10 Best Gun Cleaners – Top Picks and Reviews

Over the years, a lot of debate has emerged over what brand has the best gun cleaner. And this has resulted in many gun owners finding it a bit challenging to come up with the gun cleaner that they think is best suited for their guns. Before we continue, we just want to let you know that the majority of gun cleaning kits do not come with gun cleaning solvents and you might have to get that separately. 

Also, I’m sure you know that your gun needs a proper cleaning to function properly. In as much as getting a solvent that you deem fit for you might be challenging, we have done the bulk of the work for you. We have done critical research on the best gun cleaners out there, we have eliminated some products and have kept 10 of the best gun cleaners on our list for you to examine.

In this article, we have highlighted our top picks of gun cleaners, stated their features, what we like about each of them and what we don’t like about them.

Let’s dive right into the review!

Reviews of the Best Gun Cleaners

Break-Free CLP-2 

Hoppe’s No.9 Gun Bore Cleaning Solvent 

Sage and Braker Mercantile

Ballistol Multi-Purpose Oil

Slip 2000 EWL

Lucas Gun Oil

M-pro 7 LPX Gun Oil

Hoppe’s No.9 Lubricating Oil

Tetra Gun Grease

Pro Shot Friction Needle Oiler

Riptide CLP+ Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating

Here is the list of our top picks of best gun cleaner. Now let’s take a deep look into each of these cleaners, hereby, accessing their individual features, prowess, pros and cons and many more.

Break-Free CLP-2

As a part of our research process, we conducted a very brief survey asking people about their experiences with various gun cleaners. Interestingly, one of the names that kept popping up during this process is the break-free gun cleaner, as some users believed that it is the best gun cleaning aerosol spray that they have ever come across.

Over the years, the Break-free gun cleansing spray has risen up to be very common among arms users. In fact, it is the most commonly used gun cleaner in the US Army. Furthermore, the break-free gun cleaner can either come in spray bottles or spray cans, however, you would have to go for the variant that best suits your preference. Also, the break-free works perfect in almost any weather condition.

Lastly, it is impressive how the break free spray is able to penetrate and spread along the metal surfaces, ensuring that the oil is able to reach every bit of the gun. 

Pros

• It comes with a durable film which helps to reduce wear and tear
• It also comes with corrosion inhibitors that inhibit the formation of rust
• It is weather resistant

Cons

• Controlling the spray and regulating the amount of oil dispensed can be challenging

No.9 Hoppe’s Gun Bore Cleaner

Hoppe’s is widely known for production of excellent gun cleaners. The Hoppe’s Gun Bore Cleaner is specialized in the removal of powder, lead, metal fouling and rust. Over the years, most gun users usually love to use the Hoppe’s bore cleaner along with a CLP to clean their firearms, however, some prefer to make use of this solvent alone.

An interesting feature of this gun bore cleaner is the nice smell of the oil. Also, cleaner comes with a child proof cap which makes it safe and easy to use. Furthermore, the Hoppe’s gun bore cleaner comes with a high penetrative power that allows it to reach every crevice and pit in the gun. Lastly, the bore cleaner is made specifically for quick cleaning. How do I mean? It is made to be used with the Bore snake. The Bore snakes usually don’t come with the gun cleaning kit but they are important for a quick cleaning of your firearm and it usually takes about just five minutes. 

Pros

• It has a high penetrating power
• It is ultra-effective
• It comes with a child proof cap

Cons 

Sage and Braker Gun Cleaner

Another amazing gun cleaner on our list is the sage and Braker cleaner. The Sage and Braker smells great and it is fast and effective. With this CLP (Clean, Lube and Protect), you spend about half the time you use in cleaning your gun with other solvent. Also, its efficiency is improved with the use of bore snakes.

Furthermore, this gun cleaner is hazard free, non-toxic and hazard free and biodegradable. Also, the sage and Braker cleaner comes with oil that is able to attract dust and sand, reduce the adhesion of debris onto your gun’s surface and as a result increases its efficiency and longevity. Lastly, it comes with excellent heat dissipation mechanics that allows your firearm to remain cool even in hot temperatures.

Pros

• The cleaner comes with a high penetrating power
• The cleaner comes with a formula that provides carbon and contamination management
• It smells nice
• It is non-toxic and biodegradable oil

Cons

• It often leaves a strong and unpleasant smell after use.

Ballistol Multi-Purpose Oil

The Ballistol multi-purpose oil is very similar in action to the Break-free oil as both cleaners have been put to use for decades. The Ballistol aerosol spray was first used by the Germans hundreds of years ago by scientists. The scientists worked on developing a formula that would be a universal cleaning compound for cleaning all sorts of weapons. Interestingly, the emergence of this oil spray in the market became widely known as users not only used it in cleaning their guns but also, in cleaning their boots, knives, gun holsters, clothes, engines and many more materials.

The Balistol aerosol cleaning spray was designed to be non-toxic and biodegradable and it comes with great smell. Also, another interesting feature about this gun cleaner is its ability to neutralize the effect of sweat and skin oils due to its alkaline nature.

Pros

• Its biodegradable nature makes it non-toxic to your environment
• It can be used for the cleaning and preservation of wood, metals and plastics
• It is able to neutralize the effect of sweat and skin oils.
• It is a multi-purpose solvent

Cons

• Some people may not like the way it smells

Slip 2000 Lubricant

Another aerosol gun cleaner that cannot be sidelined is the Slip 2000 lubricant. The Slip 2000 lubricant was specially made for extreme weather conditions. It seems like the most likely option to go for if you are going to be using it in a very harsh environment, that is, extremely cold or hot weather conditions. It is imperative to note that other gun cleaning solvents and lubricants can also be used in harsh weather conditions, however, the Slip 2000 lubricant proves to be a more suitable and perfect fit as it was specially made for such purpose.

Another amazing feature about the Slip 2000 lubricant is that it is able to stay wet 5 times longer than other traditional lube out there. As a result of this, you are able to reduce friction along moving the various moving parts of your firearm. Aside from this, the lube is made with certain elements that prevents it from attracting dust, dirt and sands and it also impedes corrosion of your weapon.

Lastly, it is health and environmental-friendly and.

Pros

• It is non-toxic
• It is corrosion resistant
• It has a long lasting effect on your firearm

Cons

• This option might be a bit messy to use because the lubricant is always very thin.

Lucas Gun Oil

The Lucas gun oil is an odorless lube that is commonly used among hunters. The Lucas oil was developed to stop overheating and jamming in high-caliber rifles and machine guns. All you have to do is to put a few drops of the oil on your pistol’s bolt and you are as good as new. 

The take home with this oil is that it is very affordable for you to purchase and a small bottle will last for a very long time as only a few drops are needed per use. Also, it is important to know that this oil is not a CLP and it can only be used for lubricating your weapons after you have properly cleaned it with your CLP solvent. The Lucas oil often works as a gun lube and protector.

Pros

• It is safe to use on fishing reels
• It is an excellent household oil
• It has an amazing long-term storage

Cons

• Upon purchase, you only get an ounce of the oiler

M-pro 7 LPX Gun Oil

When it comes to the subject of the best gun cleaning oil, one of the popular brands that keeps popping up is the M-pro 7 oil. Oftentimes, it’s best if this solvent is used along with the M-Pro bore snake. The M-Pro oil acts as a lubricant and a protector, therefore, you have to use it with a separate cleaner to get the maximum efficiency from it.

Furthermore, the M-Pro oil leaves a non-evaporative film that repels dust and dirt from the surface of your gun. Also, the oil is made in combination with a high synthetic oil and LPX additives synthesized from technology with one of the lowest known friction coefficients that is resistant to evaporation and gumming.

Pros

• It is an excellent dust and dirt repellant
• It is resistant to corrosion and evaporation

Con

• The product bottle needs to be upgraded and standardized

Hoppe’s No.9 Lubricating Oil

The Hoppe’s lubricating oil comes in a beautiful bottle with a tight lid that is child proof. This lube can be combined with other gun cleaning solvents for higher efficiency. As discussed earlier, the brand Hoppe has been in existence for quite some years now and it has found its way to the top of this industry. Furthermore, most of the gun cleaning solvent out there are mostly non-synthetic. However, the Hoppe’s lubricating oil is made of synthetic compounds therefore, giving you a bit of a better taste when it comes to caring for your firearm.

This synthetic lube was designed to resist moisture and corrosion and it also works on fishing reels. The Hoppe’s lube boasts of a synthetic compound that is able to lubricate and protect your weapon from all forms of wear and tear by reducing the rate of friction among moving parts.

Pros

• It protects your gun from corrosion and moisture
• It also serves as a lubricant in fishing reels

Cons

• It is a toxic product

Tetra Gun Grease

This is an excellent preservative tool. It helps preserve your firearm and increase its lifespan. Notice that after you purchase a new gun, you would see a fine coat of grease all along its metallic parts. This is aimed at preventing corrosion. When your gun comes in an original box, it is safe to assume that It’s been greased by the producer. What I’m I aiming at? Grease is made to preserve your gun for a long period. In this respect, the Tetra grease is colorless grease with a very strong smell. It is meant to be applied to your gun before you store it on the shelf.

I know some of you are asking yourself, why not use oil instead of grease? The catch is, the grease lasts longer on your gun unlike your oils that can rapidly evaporate or harden and as a result, damage your firearm over time. However, it is advisable to remove the grease and clean your gun with a CLP before you use it.

Pros

• Quick to apply
• It is very easy to use
• It thrives under harsh temperature

Cons 

Pro Shot Friction Needle Oiler

Many gun users love to have a needle oiler in their gun kit. If you fall into this category of users, then the Pro shot friction needle oiler may just be perfect for you. it comes in a little bottle that contains a red liquid and a better needle. The Pro shot oiler does not only protect your gun’s surface but it also helps to clean and lube every part of your gun that you touch with the needle.

The needle oiler is specifically designed for the spots crevices that are difficult to reach while cleaning. Also, the Pro shot friction oil contains antioxidants and anti-wear additives. 

Pros

• It is very affordable
• It is quite the alternative for other traditional application methods
• Contains anti-wear and anti-oxidative properties

Cons 

Riptide CLP+ Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating

The CLP gun cleaner is regarded as an evolution of traditional ceramic coating tech. in the late 60s, military personnel often used ceramic coating to clean and protect their guns. However, the ceramic coatings were always very difficult to apply. Therefore, Riptide came up with a solution to curbing this difficult problem. The new Riptide Graphene spray coatings.

 This coating is easy to apply and they can easily last up to five years. The Graphene spray coating comes with an authentic formula, coupled with an easy application technique that allows you to protect your firearm from carbon build-up. This process makes the cleaning of your weapon very easy, especially after use. Furthermore, the Riptide CLP can be applied on your firearm before, during or after use.

Pros

• It is effective on all surface
• It is an all-purpose gun cleaner
• It is easy to apply
• It lasts long

Cons

Things to Consider When Using a Gun Cleaning Solvent 

Sometimes, selecting the right gun cleaning solvent can be very difficult for you. This is because there are a lot of gun cleaning solvent out there today. However, we hope that we have been able to streamline your choices to a few of the very best gun cleaning solvent available in the market today. But, after discussing this, we felt it might be helpful to discuss more on various things you need to put into consideration when you are using your gun cleaning solvent.

Secure Your Firearm

First and foremost, while you are cleaning your firearm, you have to be sure to secure your firearm with the use of a good gun vise. A gun vise will prevent you from damaging your gun barrels and other parts of your gun. Also, always try to avoid the use of traditional gun vise, as it may easily cause damage to your firearm.

Use a Good Gun Cleaning Mat

Cleaning CLP from your wooden table can be very strenuous and excruciating. Therefore, it is very advisable to get a DIY gun mat to cover your working surfaces as you clean your gun on top of it.

The Weather

One of the most significant factors to consider when cleaning your gun with the CLPs is the climate. For instance, it is way unadvisable to use an aerosol spray in the freezing cold weather as you may have to cater to some freezing problems. The type of solvents you use in cleaning your gun should be well suited to the climate you’ll be working in.

Types of Firearms

Different solvents are suited for different firearms depending on the nature of the surface, the cost of the firearm and some other factors. For instance, if you own a rifle worth five grand, you might want to pay more attention to the kind of solvents you will use in cleaning your rifle.

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Gun Solvent

Just like any other machine, regular cleaning and proper management often prevents malfunctions and allows your gun to always function properly when you are ready to use it. However, there are a lot of solvents to choose from when it comes to cleaning your gun. This is why we have detailed some key features that you have to carefully consider before getting a gun cleaning solvent.

Compatibility with Your Firearm

As stated earlier, not all solvents are suitable for all kinds of firepower. Before getting a gun cleaning solvent, make sure you confirm its compatibility with your weapon before making a purchase.

Type of Solvent

After you have confirmed the compatibility of the solvent with your weapon, you will have to decide on the type of cleaning solvent you’d prefer to use on your firearm. However, there are four major options you can consider:

Liquid solvents: liquids are efficient when it comes to removal of copper, lead, and carbon residues in your gun. However, they can become messy if you apply too much at a time.

Aerosol sprays: Aerosol sprays are well known for their excellent job in removing debris or other built-up residues from within your gun compartments. They find it easier to reach all components of your gun compared to the other type of solvents.

CLP cleaners: aside from cleaning, CLPs are designed to lubricate and protect your firearms. The CLP cleaners are able to expunge debris and grimes from your guns. However, using too much at a time can reduce the performance of your firearm.

Foaming solvents: foaming solvents are easier to apply on your guns than the liquid solvents and they won’t make too much mess as much as the liquid solvents. They are made for removing built-up residue in your firearm.

Quantity and Cost

Lastly, you want to compare different prices of various options you have and weigh them side by side with the quantity of solvents that you get in return.

Our Verdict

Having the best gun cleaner is very significant to the performance of your firearm. We would advise you not to go for a cleaner just because of its big name or its price but put all factors stated above into consideration. Be at peace with yourself and be sure that your choice of cleaner is compatible with your type of weapon. However, we hope that with this article, selecting your best gun cleaner would be much easier. Just to let you know, our top pick gun cleaner is the Riptide CLP+ Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating. It comes with features that have revolutionized the action and application of gun cleaners in our modern age. As usual, the choice is yours, what I consider best might not work for you. so, take your time to read and digest this article before deciding what your best gun cleaner is.