Mixing Cleaning Oils

[skydive121]

I just picked up a Springfield Model 1903 (7-42) and the former owner stated that he had been cleaning all his guns with Ballistol and that I should continue to clean/lube the firearm with Ballistol because it would not be good to use a different cleaner/lube.

I have the gamut of cleaners on my bench and have used different types on the same firearm before many times.

Hmmm... Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Cokebottle]

Clean and lube normally.
You don't want to mix some of these natural or vegetable based lubricants on top of petroleum lubes, but if you go at it with a good solvent and get the surface clean, the surface is clean and ready for any lube.

Lubricant getting into the "pores" of the metal is a myth.
Closest thing that happens is the light etch of a parkerized finish will retain small amounts of oils and resist rust.

[Barbarosa]

Ballistol is good stuff, and I use it regularly, but I also use a variety of other oils/cleaners. I have never had problems mixing oils. If you are worried about it just clean off the old oil and re-oil with whatever you prefer.

If you really want to do it correctly IIRC the 1903 was designed to use sperm oil as lube, so good luck with that. Just in case you want to try sperm oil it comes from whales, not, well you know....

[Wordupmybrotha]

M-Pro 7 is great at cleaning off the existing lube so you can start fresh with your preferred product.

https://www.amazon.com/M-Pro-Cleaner-8-Ounce-Spray-Bottle/dp/B00162PQTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482546356&sr=8-1&keywords=M7pro

[sarbiker]

M-Pro 7 is great at cleaning off the existing lube so you can start fresh with your preferred product.

https://www.amazon.com/M-Pro-Cleaner...keywords=M7pro

I switched to M-Pro 7, prior to that I had some issues mixing different brands together, so I have gone to a single mfg. Almost I still use Breakfree as well with no issues mixing with the M-Pro 7.

[Calguns77]

I wouldnt be worried about switching cleaners/lube. You can always break the rifle down and strip the existing oil off the metal with some alcohol before applying the new oil.

As a huge fan of ballistol its the only cleaner I'll use on older firearms with wood stocks, since it does a good job of protecting the wood instead of possibly damaging it like other cleaners can. I've had other solvents eat away the gloss finish on stocks before.

[Divernhunter]

I switch all the time. Never had a problem and most of them are more accurate than the rifle you state. I also switch up on my mil surplus firearms.

The guy was blowing smoke up your a*s

[skydive121]

Thanks everyone.

RE: Calguns77 - yes, I know the previous owner really liked Ballistol and how it worked with wood and leather.

I did buy a bottle of it off Amazon so all said an done, I will probably use it on the 1903 anyway - the previous owner kept the rifle in such pristine condition with it that I almost feel bad shooting it... no not really

[Strykeback]

Have been using ballistol on my firearms since I started. I think hickok45 hooked me on it. I like that I can hose down a firearm for cleaning and wipe it off and its been decently cleaned and lubed all at once. Obviously detailed cleaning is another story. But I like that I don't have to worry about missing any solvent and it damaging the firearm.

That said it smells bad and the wife and kids would love if I switched to something better so I could clean in the house rather than the cold garage right now. Fireclean on the AR has been decent but expensive with all the drama on the internet.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Cokebottle]

That said it smells bad and the wife and kids would love if I switched to something better so I could clean in the house rather than the cold garage right now.

Meh.

I clean with Hoppe's in the bedroom.
She's never said a thing.

[Calguns77]

Meh.

I clean with Hoppe's in the bedroom.
She's never said a thing.

Shes a keeper.

I wish i could use hoppes since it smells so good but it gives me a horrible headache.

[CouchOperator]

Use whatever you want. Its funny how some of the M1A crowd sticks their nose up at other people just because they use an outdated design that served less time than almost any other rifle in military history due to its accuracy/reliability issues; yet they think its a direct gift from whatever god they believe in. At the end of the day, its a rifle. Figure out how it shoots and put whatever oil you want in it.