Solvent alternatives to Hoppes

[Maddawg46]

Blasphemy! Hoppes and guns are one and the same. My wife loves the smell of Hoppes. She said too bad they don't make a cologne in Hoppes.

[bigbearbear]

The FrogLube Solvent is odorless, if you're looking for solvent only, it is a good product for that. You did not mention what type of firearm(s) and how many of them you're cleaning, so cost might be a factor if you're cleaning firearms that has large bore area (eg. shotgun) or if you have many firearms.

Consider also using WD40, it works pretty well as a solvent and is pretty cheap. You can get them by the gallon can from Home Depot. Remember to lube your firearms after cleaning because WD40 isn't that good a lubricant or long term rust protectant.

[NOTABIKER]

after being away from gun cleaning for 40 years, the first time i opened a bottle of hoppes it instantly brought back fond memory's of cleaning my Remington simi auto 22lr i had as a kid. i love the smell.

[ifilef]

QD Electronic Cleaner at Walmart.

[adamjay]

It's good to be careful and aware of any poisonous chemical vapors, especially in a house with kids. Ventilation is good.

MSDS (materials safety data sheet) will usually tell you about ingredients and toxicity of anything you buy in this country. Available on demand.

I like the smell of Hoppes but try not to huff it too much.
I often use my gun oil for light cleaning in the house.

(Donning flame suit in anticipation of crusty old-timers)

[axhoaxho]

FrogLube solvents -- USDA Certified Food-Grade, Non-Toxic, Biodegradable.

[hamburger5000]

FrogLube solvents -- USDA Certified Food-Grade, Non-Toxic, Biodegradable.

I have both MPro-7 and Froglube solvent. MPro-7 definitely works better. It dissolves lead and powder residue a lot better than Froglube solvent.

[TeddyBallgame]

buy and use the Ballistol for awhile...after your wife gets a whiff of THAT smell, she'll insist you go back to using the Hoppes, problem solved

I use Ballistol all the time...I cannot put in print, in this forum, some of the comments my wife has made...it wouldn't be fair to the animals she uses in them



it doesn't bother me

[ocabj]

m PRO-7

I always use MPro-7 for cleaning, including the bore.

Note that I do follow up with Montana Xtreme copper cleaner in the bore, which is going to be more offensive to the nose than most other solvents.

[SonofWWIIDI]

I use blue wonder. It still has a smell, but its not as bad as hoppes, and is available in a spray bottle, so you can use just a bit without opening the bottle (and leaving it open), or spray it on and soak you gun. Seems to work pretty well for me, and they also have a lube/protectant which I like too. I still occasionally use the hoppes (I kinda like the smell, but I'm aware it's not good for you, so on go the fans and the doors get opened).

Solvent Green. Never heard of it? It's to die for.

Wait, isn't that made out of people?

[Bangzoom]

Liberal Tears

[Mail Clerk]

MPRO 7. I second that. No odor.
Yes. Hoppes stinks of nasty volatile solvents

I third that! No smell at all but is expensive for a nice big spray bottle.


Mail Clerk

[wild_weasel]

I also use one part Ballistol to nine parts distilled water to clean my black powder guns and to flush corrosive residue out of my guns after shooting military surplus ammunition. I have also used Simple Green and very hot water to remove preservative grease from surplus guns.

[ifilef]

I don't since we don't have a garage (mobile home), and I don't clean at the kitchen table, but our bedroom since she's of the opinion that she doesn't want them out around the kids, despite them shooting themselves, and the older one even having her own .22.

Someone suggested Breakfree CLP and I do have a can of that, so I'll see if she's fine with that before buying some m-pro7. Seems that a lot of people recommend that.

Although from what I read on Ballistol, that sounds like far superior than anything else suggested! Might have to try to find a small amount of it somewhere and give that a "sniff test".

Much thanks to the replies so far, and to any more that follow.

My experience is that 'QD Electronic Cleaner' which you can buy a spray can of at Walmart (less than $5.00), is the least malodorous, can use in kitchen sink (but clean sink thereafter with dish soap) or spray your pistol frame or slide while pointing into trash (bagged container). It indeed is a solvent and (I believe) safer than Brake Cleaner, Hoppe's, CLP, etc. Try it-I've been using it for a few years. Crud comes dripping out just as with brake cleaner, etc. Lubricate thereafter.

My experience, and I have a good sense of smell, is that Breakfree CLP definitely has an odor. Those who say it has no odor either have lost their sense of smell, or are smokers, etc.

[August]

Hot water, dish soap and old tooth brush in the kitchen sink. Lube afterwards.