Ballistol

[David-K]

Any thoughts, good or bad? I'm curious about this product and have considered switching to it. But, wanted some input from anyone here that has, or continues to, use it. Thanks.

[ElvenSoul]

What are you going to use it on?

[seebogo]

I've used it on my pistols for over a year now. Over 3000 rounds of brass surplus alledgedly corrosive 9mm through my M&P and p2000. No corrosion and all look as new (less general wear of a couple of 1000 rounds each).

Also have used it on the 9mm carbine with good effects. Doesn't seem to deteriorate plastics and dries as it should from a 50/50 water mix.

I use hoppe's and CLP on my rifles and other stuff. I prefer non-ballistol in all cases. It smells odd, and seems generally messier than other lube cleaners. If it doesn't get fed surplus ammo, it doesn't get the ballistol.

Good, not bad, just don't prefer it.

[David-K]

Thanks seebogo, that's exactly the info I'm after. I'm a fairly recent Frog Lube convert from BreakFree CLP and frankly, its its just not all that it's cracked up to be. So, before I go back BF CLP, thought I'd get some input into Ballistol.

[BruinGuy]

Some people will say that newer lubricants have the benefit of the last 60 plus years of development. I say, nuts to that. I am a Ballistol convert!

I use it in place of oil. It's not a cleaner substitute, because it's not got any solvent action. But for lightly oiling metal surfaces or putting a drop on rotating parts, I like it. It is great for milsurps. Personally, I find CLP rather thin as a lubricant. That is good for some guns, not so great for others. I use CLP "Collector" for preservative purposes because it is more viscous and sticks to the metal better, rather than slowly flowing off.

I also love the smell of Ballistol. Some people hate it. I'd use it as a salad dressing if only it tasted as good as it smells! (That's a benefit, by the way - it's 100% non-toxic).

[uxo2]

I use it for corrosive ammo

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I learned the CLP gospel in the military and but longer care for it. Nowadays I use Eezox and Hoppes.

If you happen to LTC, Eezox is especially superior because it dries (yet is there) and it also smells good. Nothing sucks more than having a holstered semi auto dripping CLP on your shirt and pants.

[sd_shooter]

It's my main CLP. (I've also used BF and WeaponShield.) I like the smell and the fact that it's non-toxic.

[Zartan]

I use it to clean my XD, CZ,and AR. So far so good!

[350skylark]

I started using balistol first thing when i got into firearms (mostly because hickok45) and decided i would try some other things later on. I keep going back to balistol its great. I got the bottle version instead of the spray and it has lasted a long time.

[Jimmy310]

Im with Bruin guy, i use it as an oil and to protect the outside of my pistols/rifles.

For pistols and certain rifle stuff like the ar lowers(not that it gets dirty often), i use hoppes #9. For stuff like Ak's, AR bcg's, and pump shotguns i use brake cleaner. Its cheap and makes for one hell of a solvent. I keep it away from plastics though. It does leave a residue so everything gets wiped down with ballistol and a microfiber towel.

Some people will say that newer lubricants have the benefit of the last 60 plus years of development. I say, nuts to that. I am a Ballistol convert!

I use it in place of oil. It's not a cleaner substitute, because it's not got any solvent action. But for lightly oiling metal surfaces or putting a drop on rotating parts, I like it. It is great for milsurps. Personally, I find CLP rather thin as a lubricant. That is good for some guns, not so great for others. I use CLP "Collector" for preservative purposes because it is more viscous and sticks to the metal better, rather than slowly flowing off.

I also love the smell of Ballistol. Some people hate it. I'd use it as a salad dressing if only it tasted as good as it smells! (That's a benefit, by the way - it's 100% non-toxic).

[Twystd1]

Back in the day.
I used Ballistol exclusively for Milsurps.

Since those days.

I think I have tried just about every trick lube and CLP that is commercially available.

I now use Synth motor oil for 90% of all lubrication duties.

I do use Slip 2000 inside all of my barrels as a final coating after cleaning. And I patch out as much of the Slip 2000 as I can after this final lubrication process..
IMHO.... All oils that are left in the barrel will turn into carbon at some point. Carbon in barrel = bad

I use Slip inside the barrel for a reason.
Because it is a thinner oil than the synthetic. And easier to patch out.
Everything else is lubed with Synth motor oil.

After many 1000s of rounds of milsurp corrosive primed ammo. I have found zero additional corrosion inside my barrels, gas pistons and ancillary items when I use synthetic oils and/or Slip 2000 inside my guns versus Ballistol. (Or any other gun specific oil for that matter)

Note: I use whatever Valvoline or Mobil1 10/30 Synthetic that is on sale at my auto parts store.

When you own and shoot as many guns as I have. The synth oil saves me a lot of money every year. As Gun specific oil can cost 10 - 30 times the price of a can of motor oil. And in my opinion. Doesn't work any better.

That is my experience. Yours may well be different.

T

PS. With rare exception. I no longer use ANY barrel cleaner with ammonia. My bore scope shows it speeds up throat erosion. Thats just my opinion. I have no empirical data to back that up. Thats just what I have surmised from looking at chambers for a few years. (Like 20 years)

[VegasND]

I've used Ballistol for years and intend to keep using it.

[navydad2010]

Recent convert to ballistol..started as patch lube ..works great on leather too
Been using it on everything..well almost everything..

[EL_NinO619]