Ballistol has served me well for a long time. It is my one stop cleaning, lube, and storage product. After years of use, I can testify that it works great for longer-term (6 month to a year) storage and rust prevention. All my guns run great on this stuff. Thanks, Johnny!!
I use Ballistol religiously!! I use only Ballistol for cleaning & protection. I don't own a single firearm with a dirty bore or any surface rust. A few of those have seen some extreme weather too. Still no issues. The stuff is gold in a can!!
Ballistol has always served my family well with taking care of firearms for the past 100 years. My grandfather used it. My father, myself, and soon my kids will all use this to clean and maintain our firearms. Sure there are better perservers. Sure there are better cleaners. But as a do it all while being non toxic and for a good price there's no reason to switch. I use other specific lubricants for lube but as a cleaner and preservative, this is it.
Great review of this product. I have been using this on all of my firearms from black powder muskets to my AR-15 rifle. Always works great and if you continue to use Ballistol over time. The firearm becomes easier to clean and fouling does not stick.. kinda like seasoning a black powder skillet. Here is a great tip to clean any rifle or pistol with a 22 cal. bore. The crown and the rifling can be damaged by cleaning rods. Find some .095 string trimmer line cut it 10-12 inches longer than the bore. Sharpen one end with a knife and melt the other end into a ball a tad smaller than .22 inches dia. Get a pre-cut .22 cal patch (found at gun stores) puncture the center of the patch with the string trimmer line and move the patch to the melted end. All a few drops of Ballistol and pull the patch through the bore. Repeat this a few times.. then follow with a boresnake... and more Ballistol patches. The bore comes out clean and the crown and rifling are protected. Found this suggestion in the Pennsylvania Game News.
Love the channel my good man....i'm a gunsmith/range officer....i too use bore snakes if i want to clean in a pinch, but don't let it fool you......Do your own testing....after cleaning hundreds of firearms, i realized that even after using the bore snake, i would go back and use a regular old brass brush and push rod, then run the oleee wipes down the barrel....a SHIT LOAD of carbon was still coming out of my riffling after snaking it a good 10 to 12 times....the problem is they don't rotate with your riffling when you yank the snake down your barrel (gigitty)....i'd say if you shoot a lot and you use bore snakes, once or twice a year, use a dedicated cleaner (like Ballistol) and clean your barrel to its entirety old school style!!...keep up the awesome channel my good man...and hopefully in the next few months i'll have my own youtube channel up and running, so you and your boa can make fun of me :-)
My feelings exactly re: the Bore Snake. Last time I used Ballistol (with phosphor-bronze brushes, patches, jags, and "push rods") to clean an SAA clone after running 50 rounds of a lead bullet "cowboy" load through it, I thought the bore surely must be clean and lead-free once the patches started coming out nearly white. Inspecting the dry bore with a bore light failed to confirm it as clean, so I made a couple passes through the bore with my Lewis Lead Remover (LLR): multiple strips of lead 1/4 inch long came out. It took 4 such passes to all the lead out, followed up with more brushing and more patches soaked with Ballistol before they came out clean again. Did Ballistol loosen the lead so that the LLR could get it out easier? Maybe. I'm pretty sure the Bore Snake alone (with Ballistol or another product) would not have gotten the lead out. It took several cleaning tools to get the job done. I guess I could swear off lead bullets for the .45 Colt cartridge, but at this point I'm not willing to do that.
my dad owned hundreds of guns and only used ballistol. nice wood handle colt pythons to ak47s to model 60 22s. his guns were always in mint condition. I tried for yrs to rebel and use other stuff. now I'm back to ballistol only. I've just found i don't need anything else.
I really like this stuff! I have a a really old ( from the 1890's) 30/40 Kraig Jorgensen rifle that has been sitting for decades, Ballistol loosened every up like new. The best thing is that the oil doesn't soften the wood. Ive learned to be patient with it and allow it to soak and work. Its almost magical . It smells terrible, but it doesn't harm wood, rubber, and plastic. Im a ham radio operator, i use Ballistol to keep my equipment clean and protected. I cleaned up two 35 year old Kenwood shortwave transceiver radios that my buddy bought from an old fellow that apparently never washed his hands😳 i used Ballistol on all of the pushbuttons and knobs nooks and crannies , it removed all of that gummy crud from everything, it didn't harm the painted tampos or lables from the buttons ando knobs using cotton buds. These old radios looked almost new. Even the years of grime on the chassis was removed- no paint was harmed. As for my firearms I've always used Hoppes, but Ballistol is safe to use. I just wish it smelled like Hoppes ( who doesn't love the smell of Hoppes?!) So i clean and protect everything with Ballistol. The only thing i use different with my firearms is i use gun grease on the main pin on the bolt of my AR's ( so it doesn't get gaulded into the bolt- Ballistol works but it usually gets burned off from that pin and cooks itself in there).
Love Ballistol - it works, and super easy to use plus, it doesn't harm my old wooden stocks. as for the smell : it seems to have a different smell each time I use it. it's bizarre. I don't like the smell when it's freshly applied, but once it sits, it has a mild licorice scent. but I use it on my boots, leather belts too, plus my fishing gear. but it simply cant be beat for the guns, it doesn't work as fast as Hoppes on the carbon buildup, but give it a little bit and it will get it done. best part is that it does it all, and won't harm your skin.
We've been using Ballistol since we started shooting. We switched to Froglube last year which seemed to work well too but we're back to Ballistol again. Dad likes it because its eco and its a all in one CLP. Makes cleaning simple. We do use alcohol for the grips and lower parts of our 22/45s though. Don't want those parts getting all oily.
I really want to use Froglube! I did for a long time, but the coagulation issue made me stop using it. Smells great and I think most folks say its just coconut oil? I think so. But what do you do. I'm with you on the one-stop-CLP. I still use Gun Scrubber and alcohol. But for a quick clean, Ballistol down the pipe and put the gun away. Thanks as always, CGGs!
I use lots of that stuff. I think its great! I read an article where in WWI, soldiers used it on their feet to prevent trench foot! Thanks for the review!
Ballistol has only 1% inorganic compounds. Its important to understand how much more carcinogenic the competition really is. If you break it all down nothing is as good as ballistol. It really does the job well and it does clean, protect and lubricate. The Germans got this product right. No need to look for newer and more toxic gimics.
Two non-aerosol 16 oz bottles (32 oz total) with a spray cap on Amazon for $29 shipped is probably the lowest I've seen. The aerosol version is a waste of money. You can transfer some to a small plastic dropper bottle to work on guns. This stuff is excellent, and it can be stored indefinitely.
I’m Mike, and I’m happy too! Lol. In all seriousness I have ballistol but never really gave it a fair shake. Tonight I’ll strip my pistol and apply this, and if I like it I’ll do my AR and other guns too. I’m sure I won’t have a problem with it. I’m in the middle of the Loki gong and hating the smell as well leaning a little more on the I like it side.
I just bought a 16 ounce non-aerosol can for about $19. This is my main cleaning and lube product though I experiment with other things when I get a free sample.
I've used balistol mixed woth beeswax and mineral oil. I make it sort of soft in a tin container for general use in the woods. Balm, lotion and even gets rid of bugs. I also takes care of leathers, knives, wood and general waterproofing. It's not a lube for say but I can be pressed in to that role.
I use it on all my pistols and like Ballistol's smell and non-petroleum base much more than Breakfree Mil-spec, which I absolutely have to use on my Arsenal AK. And unlike Breakfree, Ballistol is safe indoors. The only caveat to Ballistol is that if you don't clean a gun with it after 3 weeks or so, you need to lube the rails and contact points with some kind of synthetic gun oil, like M Pro 7 LPX.
I live in Phoenix, where humidity is rarely an issue. So Ballistol is ideal. I soak a dirty gun, let it set for a while, then clean it down. (I also use bore snakes.) Just enough of a film to protect, but not enough to attract a lot of grime. I also use a fan, but I've gotten used to the very unique smell of Ballistol.
I use ballistol for a lot of things. It's not the best at any one thing, but it's good at quite a few things. I keep an aerosol can, a spray bottle, and I keep some in a eye dropper. It stinks to high heaven, but it works.
I use Ballistol for deep cleaning on all my firearms after being fired, and Rusty's Rags for finish up and ongoing touch up. Hoppes gun oil or grease for lubrication. For quick cleaning I'll use a boresnake but for detail fine work I'll use a bore brush and rod. I don't mind the smell I can live with it, the wife on the other hand... not so much.
Just looked up Rusty's. Never heard of them. You'd think a gun cleaning company would not want to name their product Rusty's. Good cleaning procedure, chemautotroph!
I often use Rem Oil and/or Hoppe's, but more often than not it's Ballistol. I use a mixture of Ballistol and water (usually about a 1 to 3 or 4 solution) in a spray bottle for cleaning all my black powder firearms, every time I use them. Works great. I have some small plastic cups (condiment size, maybe 1 ounce) I spray liquids into for use. The cups come with lids, so I can save any excess I may want.
very good stuff. I've found nothing better than corrosion x for corrosion removal and prevention, that's still what I use for all saltwater gear, but ballistol is better for most things around the house, like tools, knives you'll use for food contact etc. it wipes off very clean, leaves no visible residue. I LOVE the smell. rotting pine trees lol. I'm weird like that, but I love it.
Hi Johnny, I can usually buy the 6 oz. Ballistol at local gun shows for 10 to 12 bucks. I don't have an issue with the lovely aroma but I won't be using it as aftershave either. Like the properties of the product as you have described.....Thanks for the good video!
Ballistol smells like chlorinated bacon fat IMO. I hate it when I first spray it, but I don't mind the smell a couple of days later. If it smelled more like WD-40 it would probably be the only CLP I use. Keep in mind that it's Biodegradable so if you have a can that has been sitting for more than two years, or it has been exposed to heat or sunlight, the formula begins breaking down and the smell becomes more rancid.
I prefer pb blaster and Marvel Mystery Oil the pb is a penetrating oil that does an exceptional job on rust as well as carbon removal and leaves a residue that prevents rust. on average runs around $4 a can.The Marvel Mystery oil is a mechanics choice that I have been using for the last 50 years on my guns it is an excellent cleaner and moisture repellent also a great gasoline additive in any vehicle lawn mower etc cleans carbon off valves fuel injectors and gunk out of fuel systems.also is a good pre-oil change additive to break down deposits before you change oil. It also has a nice smell to it and is available at any parts store and wal-mart.
It cleans well but I couldn't get used to all the oil it left behind. The oil would collect dirt faster than my other cleaning methods. I don't mind smells but it made me cough unless I have ventilation. I use an aerosol can of Corrosion X after any range trips now. It is easy to use indoors, cleans well, and doesn't grease up my gun as much. I keep a big bottle of Hoppes #9 for the occasional deeper cleaning. I still keep the ballistol around for antique rifles because it is hard to ruin anything with it. It will probably be useful for when I get back into black powder too.
Ballistol is a very good product but it does have some draw backs. Depending on where you get it, it can be quite pricy and especially if you use the aerosol version, it can be quite stinky and bothersome. It's great for cleaning old guns since it also treats wood and can remove harmful residue caused by corrosive ammo when mixed with water. I've even heard of people just spaying Ballistol down their barrel after shooting corrosive ammo without mixing it with water and it still prevented corrosion, but I would still recommend mixing it with water. I don't use it when cleaning my new guns just to cut down on cost.
I used to use Ballistol. Good stuff no doubt. But then I tried Clenzoil. I’ve been using that for a couple of years now and I don’t see myself switching to anything else anytime soon. It can also be a bit of an acquired taste as far as the smell goes. But personally, I would use it as aftershave! 😂
I am researching Balistoll for Axes, hatchets, and woodworking tools, and who should I find talking about it. Had no idea you had been on the tube for this long. Do you still use this with your firearms or have you moved to something else?
Regardless of how it smells, the smell ir does have is to strong for folks around me at work or at home, so I rarely use it in high amounts to keep everyone from dealing with the smell. Wish it just didn't come with a scent and it would be awesome.
I did not know you have been on youtube this long. I just found this video on accident when I was looking up reviews on Ballistol. You looked so different, I almost didn't recognize you.
Do you know that Ballistol also has an 'off label' use? In Germany it is also approved for treating minor abrasions, cuts, scrapes and so on. I do not know why it is not recommended for this on the US label or literature. amazon does have a good price on the different ones, and the LIQUID instead of the aerosol!!! The liquid can be sprayed or put into a needle-tip oiler and one large can will last forever!
Nice! I really like Ballistol...but that smell has just pushed me over the edge. It had me to the point where I was dreading cleaning guns. But boy it works. Thanks for stopping by, Julian!
I remember reading a report that tried to say that Ballistol had carcinogens in it. Well what the report failed to mention, was that it wasn't Ballistol that had the carcinogens in it, it was the aerosol components that every aerosol can has. That's why Ballistol actually started offering non-aerosol hand spray cans. I love that Ballistol took initiative to make this offer to the public, because they sure didn't have to do this, but they went the extra mile for people and I appreciate that, so Ballistol is my only gun cleaning and multi-purpose product. Ballistol is safe to use in the house, even though it has quite a pungent licorice smell. The smell of Ballistol doesn't bother me none, and I know it's safe in a not so well ventilated area.
I use Ed's Red Bore Cleaner sans Acetone. Best CLP ever used and cheap and easy to mix. For lube, synthetic motor oil. To remove lead, I use products specifically engineered for that purpose (but, I only shoot lead bullets in 22lr, .45acp and occasionally a revolver); and, for copper I just use Windex (I only remove copper when it starts effecting accuracy; but, I don't remove it all). fwiw
Johnny, I'm not a big fan of clean and lube single products. If I clean my firearm I dont want to leave oily residue. I clean with mineral spirits and oil with mineral oil. I've been doing that for 25years with great results. Save your money for ammo not cleaning products. Just my two cents.
Huge fan of ballistol all I use but after I use it I like to add more lube because I wipe down the ballistol fully even though it’s a cleaner and Lubricant add little extra lube ( gun butter for lube ).
While I'm a fan of Ballistol, I use a variety of things depending on the circumstances. These include Gun Scrubber, acetone, oven cleaner, brake cleaner, commercial degreaser, anti-grease dish soap and water followed by WD-40, ammonia, isopropyl alcohol, Hoppes, SuperClean™, CitraStrip, mineral spirits, etc. to name a few.
Siesta time up above said that he dilutes for black powder use. I jumped over to Ballistol's website...yep, they say to dilute for black powder. I learned something today!
I just tried Break free CLP for the first time. I like it. I oil with Hoppe's oil. I want to try Ballistol but all of the local gun shops refuse (that's right, refuse) to carry it.
Yeah nothing wrong with Break Free or Hoppe's. I went to Ballistol on the recommendation of a friend. And it being a one-stop-shop, I like only using one product. Thank the Lord for Amazon!
Hoppies elite foam cleaner, qtips dipped in ballistol rubbed all over inside and out of the slide and barrel left to set for 10min than M-pro 7gun oil on the inside hood of the slide where the barrel rubbs against and all over the barrel m pro 7 gun grease for the rails. I run 9mm S&W performance Shield
What temperature ranges does Ballistal recommend it be used? I know I have to use different lubricants/cleaners durning the cold/frigid hunts in December and January.
I had to do Amazon the first time. But its caught on at my local store...and then I stumbled onto it a commercial HVAC store. Thanks for watching, Reed!
I use Break "the Army got me addicted to it" free to clean my guns, I use Hoppes #9 for date night cologne, the wife loves how manly it smells. Unfortunately I have only seen Balistol on RU-vid none of the local stores have it here in northern Komifornia.
Don't get the pump spray can. Mine leaked all over the cabinet had to clean up three shelves, lost all the product and made the whole place stink. I don't know how well it worked, all I remember is the total disaster mess and miserable clean up.
180 Second Ideas or like a German Imperial Army marching to annex your country..... I guess it depends how old you are and where you spent your years of youth ;)
hı everyone.is there anybody who can explain me using Ballistol, step by step.I have AR-15 Rifle called "Derya MK12". For exc."After how many using (after 250 or 500 cartridge), which part of rifle and how?". Thanks in advance.
Also as many have mentioned here before. Don't waste your money on the Aerosol OR the Hand Spray version, unless you absolutely need that cone misting application. Because it's better to just buy the stuff in those 16oz regular cans, or go for the gallon!!! Transfer the Ballistol into a dropper bottle, either glass or plastic, doesn't matter, and then use the drops to apply to cloth and whatnot.
what do you mean " it absolutely works" does it hold up to heat and friction for a prolonged period of time ? everything I see on this stuff is 5-9 years old. Can it compete with the synthetics that are also eco friendly of today ?
HOW THE HELL do you get the F'ing little red straw stuck in he nozzle? I have tried and tried with NO LUCK. They must be perverts to even include the stupid obstinate little red straw.
