The Use Of Mineral Spirits For Gun Cleaning
BY Herschel Smith
2 years, 6 months ago
If you recall when discussing the Beretta 1301, I posed the question why Ernest used mineral spirits to clean shotguns rather than routine stuff (e.g., Hoppes solvent). I never got any answers from my smart readers, so I posed the question to Langdon Tactical, and got this answer.
Hoppes is a Bore solvent only. Mineral Spirits cleans the inside and outside and doesn’t leave any residue. We recommend Lucas gun oil, we have found that it is the best overall oil.
Slugs are personal preference, you’re able to use them no issues, but it’s all preference whether to use rifled or not. We don’t recommend any chokes, we believe what the gun comes with works the best!
I may have to try out Lucas gun oil. I don’t have any of that.
I thought you might be interested.
On September 29, 2021 at 10:43 pm, dave in pa. said:
sounds a bit like “ed’s red oil” from ed harris back in the 1950’s fame.
I used that for years now and never had a problem with any of my firearms.
ed’s cleaner compound works very well also. I make a gallon batch under 20 bucks.
On September 29, 2021 at 10:50 pm, George 1 said:
Interesting. I will have to try the mineral spirts. The owner of Battlefield Vegas is asked lots of questions on AR15.com due to the severe round counts they put weapons through. I read one of his posts where he also said that Lucas gun oil is the best they have tried.
On September 29, 2021 at 10:56 pm, Herschel Smith said:
@George 1,
I have some Wilson Combat gun oil for 1911s that I used pretty much on everything (including long guns) and like it, but it’s not cheap.
But I will certainly try Lucas.
On September 29, 2021 at 11:23 pm, RHT447 said:
I have been using Mobil 1™ 15W-50 for some years now on just about everything, including grease points on Garands and M1A’s. Works great, stays where you put it, even when hot. If you need something a bit lighter, thin it with a little ATF.
On September 30, 2021 at 12:31 am, Ohio Guy said:
@RHT447 That is a great lubricant. It has a flashpoint of about 450 degrees f. If it’s good for Mecedes Benz, it’s good for AR.
On September 30, 2021 at 12:42 am, Factions Speak Louder Than Herds said:
It is the same Lucas of the motor oil maker?
Search says…it is!
Hoppes is a must have in the care and cleaning kit and it smells good but is not recommended for sniffing.
Some Hoppes on a boresnake after a session is good for your barrel.
A lil’ dab’ll do ya as Johnny Bench used to say.
Under $10 for two liquid ounces online for the Lucas and it shows a recommendation for a lube called Ballistol that is news to me.
On September 30, 2021 at 1:52 am, ROFuher said:
I had never heard of Ballistol until moving to NZ, where folks sweat by it, for firearms and any number of other things. I believe it is an American product, though.
On September 30, 2021 at 1:53 am, ROFuher said:
I had never heard of Ballistol until moving to NZ, where folks swear by it, for firearms and any number of other things. I believe it is an American product, though.
On September 30, 2021 at 6:06 am, Elmo said:
It’s always good to support Lucas Oils. Mr. Lucas does a lot to support people like us.
Remember, Dwight and Steve Hammond flew home on Mr. Lucas’ private jet after they were released from prison?
On September 30, 2021 at 7:39 am, Nosmo said:
I’ve been using a 50-50 mix of Mobil 1 0-30W and Mobile 1 ATF (ATF is SAE 24 1/2), recommended by a retired USMC armorer, for several years and found it to work well. But I will get some Lucas gun oil and give it a try.
On September 30, 2021 at 8:28 am, Bill said:
A caution when using motor oils, The gunsmith Mark Novak says to make sure to use a non-detergent oil. Detergent oils may remove rust, and blueing is a rust process. Parkerizing is a coating, and shouldn’t be affected. Everybody recommends Ballistol!
On September 30, 2021 at 9:19 am, Fred said:
Just started using Lucas Gun Oil. So far so good. It’s a red synthetic from what I gathered. It’s not pricey. No complaints but I haven’t shot a lot with it to test it or anything like that either.
On September 30, 2021 at 10:02 am, Paul B said:
Have use Lucas. Works good. Also have used ballistol. that stuff is pretty good as well.
Need to find some Lucas as think I am about out.
On September 30, 2021 at 6:26 pm, X said:
Local Advance Auto had some Lucas gun oil, marked down from $4 to 75 cents. I bought several. It’s good stuff.
On October 1, 2021 at 9:54 am, Russell G. said:
Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Period.
End of story.
Save your money for the primer scalpers.
Kerosine is the solvent in Hoppes #9 with Oleic Acid as the “soap.”
Kerosine; Mineral spirits; Apples and apples in terms of carbon and combustion products in/on steel surfaces. Just a difference in the cracking tower and the tank.
Hoppes Elite will do a better job all the way around, especially with copper and lead boolit skid marks. Since it’s water based you can also do black powder/corrosive primer residue residue with confidence without getting all the rust and PITA from the water cleaning voodoo.
Try an experiment….do all you can do with your organic solvents in the bore then run a bore mop down there soaked with Elite. Let it sit. Tell me what you see on the mop after about 15 minutes…Hint: it will be real black mixed in with real blue.
On October 1, 2021 at 12:36 pm, Matt said:
Started using Lucas about a year ago. I like it.
On October 2, 2021 at 8:26 pm, bobdog said:
I keep a jar of mineral spirits on the shelf to soak chokes in every once in a while. Does a pretty good job.
I stopped using oil on shotguns and rifle bolt lugs a while back. It’s far better on sliding parts than oil because it has much better shear strength. I never use oil on shotgun hinges.