Ballistol users

[tercel89]

I am about to try some Ballistol. I have heard from people that after using it , it seems to keep carbon from sticking to the parts so bad.. Kinda like developing a nice resistance to sticking like a cast iron pan does after you use it several times.

 Is this true and what do you guys think of it ? I have always used Hoppes and now I am trying to get something easier on my body intsead of harsh cleaners and such. I have had so many things like gas , trans fluid , brake fluid and such on me in the past from working on engines that I need to get away from that stuff and chemicals like it. I read that Ballistol is carcinogen free and eco friendly and all that.

 So how does it work and does it keep carbon from building up like people say ?

 I know Hickok45 praises it . :up:

[luvmyberetta]

It's been in use for over 100 years & is really great stuff. I've always used it on every gun I've owned & it's safe for ALL gun surfaces, including wood, polymer, brass, copper, & plastic. Ballistol's water soluble so it's not actually water proof, but it's a great leather conditioner. Triple K suggests using it on their holsters on their website & I've used it for years to soften & shape leather holsters. I use it everywhere & like the fact that it's 100% safe around pets & kids, unlike many other products. Under the hood of my car, on the door seals to keep them from freezing shut during winter months, & on the internals of all my guns. It's the best product I've used to clean black powder firearms as well. It just melts the residue away. Some people don't like the smell, especially of the aerosol version. It's not a terrible smell, but can be a little strong if using in a confined space. If you can find it, the liquid bottled version has less odor since it doesn't get atomized into the air during use. I'm always going to use it & highly recommend it. Here's more on it's history... http://www.ballistol-shop.de/History-of-Ballistol:_:86.html?language=en

Edited November 12, 2015 by luvmyberetta

[leroy]

We use Ballistoil on our percussion revolvers and single actions we shoot black powder loads in... Ballistoil is water soluble and works great on them... We use the North-South Skirmish Association recipe for cleaning (...Murphys oil soap, hydrogen peroxide, windex without ammonia, and ethanol...) in equal parts for cleaning; then swab the cylinder and barrels down with the Ballistoil... The only thing ive noticed with it is that it does, in fact, stay exactly where ya put it... It will not "migrate" like some oils do... Make sure you completely cover whatever ya want to protect.. We learned this the hard way with a bit of rust on the muzzle of one of our percussion pistols... I always use Ballistoil on the inside parts, and wipe the outsides down with some sort of moisture displacing lube like Hoppes or whaever else is handy... I see this stuff as basically a lube for blackpowder firearms... 

 

This has come up before... Ya may want to do a TGO search on Ballistoil...

 

Hope this helps a bit...

leroy

[Grand Torino]

I use Ballistol in my knife shop on all my steel tools and blades. I love the stuff.

[1gewehr]

I use it on all of my firearms.  It protects against rust, lubricates, and doesn't deteriorate.  It's not a very good cleaner, but adequate in a pinch.

I also use it on wood stocks and grips as it doesn't feel oily, and won't make the wood soft like oil will.

[Will Carry]

It's called "The Good Stuff". I use in all my firearms. Spray it on, then wipe it off.

[DWARREN123]

Can be used on mil-surp that use corrosive ammo, very good for that and black powder guns.

Kind of a do all cleaner and like said can be used on multiple materials.

Smell can be strong.

[tercel89]

Can be used on mil-surp that use corrosive ammo, very good for that and black powder guns.

Kind of a do all cleaner and like said can be used on multiple materials.

Smell can be strong.

 

I am mainly getting it to use on my modern firearms but I saw you wrote it works on Mil-Surp firearms and corrosive ammo ? Thats awesome to hear. On my Mosins I am still using corrosive ammo and use Windex and hot water to clean with . So I may try Balistol on them too .

Edited November 13, 2015 by tercel89

[Garufa]

I am mainly getting it to use on my modern firearms but I saw you wrote it works on Mil-Surp firearms and corrosive ammo ? Thats awesome to hear. On my Mosins I am still using corrosive ammo and use Windex and hot water to clean with .

 

I understand a solution of Ballistol and water can be used for cleaning up after corrosive.  There is a formula on the can that I believe is a 10/90 mix...same for black powder.  I've never done it because I have about a dozen cans of WWII USGI bore cleaner.

[Oh Shoot]

... Here's more on it's history... http://www.ballistol-shop.de/History-of-Ballistol:_:86.html?language=en

 

You'd think they could afford to get a decent English translation. :)

 

- OS

[TrickyNicky]

I've been using it for the last few years and will keep using it. It doesn't score the highest marks for corrosion resistance or cleaning, but it does a good enough job at both that considering it's multiple uses for other hobbies and around the house, it makes a lot of sense to have a can or three around. I use it on my locks at home ,just spray a little on the key and work it in and out and turn it a few times, on my weather seals for car and home, obviously on my guns,on my belt, holsters kydex or leather) , and I've found it;s a great item for the guitar player as well. I spray a little bit on my nuts and then a bit on about an inch of the strings where they rest in the slots. It makes a great fretboard cleaner and I have even used it to clean up a pair of old strings rather than replace them, didn't make them like new, but I got a few more days out of them.

 

I still keep some hopes around and use it for nstalgias sake mostly. I also still keep a few other oils and greases, and foaming bore cleaner as well, but for most things the balistol does well enough that I don't give the potential performance of alternatives much thought.

[tercel89]

Thanks for the information guys :up:

[Camaro_nut2001]

I started using it after watching a few Hickok45 videos and I really like it. I think it will indeed leave a long lasting protective coating the longer I use it. I ordered a case of 6oz. aerosol cans about 6 months ago. Good luck with whatever you decide to use.

[runco]

Several years ago, after watching a lot of Hickok45 videos, had to go out and buy some ballistol to see what the hub bub was all about that he pushes.  First, I found it challenging to find ballistol on the shelf at the box stores and local gun dealers.  So on one of my many orders with Midway, I just added some ballistol to the cart.  Upon arrival, one thing is for sure, it does not smell like my favorite Hoppes #9 or another favorite 3-in-One.  Ballistol to me smells not in a favorable way and borderline stinks. 

 

After using ballistol for sometime now, the smell is my only complaint, otherwise good stuff or at least that is my perception.  Now I admit, I have not made a deep dive detail X to Y comparison of ballistol to other oils/cleaners, nor have I ran extensive tests in labatory settings, but my self proclaimed conclusion, ballistol  does appear to work and it has not disappointed me.  Will I buy again, well..............not enough data for me to consider a repurchase or run out to buy stock in the company.  I think the next gun oil/cleaner purchase will be WD40 Specialist.  Just to add another notch in the gun oil/cleaner belt.  :2cents: