Gun Cleaning

[segsarge]

Anyone ever use Kroil as a cleaning solution on their guns? I bought a can of it some time back and used it as lube after cleaning the chamber on two of my rifles. A model 99 Savage and a Model 700 Remington. Both now have trigger problems. The trigger won't pull on either one, like the safety is on. The 99 fired at the range when I levered the bolt back after not being able to pull the trigger. The kroil is the only thing different on these two from all my other rifles.

[bigjohn]

I've used it mixed with JB compound to get the copper out of a couple barrels but only lube with Butches.

[segsarge]

The 700 was so gummed up the safety wouldn't move. Drenched it down with some Hoppes #9 and let it set for a while. Safety works now and the trigger works (at least I get a click). I had no idea Kroil would do that.

[krank]

Back in the 60's, Dad had a can of Aero-Kroil in his shop. It was sacred and only used on hard cases as a penetrating oil. Back then it cost like $20 which is $50 now.
Kroil has the ability to get into crevices that are .0001 and thats what it does.
I make up ED's Red. The military used it secretely in armories for years. It had no brand name some they couldnt purchase it on the books. It is one part kerosene and one part ATF and one part mineral spirits and one part acetone. Soldiers used it to clean guns that were grungy and been stored. Ed Harris, the famous gun expert published the recipe in an article. I make a gallon and put it in whiskey bottles. It eats wood varnish but hell on bore build up.
Actually all the old books call for 3 in 1 oil as being the best.
I love Hoppes #7. Banana oil. Made for the bore but I use it on other parts too. Great old smell.
I used to hose down guns with WD-40 and a gunsmith said not to do that. Says it leaves a patina after a while. Well thats too bad and I still do it.

[bigjohn]

That WD40 is the worst thing to use on a gun. Especially automatics. It will give a gummy build up over time

[krank]

No John, Molasses is the worst. Thats what the old gunsmith said about WD but I have had people bring me .22 autos that were gummed up so I wd-40ed them back to life. Afterwards I took an air compressor and blew out all the WD-40.
Good old kerosene dissolves crud but it smells. Once again I use air to get rid of it.
I used carberator cleaner on really nasty stuff too

[segsarge]

I made up a batch of ED's Red years ago to clean a really nasty BP percussion rifle. Swabbed it out with some natural cleaner and Bore Butter later. Lost the bottle of ED's when we moved to the house we have now. The stuff works well but plays hell with a wood finish.
3 in 1 oil was used on everything from guns to sewing machines. WD40 displaces water. Not sure about the gumming up part, not saying it doesn't, I just never had it happen. Then again, I don't use it much so maybe that's why. Now days I just use Hoppes #9 and their oil.

[krank]

I made a gallon of Eds Red.(quart of each ingredient.) Put it in whiskey bottles. Gave a lot away to friends and passed some out at Niangua. Really good on gunked up black powder or really bad leaded bores.
Custers cavalry used oil of paraffin. Standard US Army issue. Modern term for that is mineral oil.
To understand what happens then may want to look at the science. That kroil is an aggressive solvent and may have melted or softened some synthetic material in that gun.
I really don't like that Rem Oil. It stinks like PJ blaster and have not been impressed with it. I sprayed down a black powder with it and it did some odd things. Was worse that nothing.
I think the fish oil in WD is what leaves a gummy film. Use it but let it drip away(it takes the grime with it) and evaporate and come back with some real gun oil. I tell people at work it is a solvent and not a lubricant. WD is an excellent electrical contact cleaner much to manys surprise.
I like G96. It is widely accepted and works nice.
I dearly despise silicone. It has a bad reaction to petroleum products. My son had an airsoft that would not work without silicon spray. I told him to keep that stuff away and dont put it on anything I own.

[krank]

All the guys at the range swear by Ballistol. I bought some off Amazon and gave Dad a can. Amazing stuff if you can stand the smell.

I got to studying it's origin. Made by the German military right before WWI. They wanted something to use for everything It fights rust and reconditions leather and protects wood. It can be used as a wound dressing and skeeter repellant.

I looked and main ingredient is mineral oil. Custers calvary had mineral oil but it was called paraffin oil back then.

Original Ford *N owners manual called for 90 w mineral oil.

I was looking through a junk box my Dad was pitching and there was a quart of 30 w motor oil. It said no detergent or additives. I latched on to it and found out it was pure mineral oil. Set it on the shelf for gun oil.

Hers a good read on Ballistol...
Ballistol
This has to be the original snake oil. At the turn of the last century the Kaiser's Wehrmacht put out bids for a military multi-purpose oil. It was to clean and lubricate firearms and other machinery, prevent rust, dissolve residue from corrosive primers, nitro powder and black powder, remove copper, zinc and lead fouling from rifle bores, preserve both wood and leather, prevent mold and mildew, and be suitable for treating minor wounds and abrasions on the soldiers themselves. By all accounts Ballistol met the requirements, and then some. It was adopted by the German military in 1905 and served until 1945. It’s still in use by the German Special Forces, as well as the US Coast Guard and some of the Navy Seal teams. Of course a multitude of European hunters and other sportsmen have used it for generations..

Ballistol is slightly alkaline, so it neutralizes the amino acids in human sweat. It emulsifies with water, so it will protect wet surfaces as well as dry surfaces. The mixture prevents rust, and when it dries it leaves a protective film. As a lubricant it never thickens or gums up. Mixed half and half with water it makes a black powder cleaner. Mixed 1:20 with water it’s a cutting fluid. On unfinished wood surfaces it helps seal and protect the wood, as well as bringing out the beauty of the grain. It restores old oil finished surfaces. It softens old dried leather and protects from mold and mildew. (Warning; it darkens light leather, and is not for use on suede.)

Ballistol is approved for use on equipment used in food preparation. However it hasn’t been submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration, so labeling in the US indicates it’s not for use on animals or humans. In Germany it's often included in first aid kits, and even used internally in some folk medicines.

Balistol is environmentally friendly. It’s non-toxic and biodegradable. There are no carcinogens. It comes packed in either a pump spray can, or aerosol cans which contains no CFCs. The aerosol propellent is flamable, so you shouldn’t use it around a flame. Shelf life is unlimited in the original can.

The downside; (you knew there had to be one). The stuff stinks, literally, at least on first application. The initial smell is between old sweat socks, and something much more vulgar. After a bit however, it just leaves a faint odor resembling black licorice. I’m told that the smell is common to most German gun shops and hunting lodges. I suppose, like the smell of Hoppe’s No. 9, it’s an acquired taste. I’ve gotten quite accustomed to it, although I found it offensive initially.

Note: it's not recommended for long term storage of nickel or chrome plated firearms. These metals are plated over a base of copper. If there is a break in the plating the Ballistol can attack the under-plating.

[bigbob]

Excellent post!

[segsarge]

I've always heard of people using Ballistol but never tried it myself. Sounds like I need to give it a try. The fact that it doesn't harm wood finish is a bonus.

[krank]

Its funny watching the guys at the range with their ballistol. One guy was mowing and he borrowed some to spray on a poison ivy rash. You make friends fast when you offer your can of ballistol to a shooter in need.
It does have a funny smell but I got used to it fast.
I dearly adore the smell of Hoppes #9.(banana oil) Brings back memories of me and Dad cleaning our shotguns after a hunt. I could use it for cologne.