Cleaning routine.
 

I must confess that I have become lazy when in my cleaning routine. Clenzoil and a BoreSnake...done. So I need to reboot my cleaning routine.

What steps do you do every time you give your guns a thorough cleaning and lubing? For the record I have a lifetime supply of Balistoil, Hoppes #9, Clenzoil, some military grade gun grease and all the equipment needed.

Thanks,

Jay

I’ve got I think they’re Tico rods , I call them Woolley booger rods they look like a cleaning rod covered in wool have them for 12 , 20 , 28 . I pass them thru a few times if I’ve just been shooting bird shot and wipe down the outside with a silicone cloth . If I’ve been shooting Buckshot or slugs I sometimes get lead smudges in the barrels then I use a brush and Hoppes . Cleaning a rifle for me atleast is quite a bit more drawn out .

I stay away from the grease and use RIG for lubricating all wear points and joints.
I use a Bore-Snake with Ballistol and a good exterrior wipe-down with Ballistol too.
Q-tips and an old toothbrush dipped in Hoppe’s No. 9 when I want to get really down and dirty.





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Dean;

When you use Ballistol do you soak a patch and then run it through the barrel or do you actually put it on the Bore Snake?

Thanks,

Jay

I spray a good wetting of it on the aft foot or so of the Snake.





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I use a cleaning rod for the inside of the barrels and an oil soaked rag for the metal. I no longer spray oil on the gun, having seen what oil does to wood and not wanting to get oil on the wood

I do much of the above, plus, I store my guns muzzle down in the safe.
I live in a dry climate, so use oil sparingly, but I still want any excess to drain away from the buttstock.

I have my cleaning rod and brush (either bronze or tornado) inserted into my drill. I’m amazed at how much cleaner my bores get. NEVER any gun oil on the stock. For bore cleaning Hoppes is my go to... but probably for nostalgic reasons. I do grease the joints, but I don’t like how grease holds grit. Cleaning a fine gun is a pleasure... it’s “extra” time with a treasure.

I agree! When I was about 8, I remember my dad going out rabbit hunting and when he came home "I got to clean the gun". At that time it was a reason for me to handle a gun and in the process I learned gun safety (muzzle control) as my dad watched, how to maintain any gun and simple appreciation for quality, look and feel. I was taken on my first rabbit hunt when I was 9 (got two) and from then to now I regard game & guns as something special for me to take care to preserve.

Coming home from a hunt and finishing the hunt by cleaning the gun in preparation for the next day, or for storage, is routine for me and is still a pleasure. I too use Hoppes #9; mostly for the aroma and the memories that distinctive smell brings to mind and those are all wonderful memories.

I was thinking this weekend how many of the old timers oiled down these old stocks and then took a look at them and thought "wow, have I cleaned that gun or what?" We know better now

Robin,

I hope you still rabbit hunt. My gateway to hunting was squirrels at age 6. I was my Pop’s “dog” that circled the tree and retrieved them when he brought them down (head shot my biased memory recalls). In the evening Iwould clean his J. C. Higgins .22. Life was good. I still go on at least one squirrel hunt a year just to remember.

Me too. I think of the cold winter nights in the unheated tobacco barn where we had a rifle club. Just a woodstove, a couple castaway recliners, half a whiskey barrel for a table. 4 elevated prone benches and a few dedicated dad's with their boys. I believe I smoked a pipe for 45 years, drink only good scotch and still use #9, because my memories of the various aromas is better than the images...................................damn allergies must be playing with my eyeballs

Seems to me that Hoppes, altho it still smells good, is not the same formula I grew up with. Someone said the old stuff had some sort of carcinogenic component to it. Anyone else heard that?

Just in California that I know of... :whistle:





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It's probably the stuff that makes it smell good

I bought a whole case of the old #9 a few years ago. Growing up my dad used nothing but #9 to clean the inside then wipe the outside of all his guns. His guns are still in immaculate condition today. I always said that if they could put the aroma of #9 into a cologne for men.......:)

You may like this? I had one once but I found it didn't last long:cuss:

Here's what the MSDS sheet says is in Hoppe's No. 9. Apparently the toxic nitro-benzene was removed 25 years ago.

I did also, Daryl. Allan Swanson had several cases at the Baltimore gun show.

My Hoppes shrine. Maybe I could get Yankee Candle Company to make some for us.

Yep, Allan Swanson is where I got them from. Thanks for reminding me. Yankee Candle is not a bad idea but only if they could use a facsimile of the #9 bottle.

Half & Half and Hoppe's will fuel my time machine, every time.

One available:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hoppes-No-9...bJG:rk:10:pf:0