The acronym for Mil-Spec CLP stands for Cleans, Lubes and Protects.

Formally known in the military as MIL-L-63460, CLP is an oil-based cleaner, lubricant and protectant for firearms that is supposed to be an all-in-one product, and for the most part it is.

Beginning with the original formula issued by the U.S. Army in the 1960s, there have been many alternatives that have been approved for use, not including the even greater number of commercial versions. As is, the original formula was officially altered many years ago, at least more than once.

Tetra Gun brand offers their Triple Action CLP liquid in 2- and 8 oz. bottles, along with a slightly different version in an aerosol format. In either case, this product is based on the original formula while keeping the PTFE particle, which is a key component to its success. Without that, the oil won’t hold up in terms of friction, and wear and tear. The magic is in providing a solid material that will act as a buffer between two surfaces of gunmetal to minimize damage, and operational failure. Tetra’s synthetic fluoropolymer additive is very effective as it has been favored by many shooting enthusiasts since the 1980s.

By its nature, CLP included ingredients that are designed to counteract one another. The cleaner component is designed to do just that, clean, which means it is eating away at both the lubricant and preservative ingredients. This is the case with any CLP mix. On the other hand, the lubricant ingredients are trying to maintain lubricity to fight friction, while overriding the cleaner that is swimming around with it.

In a perfect world, you want a C+LP solution. In other words, a cleaner, followed by a lubricant afterwards. It is the lube that you want to remain on those metal gun parts. Cleaners clean, and lubricants lube. Put them together and you will get amazingly good results, but it can also make a mess, and you will certainly dumb down performance of either function. That being said, CLP is a quicker solution. That was its intended purpose. It does work.

CLP does take many forms. There is the most common oil consistency, but then you could have one in a grease or semi-fluid viscosity. For straight CLP, the lube will be an oil lube, or an aerosol spray or even saturated in a gun wipe. Either way, you need to apply it onto gunmetal. Most often you are applying CLP with clean cotton patches, or alternatively mops or other clothes or even cotton swabs. In general, you don’t want the oil to migrate to other firearms materials such as rubber, plastic, wood and nylon because it’s just going to make a mess, and you won’t benefit from it. Most gun owners want the finished product to show a little shine to gunmetal and nothing but clean and dry on other parts of the firearm and related accessories. You certainly don’t want to compromise your grip on the hardware in terms of comfort and more importantly, safety.

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