Gun Solvents and Gun Lubes don’t mix, so be careful how you use them

When your gun jams, or if there’s a failure to eject spent rounds, or it just feels sticky, the culprit is usually solvent residue. Don’t blame it on the lube (usually) when it comes to accumulation within the bolt assembly, in the trigger or the slide, recoil surfaces and the rails – the obviously critical moving parts.

Do not generalize gun cleaner, gun greases and gun oils – they aren’t even close to being the same – and keep automotive products out of consideration. Many gun cleaning products are solvent based, made of petroleum distillates, so you can start there.

Bore solvents are probably mostly very effective in the sense that they clean carbon fouling off of gun parts, but then you are left with solvent residue, which is not welcome. They don’t explain that on the labels, do they?

Here’s a solution, if not a test for addressing solvent residue:

• Wipe 91%+ isopropyl alcohol on that solvent-coated gunmetal and you should come up with amber color, not clear, right?

Well, that’s what it is. The alcohol does a nice job at cleaning it off, and of course, evaporating itself off very quickly. That is the test, and one possible solution, but that proves my point. The solvent is to blame, usually the cheaper products that have an oily consistency.

Lubricants are not too blame, usually. Some, more likely the CLP types, have a cleaner component in them, so that’s a consideration. Once again, not all are equal or the same as each formula needs to be considered independently. In general, you are better off with synthetic lubricants like our Tetra Gun Grease, Lubricant and Triple Action CLP offerings.

Please stay away from products that have a wax consistency because they don’t hold up and leave another kind of problematic residue, but they’re great for car finishes. The same goes for auto products because they are engineered for engines, not guns. It’s not the same.

And lastly, don’t mess around with fly-by-night products that sound cool but create unnecessary risk. Here’s a few clues:

• Ingredients not listed
• Claims made without evidence
• Company info and other common requirements are missing from label.

If it seems too good to be true it probably is. I have seen way too many people get fooled by products that have such great curb appeal but lack substance.

If you can’t give up your nasty bore solvent liquids and aerosols, at least clean it off your gun before lubrication. Do yourself that favor.

Don’t believe the internet idiots who trash quality gun lubes for causing rust or yellowing or gumming up. The truth is that they caused it themselves because they don’t know any better. This is not a new thing. Be smarter.

• Ask your local gun shop owner or gunsmith
• Contact the service department of your firearm’s manufacturer
• Do your own research and collect consensus on what makes sense

Overall tips and sounds gun care advice:

You can use bore cleaner to get the job done, but remove the residue.

Liquid or aerosol, both types of cleaner delivery can work.

Use quality lubricants – grease for high wear parts, oil in the bore and overall.

Don’t mix different companies’ cleaners and lubes or prepare for a mess.

Keep your firearms in “fire-ready” condition. That means you can pull it out of the gun safe after a long stretch and immediately go to “fire” mode without even a hint of a problem. Peace of mind is priceless when it comes to protection and personal safety.

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