Ballistol does what a cleaner/lubricant/protect-ant is supposed to do. As a bonus it can:
* Be safely used on wood, leather, and most plastic.
* Be mixed with water to clean black powder or corrosively primed ammunition. (For this you might want the liquid rather than the aerosol) And I use Shockey's pellets, so no big deal.
* Is non toxic, historic, and folkloric and will make you sound like you know what you are talking about when the subject of firearm care comes up on a date.
What it can't / doesn't do:
* Not a copper solvent or lead remover. -Does almost nothing to a penny.
* Makes a crappy honing oil.- too thin, use 10w40 or vedge oil.
* Not a penetrating oil.- like Kroil.( FYI- mix acetone 1:1 with atf trans fluid for the absolute best penetration oil you CAN'T BUY!!)
* Unlike Hoppes #9, the odor will not trigger happy memories of cleaning guns with grand dad- unless grand dad was in the Wehrmacht. Dear Lord that stuff brings me back.
* Will not improve your reading skills. Or make you an operator.
All CLP's are something of a compromise but this product is about as close to a universal gun care chemical as I have seen. Use what you like, (wd40 is cheaper,) but Ballistol works.'
ONE of the best parts is it tests as well as most CLP lubricants , but has the advantages of being able to wipe down safe queens and you need not worry about varnish or plastic being damaged or discolored. The best part in my opinion, is THE SMELL! An almost Jager, licorice scent that I do enjoy! So run a bore snake and this stuff for a pleasant gun cleaning experience.
