Ballistol

MrKalashnikov · 12-15-2020, 08:36 AM

Any of you guys use this stuff for cleaning your firearms? It's been around since 1905 when a chemist developed it for the Imperial German army. Supposed to be non-toxic with a kind of liqorice smell. I've only seen it occasionly at gun shows, never in stores. It's readily available online, though. Thinking about giving it a try.

baboon · 12-15-2020, 10:45 AM

I have used it on & off over the years. I first received a sample of some when I bought my Benelli SBE.

bill3542 · 12-15-2020, 10:53 AM

Great stuff for corrosive ammo when mixed with water... only problem is the fumes. I have to use it outside, the fumes cause me to have breathing issues.

Stoned_Oli · 12-15-2020, 04:14 PM

I use a lot of it, even on the wood. I even like the smell.

MrKalashnikov · 12-15-2020, 09:17 PM

I've read it's a healthier alternative to solvents like Shooter's Choice or Hoppe's. Some of the chemical cleaners which are good for removing copper and lead fouling stink to high hell. After a range session last week in which I cleaned 3 rifles in my garage with the doors open and a breeze blowing it could still be smelled in the house.

Then again, I've been inhaling and getting strong solvents on my hands since I was 14 or thereabouts....cars, guns, go karts, bikes, etc etc. Only had Lymphoma once back in 1998 so I guess I shouldn't worry.

baboon · 12-16-2020, 07:09 AM

A few years back I figured I needed a better cleaner & that I need to go big. So I bought a 5 gallon pail of this for myself & 2 buddies
https://mirachem.com/info/?page_id=49&Prod=12

MrKalashnikov · 12-16-2020, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baboon

A few years back I figured I needed a better cleaner & that I need to go big. So I bought a 5 gallon pail of this for myself & 2 buddies
https://mirachem.com/info/?page_id=49&Prod=12

Do you pour this stuff into a cleaning tank of some kind?

I'm really looking for a cleaner that can be used on a small scale for rifles mostly...and doesn't stink the place up.

baboon · 12-16-2020, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrKalashnikov

Do you pour this stuff into a cleaning tank of some kind?

I'm really looking for a cleaner that can be used on a small scale for rifles mostly...and doesn't stink the place up.

I use spray bottles & submerge suppressors in it like a soak. I wish I had a cleaning tank.

Sanders · 12-16-2020, 10:25 AM

I've been using a Ballistol for a few years, now. I'm a sucker for the latest snake oils, but this stuff has been around for over 100 years and works great as not only a cleaner and lubricant, but on conditioning wood and leather.

Non-toxic is a plus, as well.

But it still doesn't smell as good as Hoppe's #9.

MrKalashnikov · 12-16-2020, 11:27 AM

Well, you fellas have convinced me so I'm ordering some bottles online. Thanks for the feedback.

baboon · 12-16-2020, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrKalashnikov

Well, you fellas have convinced me so I'm ordering some bottles online. Thanks for the feedback.

Home Depot use to carry it from time to time.

Sanders · 12-16-2020, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baboon

Home Depot use to carry it from time to time.

I bought mine at an Ace Hardware. Then found someone selling small cans of it at a gunshow.

hangfire · 12-17-2020, 11:17 AM

I’m still using up a batch of Ed’s Red I made several years ago.

JD Miller · 12-17-2020, 03:01 PM

I have a 25 gal drum of Kroil Oil

hawksnest · 12-17-2020, 03:05 PM

I use clenzoil. Smells great and has lanolin in the formula. Doesn't affect wood. Clean you bore with your favorite until the patch is clean. Then run a wet parch of clenzoil and see what you find on the patch.

12-15-2020, 08:36 AM	#1
MrKalashnikov Deplorable Join Date: May 2008 Location: Behind The Iron Curtain Posts: 8,048	Ballistol Any of you guys use this stuff for cleaning your firearms? It's been around since 1905 when a chemist developed it for the Imperial German army. Supposed to be non-toxic with a kind of liqorice smell. I've only seen it occasionly at gun shows, never in stores. It's readily available online, though. Thinking about giving it a try.

12-15-2020, 04:14 PM	#4
Stoned_Oli King of S'marm Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Mid-Missouri Posts: 4,488	I use a lot of it, even on the wood. I even like the smell. __________________ “But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add ‘within the limits of the law’ because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.” ~ Thomas Jefferson to Issac Tiffany, 1816

12-17-2020, 11:17 AM	#13
hangfire Home on the range Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: S. Indiana Posts: 17,283	I’m still using up a batch of Ed’s Red I made several years ago. __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure of the universe" -Albert Einstein-

12-17-2020, 03:01 PM	#14
JD Miller Fake Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: PNW Posts: 39,162	I have a 25 gal drum of Kroil Oil __________________ .......

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-15-2020, 10:45 AM	#2
baboon slug Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Out by the lake in central Texas Posts: 18,305	I have used it on & off over the years. I first received a sample of some when I bought my Benelli SBE.

12-15-2020, 10:53 AM	#3
bill3542 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,700	Great stuff for corrosive ammo when mixed with water... only problem is the fumes. I have to use it outside, the fumes cause me to have breathing issues.

12-15-2020, 09:17 PM	#5
MrKalashnikov Deplorable Join Date: May 2008 Location: Behind The Iron Curtain Posts: 8,048	I've read it's a healthier alternative to solvents like Shooter's Choice or Hoppe's. Some of the chemical cleaners which are good for removing copper and lead fouling stink to high hell. After a range session last week in which I cleaned 3 rifles in my garage with the doors open and a breeze blowing it could still be smelled in the house. Then again, I've been inhaling and getting strong solvents on my hands since I was 14 or thereabouts....cars, guns, go karts, bikes, etc etc. Only had Lymphoma once back in 1998 so I guess I shouldn't worry.

12-16-2020, 07:09 AM	#6
baboon slug Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Out by the lake in central Texas Posts: 18,305	A few years back I figured I needed a better cleaner & that I need to go big. So I bought a 5 gallon pail of this for myself & 2 buddies https://mirachem.com/info/?page_id=49&Prod=12

12-16-2020, 10:25 AM	#9
Sanders Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 66,435	I've been using a Ballistol for a few years, now. I'm a sucker for the latest snake oils, but this stuff has been around for over 100 years and works great as not only a cleaner and lubricant, but on conditioning wood and leather. Non-toxic is a plus, as well. But it still doesn't smell as good as Hoppe's #9. __________________ "The truly dangerous man dresses inconspicuously and is soft- spoken. He walks away from most confrontations. The only time you learn that the truly dangerous man is mad at you is a split second before you die, for he never fights. He only kills. The truly dangerous man knows that fighting is what children do and killing is what men do." - Charley Reese 1986 3

12-16-2020, 11:27 AM	#10
MrKalashnikov Deplorable Join Date: May 2008 Location: Behind The Iron Curtain Posts: 8,048	Well, you fellas have convinced me so I'm ordering some bottles online. Thanks for the feedback.

12-17-2020, 03:05 PM	#15
hawksnest Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,192	I use clenzoil. Smells great and has lanolin in the formula. Doesn't affect wood. Clean you bore with your favorite until the patch is clean. Then run a wet parch of clenzoil and see what you find on the patch.