Started By
Message
locked post

Cleaning your guns (OT)

Posted on 2/25/13 at 12:05 pm
Posted by S1C EM
Athens, GA
Member since Nov 2007
11594 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 12:05 pm
I just picked up a Springfield XDs .45 over the weekend and would like to get some thoughts on cleaning it (before I do it). I don't want anything toxic, etc that I would have to worry about around my two young kids.

So far, I know of Ballistol and FrogLube. Unfortunately, while "Wild Bill Hickok" LOVES Ballistol, I've come across a growing contingent of folks who swear it's bad for the gun. Same with FrogLube....found several who swear by it and then come across information that appears to indicate that it isn't any more effective than any other product available...and may not work at all.

So, what do you recommend? Remember, key here is non-toxic....so don't get all into Hoppe's #9, etc. I know about those.
Posted by DawgCountry
Great State of GA
Member since Sep 2012
33469 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 1:51 pm to
screw toxic, Hoppy's #9 all the way.

I use it on my Sig 1911
Posted by S1C EM
Athens, GA
Member since Nov 2007
11594 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 1:55 pm to
quote:

screw toxic, Hoppy's #9 all the way.


Aite. Thanks for reading. Geez....were this still "The Rant", I'd have a 100 replies by now. This place has hit the shite.
This post was edited on 2/25/13 at 1:56 pm
Posted by DawgCountry
Great State of GA
Member since Sep 2012
33469 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 2:00 pm to
quote:

screw toxic


quote:

non-toxic


clearly I did. just my opinion

post on the OB if you want 100 replies
Posted by S1C EM
Athens, GA
Member since Nov 2007
11594 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 2:02 pm to
quote:

clearly I did. just my opinion


Understood. But I also CLEARLY stated no suggestions for Hoppe's. It's fine though. I understand your opinion and respect that. Just not going to use it myself.

quote:

post on the OB if you want 100 replies


I don't need a 100 replies of BS, which is what I would get there.
Posted by Rules
Warm. Year round.
Member since Sep 2012
4394 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 4:11 pm to
You have to use a solvent to clean a gun well. Put it up on a shelf out of reach.
Posted by Padawgjr
Member since Sep 2012
1017 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 4:30 pm to
Being military, I use an Otis cleaning kit on all my weapons. I have and XDm .45 and it works great on it. Be careful not to apply too much lube because the XD's will sometimes act up if you do. Just put a little oil on a cleaning cloth and gently wipe individual parts. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by S1C EM
Athens, GA
Member since Nov 2007
11594 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 5:50 pm to
quote:

I use an Otis cleaning kit on all my weapons.


Just bought one of those, actually.

As for the wiping with a cloth, do you not "soak" your barrel down and then wipe until clean? I agree with only lightly lubing the slide rails, though.
Posted by Remington Dawg
Irmo, S.C
Member since Sep 2012
1457 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 6:45 pm to
I have an XD .40 and per SA techs they say the less lube the better.( NO pun intended). XD's are great guns but they will mess up if over lubed. they are guns not pornstars. Easy on the lube. As far as cleaning I use a simple non -toxic gun oil.
Posted by S1C EM
Athens, GA
Member since Nov 2007
11594 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 7:15 pm to
quote:

As far as cleaning I use a simple non -toxic gun oil.


What is it that you're using? I bought an Otis cleaning kit just for this gun.

BTW, are there any downsides to firing the weapon without first doing a cleaning? I've never done a cleaning prior to firing a brand new gun before, provided it still appeared to have a decent amount of lube in the critical areas. That said, I was reading up on this one and noticed one forum where a guy spoke about firing 300 rounds before doing an initial, out-of-the-box cleaning and, while the gun performed flawlessly, he seemed to feel bad for not having done that first cleaning.

Thoughts?
Posted by Padawgjr
Member since Sep 2012
1017 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 7:15 pm to
My wife has an XD 9mm SC. I bought it used and it came over lubed. (No pun intended) the first mag I shot down range had problems with not seating properly after a few quick shots. It would stop just at the end if the cycle and need a little tap. Put about 500 rounds through it and then re-cleaned with less lube. Never had a problem since and would trust it with her life.
Posted by DonDraper
OTP
Member since Mar 2012
1407 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 7:46 pm to
Just made my first application of Froglube yesterday. If non toxic is your thing than Frog is the way to go. We'll see how it does next time I'm at the range.

Eta: I've got an Xd 40, they're incredibly stiff brand new. Nowadays guns aren't like they use to be. Let your Xd get a lil dirty then clean.
This post was edited on 2/25/13 at 7:51 pm
Posted by S1C EM
Athens, GA
Member since Nov 2007
11594 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 7:54 pm to
quote:

If non toxic is your thing than Frog is the way to go.


Did you just dab a little on your rails? If not, how did you apply it? Right now, I'm thinking I may go with a combination of Ballistol and FrogLube.
Posted by FaCubeItches
Soviet Monica, People's Republic CA
Member since Sep 2012
6446 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 8:06 pm to
I've had good luck with Break-Free products. Not sure what the toxicity is, though.
Posted by DonDraper
OTP
Member since Mar 2012
1407 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 8:55 pm to
You're definitely not suppose to mix the two. It contains petro chems that conflict with Froglube.

I applied Froglube, heated it with the gfs hair dryer. Reason being the metals are porous(sp?) and expand with heat. It absorbs the materials, and is activated with heat. After its applied, the gun is suppose to "sweat". It's suppose to be easier to clean afterwards.

I'll report back after I've been to the range. In the meantime, check out the YouTube vids on it. It smells like wintergreen. Lots of people swear by it. It was created by a Seal team member.

We'll see......
Posted by DonDraper
OTP
Member since Mar 2012
1407 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 9:05 pm to
quote:

FaCubeItches Cleaning your guns (OT) I've had good luck with Break-Free products. Not sure what the toxicity is, though.


All of them are petro chems. So, by nature they are toxic. I've used Break Free up until this last time at the range. BreakFree is great, but toxic.

As I posted earlier, I just tried out Froglube, which is considered USDA Biowhatyacallit. They demo it's "greenness" by using it as lip balm.

If it is what people are saying it is than its great. I'll know sooner or later.
Posted by S1C EM
Athens, GA
Member since Nov 2007
11594 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 9:06 pm to
quote:

You're definitely not suppose to mix the two. It contains petro chems that conflict with Froglube.


Good to know!

quote:

I'll report back after I've been to the range.


Do that. Would definitely like to hear your take on it.
This post was edited on 2/25/13 at 9:06 pm
Posted by S1C EM
Athens, GA
Member since Nov 2007
11594 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 9:07 pm to
quote:

All of them are petro chems. So, by nature they are toxic.


You mentioned Ballistol containing PCs, but it's supposed to be non-toxic. Am I missing something?
Posted by DonDraper
OTP
Member since Mar 2012
1407 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 9:41 pm to
I stand corrected, thanks Sic Em.

Made the mistake of generalizing. Only the propellants in Ballistol are hazardous, if you're using an aerosol.

But from what I understand Froglube is suppose to be used by itself.

Eta: kinda hard to do on a tablet, but google "Ballistol MSDS". Much better explanation than I can provide.
This post was edited on 2/25/13 at 9:46 pm
Posted by S1C EM
Athens, GA
Member since Nov 2007
11594 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 9:55 pm to
quote:

I stand corrected, thanks Sic Em.


No prob, bro. I'm learning, too. That's what I'm here for.

And yes, I see the FrogLube seems to be a stand-alone. Kinda interesting. I just don't see how you clean with a paste....though I know there is a liquid variant, too. I need to delve into this some more before I pick one. I intend to stick to whatever I use on the first cleaning. If the FrogLube is truly a CLP, I may go with it. Already ordered the Ballistol, though I got the non-aerosol one. I think I can get a more controlled application with non-aerosol, plus you get about 10 more ounces for the same price. I guess if I go the FrogLube route, there's always a few squeaky hinges around the house for the Ballistol....
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 3Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow SECRant for SEC Football News
Follow us on X and Facebook to get the latest updates on SEC Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitter