Updated: January 5th, 2021
As a gun owner, you most likely know that cleaning your gun is extremely important. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot adequately clean a gun with soap and water. Instead, you need a special chemical, such as a solvent, to clean your gun.
While most gun cleaning kits include virtually everything you need to adequately clean a gun, they usually neglect to include a gun cleaning solvent. This is why it’s important to do your own research and find the best gun cleaning solvent. Since research can take hours to understand the chemical compositions of each top gun cleaning solvent and oil, we’ve rounded a list of the top ten gun cleaning solvents and oils. Check it out below!
10 Best Gun Cleaning Solvents & Oils on the Market
#1 Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Lubricating Oil
The first gun cleaning oil on our list is the Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Lubricating Oil! This gun oil is one of the top selling lubricants on the market. This shouldn’t come as a surprise because Hoppe’s is known as one of the leading gun supply manufacturers in the world.
Immediately, this product deserves to be raved about for its secure design. Let’s face it: if someone, such as a child, misuses gun cleaning lubricant, it could cause severe damage and even injury. Hoppe’s understands this, which is why they’ve designed a child proof lid that ensures only you will be able to access the lubricating oil when you need to.
The Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Lubricating Oil has a synthetic CLP (Clean, Lubricate, Protect) formulation, which proves to be one of the strongest available. This means the Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Lubricating Oil is specially designed to protect your firearm against anything, such as rust, corrosion, and more.
This synthetic gun cleaning lubricating oil is also good for acting as a protectant for your gun when you plan on storing it for a long time. Long-term storage can be detrimental to your gun, but with the Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Lubricating Oil, you won’t have to worry about your gun aging and rotting away, which would affect its use.
#2 Sage and Braker Mercantile CLP
The next gun cleaning solvent on our list is the Sage and Braker Mercantile CLP. If you’re unfamiliar with CLP, it’s a simple acronym that means “Clean, Lube, & Protect”. In other words, CLP is exactly what you need to adequately clean and protect your firearm.
One of the things you should first notice with the Sage and Braker Mercantile CLP is the smell. Unlike other gun cleaning solvents and oils, the Sage and Braker Mercantile CLP actually smells really good. Although this might seem like a minor pro of this product, it’s actually a huge advantage. After all, no one wants to deal with the headaches of working with a pungent product.
Aside from the fact the Sage and Braker Mercantile CLP smells good, it’s one of the strongest and most effective gun cleaning solvents on the market. The potential of this product is no joke. In other words, it effectively cleans your gun in the shortest amount of time. We even discovered that you only have to use this solvent half the regular time that you normally would need to clean a gun.
It’s also helpful that this gun cleaning solvent is completely versatile. Most gun cleaning solvents require you to either use a bore or a brush. But, with the Sage and Braker Mercantile CLP, you can use whatever cleaning tool you please!
One of the biggest advantages of the Sage and Braker Mercantile CLP is that it’s composed with a secret comprehensive solution that protects your gun from dust, unlike other CLPs. So, you won’t have to worry about cleaning dust off your gun every time you want to use it. This also helps the gun maintain good condition for a longer time.
#3 Prom Hoppe’s M-Pro 7 Gun Cleaner
Third on our list is the Prom Hoppe’s M-Pro 7 Gun Cleaner. Like previously stated, Hoppe’s is a leading gun cleaning solvent manufacturer. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that they’re featured on this list more than once.
The Prom Hoppe’s M-Pro 7 Gun Cleaner is primarily raved about because it has a military-grade composition. In other words, this gun cleaning solvent is designed to use with even the most advanced firearms of military professionals, which means it will more than adequately clean your standard firearm.
One of the nicest features of the Prom Hoppe’s M-Pro 7 Gun Cleaner is its easy-to-use design, which comes in a classic spray bottle that features a safety switch. You don’t have to worry about accidentally spraying the cleaning solvent when you don’t mean to.
The next phenomenal feature of the Prom Hoppe’s M-Pro 7 Gun Cleaner is its innovative chemical composition, which ensures that every ounce of carbon is removed from your firearm. This contrasts traditional gun cleaning solvents, which only seem to focus on the surface level of carbon.
This means the Prom Hoppe’s M-Pro 7 Gun Cleaner solution is designed to clean every ounce of carbon and other minerals from your gun to ensure that there isn’t anything left over that will build up and cause damage over time. This creates a smooth and clean bore, which promotes optimal condition and use.
#4 Eezox Premium Synthetic Gun Care
If you want a truly comprehensive gun cleaning solvent, then look no further. The Eezox Premium Synthetic Gun Care is your solution. Eezox Premium Synthetic Gun Care has all the qualities you need that typically come in two or three gun cleaning solvents. This means you only have to purchase and use the Eezox Premium Synthetic Gun Care – and nothing else.
Eezox Premium Synthetic Gun Care’s composition is simple. This gun cleaning solution has an innovative composition that promotes cleaning, protection, and lubrication. So, you can use Eezox Premium Synthetic Gun Care during every step of the gun cleaning process.
Despite the fact that Eezox Premium Synthetic Gun Care has a high-density composition, the solution itself is actually pretty loose and thin. This makes it extremely easy to use and manipulate while you’re cleaning your gun.
After thoroughly cleaning your firearm, simply apply a thin coat of Eezox Premium Synthetic Gun Care. You don’t have to worry about wiping it away because the heavy solvent qualities of the Eezox Premium Synthetic Gun Care will simply evaporate away and leave the important lubricant qualities on your firearm.
These lubricant qualities will ensure that your firearm remains in tip-top condition and runs smoothly and effectively. In other words, you won’t have to worry about your gun rusting or accumulating dust and other minerals.
#5 Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Gun Bore Cleaner
Although Hoppe’s produces a variety of gun cleaning products, the Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Gun Bore Cleaner is their top-selling, most raved about product. In fact, the Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Gun Bore Cleaner is one of the best bore cleaners currently on the market.
Using the Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Gun Bore Cleaner makes cleaning your firearms extremely easy. In fact, the whole process only consumes a few seconds. Simply dip a little bit of Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Gun Bore Solvent onto a bore snake, then use it as you would to clean your firearm.
Once you dip the bore brush into your gun, the Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Gun Bore Cleaner begins to work its magic. The process is simple – the cleanser begins working by targeting the foundations of the carbon which has built up in your gun. Then, it makes sure that the carbon and all the other harmful chemicals and minerals are removed.
Another great aspect of the Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Gun Bore Cleaner is its subtle smell. Contrary to other bore cleaners, the Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Gun Bore Cleaner doesn’t have a pungent smell that will give you headaches and make it hard for you to clean your gun. Instead, you can clean your gun anywhere at any time, and no one will notice the smell.
#6 Hornady 99901 One Shot Gun Cleaner
Like stated in the name, the Hornady 99901 One Shot Gun Cleaner is the ultimate gun cleaning solution for people who only want to have to use one gun cleaning product instead of multiple products.
Let’s face it: it’s easy for guns to accumulate a variety of things, such as lubricant, carbon buildup, rust, and other minerals. When this happens, guns begin to malfunction and could even be damaged. That’s where a renowned gun cleanser, like the Hornady 99901 One Shot Gun Cleaner steps in.
With the Hornady 99901 One Shot Gun Cleaner, the innovative modern formula initially starts working by targeting the origins of carbon and the other minerals that build up inside guns. This makes sure that any grime is completely cleaned from your gun, as well as ensures that no further carbon or grime will accumulate inside your gun.
In addition to being a cleanser, the Hornady 99901 One Shot Gun Cleaner is also a lubricant. Contrary to other popular gun lubricants, the Hornady 99901 One Shot Gun Cleaner has a non-tacky, thin quality that works smoothly by targeting fouling. This ensures your gun remains smooth, clean, and in the best condition possible.
#7 Gunzilla 16oz Turret Top
One of the most popular gun cleaning products is the Gunzilla 16oz Turret Top. This is largely due to its innovative chemical composition that ensures deep penetration for targeting things, such as carbon, minerals, and other common grime.
One of the highlighted features of the Gunzilla 16oz Turret Top is the lightness of the solution. Some gun cleaning solvents are thick and hard to manipulate, which ultimately makes cleaning your gun long and difficult. But, since the Gunzilla 16oz Turret Top has a thin and light composition, cleaning your gun takes little effort and time.
When using the Gunzilla 16oz Turret Top, all you need to do is place a little bit of it onto a cotton swab or a Q-tip and move it back and forth within your gun. Contrary to other gun cleaning solvents, you won’t have to do this process more than once. Also, you won’t have to worry about removing any excess solution.
Unlike other types of gun cleaning solvents, the Gunzilla 16oz Turret Top ensures that every bit of carbon and grime is cleared from your gun. This ensures that your gun is in the best condition possible and can adequately operate. Also, you won’t have to worry about any leftover residue remaining and blocking up your gun in the future.
#8 Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP
By now, you should understand the importance of purchasing a gun cleansing solution that has CLP properties. Another great example is the Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP. With CLPs, like the Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP, you don’t have to worry about purchasing a variety of products just to clean, lubricate, and protect your firearm.
One of the most highlighted features of the Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP is the fact it exponentially surpasses USDA Certification, as well as MIL-SPEC Technical Standards. In other words, the Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP is good enough to be used on professional firearms that even the military use.
If the Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP is good enough to clean military grade firearms, then it is more than durable enough to adequately clean your standard firearm. The Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP solution has a modern composition that targets things like corrosion and carbon directly from the source.
This means that you don’t have to worry about grime and other minerals rebuilding inside your gun and causing further damage, which could ultimately lead to malfunction or speed the aging process of your gun.
Another great aspect of the Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP is the fact it can be used in virtually any weather condition, such as a hot desert or even the cold Arctic. This is different than other CLP solutions, which usually require you to use them in a moderate climate or they won’t work.
#9 Advance Weapon’s Technology CLP
This appears as quite the basic solution on first glance, and it certainly has the price tag to match. However, this is actually quite the effective CLP solution. It’s a well-crafted formula that simply works, and it takes a spot on our list because of this.
This solution works fast to clean the operating system of the firearm. When it’s finished, it leaves the “Extreme Force” lubricant on the all surfaces that it touched. It cleans, then lubricates, then protects – exactly as a high-quality CLP should.
This solvent is built to withstand even the harshest of environmental conditions, which makes it great for those who intend to use their firearms in extreme climates. It’s built to keep the firearm protected through rain, snow, sleet, saltwater, and extreme heat/cold.
Customer reviews of this product are quite stellar, and many report a product that does exactly what it claims to do. It might not look like anything fancy, but it’s a CLP solution that works, and for the price tag it’s hard to beat.
#10 Breakthrough Clean Technologies Military Grade Cleaner
We round out our list with Breakthrough Clean’s Military Grade Cleaner. This is another solvent solution that we really like.The solution itself is one of the best bore cleaners we’ve used. It works quickly and effectively, and doesn’t stain any wood, plastic, or polymer components. It effectively removes any type of carbon, lead, or barrel fouling, while quickly evaporating and leaving behind no residue or marks.
We also like that this is a big container. You get a gallon of the stuff, so there’s no worries about restocking anytime soon. Buy it, store it, and you’ll always have it when you need it.
This solution is also odorless, which is a major upside if you have to clean a variety of guns at once. Also, it won’t leave your guns with a funky smell.
As an added bonus, this formula is eco-friendly. If you’re worried about the environmental impact of chemical cleaners, then you can rest easy on this one. It is certified “eco-friendly”, which means it is non-corrosive, non-toxic, and benzene free. We like eco-friendly products, but only when they work, and this one does.
Overall, this product does a lot of things we really like, and we think it’s the perfect place to end our list.
Comparison Chart
| Gun Cleaner | Key Features |
|---|---|
| #1 Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Lubricating Oil |
|
| #2 Sage and Braker Mercantile CLP |
|
| #3 Prom Hoppe’s M-Pro 7 Gun Cleaner |
|
| #4 Eezox Premium Synthetic Gun Care |
|
| #5 Hoppe’s No. 9 Synthetic Blend Gun Bore Cleaner |
|
| #6 Hornady 99901 One Shot Gun Cleaner |
|
| #7 Gunzilla 16oz Turret Top |
|
| #8 Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP |
|
| #9 Advance Weapon’s Technology CLP |
|
| #10 Breakthrough Clean Technologies Military Grade Cleaner |
|
Top Gun Cleaning Solvent FAQs
Why is a Gun Cleaning Solvent Important?
A gun cleaning solvent is an essential ingredient for cleaning your entire gun, especially its interior. With use, guns can develop a wide range of substances which can damage it over time – such as copper fouling, powder residue, acids, lead, and more. Cleaning solvents help to efficiently eliminate these substances, and protect your gun against wear, corrosion, and loss of accuracy.
Solvents come in a wide range of varieties, many of which we covered on our list directly above. Varieties include oils, liquids, foams, aerosol, and CLP cleaners. CLP refers to Clean, Lubricate, Protect. Each of these cleaners has their range of specific benefits, but they generally work in much the same way.
What Else Do I Need to Clean My Gun?
A gun cleaning solvent is only one ingredient required to clean a gun. Generally, you will also require a full gun cleaning kit. A gun cleaning kit will contain almost every tool you need to effectively apply the solvent to your gun. It will often include tools such as a cleaning rod, cleaning mat, and more. If you want to learn more, follow the links to learn more about gun cleaning accessories and techniques.
Why Do I Need to Use Cleaning Solvents and Not Water?
Contrary to popular belief, using water to clean your bore barely cleans your gun. In fact, most of the time it actually doesn’t do anything but further damage your gun because water rusts the metal materials of your gun.
On the other hand, gun cleaning solvents are specially crafted with innovative strong chemicals that won’t harm your gun. These chemicals actively work to adequately clean, protect, and lubricate your gun, so that it stays in good condition for a long time.
How to Choose the Best Gun Cleaning Solvent?
Choosing the best gun cleaning solvent for you can be difficult. Generally, you should keep some points in mind when you’re choosing a gun cleaning solvent.
Firstly, give some thought to the type of equipment you’re using. For example, a bore snake works better with comprehensive CLPs than different kinds of cleaning equipment. Whether you want a comprehensive CLP, so you don’t have to purchase multiple solvents, or a simple solvent solution. Also consider whether you want a thicker solution for quicker results, or a thinner solution that’s easier to manipulate.
How Can I Use a Cleaning Solvent?
Using a gun cleaning solvent is actually easier than it seems. Typically, all you have to do is integrate it into your regular gun cleaning routine. But it’s important to make sure that you’re using your gun cleaning solvent properly. So, make sure to check the instructions that are usually located on the back of the solvent bottle.
Why Do Some Sprays Have a Pungent Smell?
Some gun cleaning solvents are made with harsh chemicals. While these harsh chemicals are often military grade and will more than adequately clean your gun, they are so potent and strong that they create a pungent smell that ultimately makes it hard to work with.
Luckily, most modern day gun cleaning solvents are made with biodegradable chemicals that are not only beneficial for the environment, but create a better working environment because they have little to no smell.
How Can I Store Cleaning Solvents?
Since gun cleaning solvents are made with advanced and innovative chemicals, it’s important that you properly store your gun cleaning solvent when it’s not in use. Luckily, most gun cleaning solvents come in secure containers. So at least you don’t have to worry about securing the product while it’s not in use, so it doesn’t spill or accidentally harm someone.
Generally speaking, you should keep your gun cleaning solvent with the rest of your gun cleaning products. Furthermore, all of these products should store in a gun safe and temperature regulated room, such as a closet or garage.
