While it’s not very difficult to pick out a good cleaning solvent, there are so many to choose from that it can be confusing. We hope that our Top 10 List answers most of the common questions but we wanted to give a few other tips and tricks when it comes to choosing the best gun cleaning solvent.

Secure your Firearm

While cleaning your firearm, you should be using a good gun vise to secure it. While it’s not completely necessary, it will help prevent you from scratching the inside of the barrel and damaging other parts of your guns.

Don’t make the mistake of using a traditional bench vise, as this can EASILY damage your firearms.

Using a good gun cleaning mat can also help you save your surfaces.

If you leak CLP all over your wooden table then you may find it pretty difficult to get it off.

Anything to cover your expensive surfaces is always a good idea. It’s simple to make DIY gun mat for a few dollars and can end up saving you a time and money when that bottle of CLP tips over and spills everywhere.

Don’t let it Leak!

Always check to make sure the cap is on extra tight. Many people often complain to me about their CLP leaking all over their gear and it can ruin it because it’s hard to get out. This can simply be avoided by tightening the lid or making sure the bottle is not upside down when you pack it away.

OR

Use some plastic bottles that don’t leak and label them. I like to do this because you can store several smaller cleaning solvent bottles in one storage box.

If you plan to take your solvents with you when you go shooting, you should always keep them in a good gun cleaning box. This can be something as simple as a tackle box or your gun cleaning kit bag. Many solvents have been known to leak, which is why it’s important to keep them separate from your every-day gear.

How’s the Weather?

One of the biggest things to consider with all CLPs is the climate. If you carry along an aerosol spray into the freezing cold, then you may find yourself with a few freezing problems.

The type of CLP you use should be suited to the climate you’ll be shooting in. The majority of all solvents listed on this page work in extreme weather conditions but not all of them are designed for it, so be sure to double-check.

Types of Firearms

Different solvents are made for different firearms. If you’re cleaning an antique black powder pistol worth $5,000 then you may want to pay extra close attention to your solvents.

The majority of these solvents are designed for typical modern firearms. However, they will work for older firearms and you shouldn’t have much to worry about.

Why Gun Cleaning Solvents Are Important

You want to protect your gun from the elements and make sure that it will fire when you want it to.

This is the purpose of a gun cleaning solvent.

Some solvents are better than others and some are designed to do specific things.

We try to provide a little bit about each different solvent, so that you can make an informed decision. While we have are personal favorite solvents, we don’t want that to reflect your decision-making process because there are so many out there that I have not had a chance to try them all.

Keeping your firearm clean using a good cleaning solvent (CLP) is probably the best thing you can do. As well as taking the time to use a proper gun cleaning kit to clean it on a regular basis.

You need to prevent moisture buildup and condensation. If your gun is moist and you let it sit on a shelf or in a safe for a few days, you’ll find that it can quickly rust. Any water left on your gun is a very bad idea and can quickly ruin it.