BallistolMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Non-Aerosol, 16 oz. can, No Spray Trigger

Some things just work...and they work so well they stand the test of time and become a sort of icon. Okay, so Ballistol isn't really an icon for most people, but it HAS stood the test of over a hundred years and is arguably the best all-around lubricant/protectant available.Ballistol ("Ballistic" + "Oil") was invented by a German chemist at the turn of the 20th century for the German army to clean, lube, and protect mechanical/metal parts, woods, and leather. That's one of its great strengths: You can use it on darn near anything (except suede) and it will lube and protect it. Yep, wood, leather, metal, even most plastic. And as a huge bonus, its biodegradable, non-toxic to the environment, and safe to the touch. Pretty much, as long as you don't drink it or pour it in your eyeball you're good to go.I could previously say I used Ballistol mainly to clean and lube firearms (which it works fantastic for, by the way), but having experience with it for a long while now, I use it all the time on almost everything. I'm constantly finding great uses for it -- uses that make positive practical impact on whatever I'm using it on. The stuff is just great.Just a quick sidenote on using Ballistol on firearms: You don't really need ANYTHING else...I mean nada. It cleans, lubricates, and protects, all in one pop. You can chuck the variety of solvents and lubes and get the task done faster and better with Ballistol.Also, I recommend getting the non-aerosolized version because you can simply get a common spray bottle trigger head from anywhere and then you have the option of spray or pour.Like I said, some things just work, period, and Ballistol has become a staple product around my home. I absolutely recommend it.Edit: Several people have asked about the smell. That's not exactly a trick question but requires a brief explanation. The compound itself is pungent, no doubt about it. Whether it "stinks" or not depends a lot on personal opinion, but its definitely a strong smell that lingers in the room if you use lots of it (for example, soaking components and heavy cleaning/lube of firearms that need extra heavy duty attention). BUT...in terms of regular cleaning and normal maintenance and use, the smell is not an issue and fades completely within a couple of hours or so. The bottom line: the smell will not impede your use of Ballsitol and poses no issues significant enough to affect your decision to use it or not use it.

I've been using Ballistol on firearms for over 15 years. Ballistol does what a cleaner/lubricant/protectant is supposed to do. As a bonus it can:* Be safely used on wood, leather, and plastic.* Be mixed with water to clean blackpowder or corrosively primed ammunition.* Is non toxic, historic, and folkloric.What it can't / doesn't do:* Not a copper solvent or lead remover.* Makes a crappy honing oil.* Not a penetrating oil.* Unlike Hoppes #9, the odor will not trigger happy memories of cleaning guns with grand dad.* Will not improve your reading skills.All CLPs 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 but Ballistol works.What follows is written specifically about the 16 ounce (non aerosol) container.The 16 ounce bottle is the most versatile and cost effective way of buying Ballistol. There are some packages that come with a pump sprayer attachment thingy. The sprayer is not that useful. It puts too much Ballistol everywhere but where you want it. So just buy the bottle and you’ll be fine. But here’s what else you should buy if you don’t have:*A quality pump sprayer bottle (not a recycled Windex container).*A precision oiler.*A cheap shaving brush.The above items can all be had here at Amazon or at the local China-Mart.So here’s what you’re going to do to improve your quality of life through Ballistol.Decant some Ballistol from that unwieldy 16 oz bottle into your precision oiler. Pipetting with a drinking straw is the easiest way to do this. (If the gentle reader does not understand pipetting, there is probably a U-Tube out there…) For most uses, this oiler will be the go to delivery system for Ballsitol. Just use it like any CLP product.Next, in the sprayer bottle, mix up some water and Ballsitol in a 10:1 ratio. Shake it up and it will look like spoiled milk. This will be your Ballistol cleaner. This cleaner can be used for black powder or any corrosive residue. (Water is a wonderful solvent and the touch of Ballsitol that stays behind will protect metal surfaces from rust.) This stuff is also great on pocket knives, P-Mags, or anything else made of metal, plastic, or rubber that you want to clean but don’t want dripping with oil.I bet you’re wondering about that shaving brush? Dab a little straight Ballistol on the bristles and use it as an area applicator. This is much more efficient than using an oily rag. The bristles will get in and around screw heads and other crevices. When the brush gets dirty, just wash it under the tap and it will be ready to use again when dry.Ballsitol is an effective and efficient gun care product. By mixing it with water and using the brush and precision oiler, you can make 16 ounces last for years.This product is officially endorsed by the Library Marksmanship Unit (Semper Circa)

This is amazing stuff. I have a huge collection of different gun oils and I don't touch any of it now that I have used Ballistol. The only thing I touch is RIG Grease for very long term storage, the rest sits.This stuff has great corrosion protection. I collect military surplus firearms and haven't seen a speck of rust since I started using this. I wipe all the metal down on my guns after every trip to the range, and every 6 months if I don't use the firearm. This, along with storing everything in silicone gun socks, has prevented all rust. I live in a damp old house and I had 3 rifles rust on me and it really freaked me out. This was despite wiping them down after every range trip. I believe CLP is what failed me.Now that I use this, no more problems. It's a good lubricant too, and even works on wood!This stuff is a slow copper remover. I leave all my bores pretty well soaked in this stuff, then I run a patch through it before I shoot. The patch always comes out blue from removing copper while it sits. It doesn't do anything for copper in the short term, however. Don't expect it to do anything while you're cleaning the firearm, but it will gradually if you leave it in the bore.This is also great for using after shooting corrosive ammo. Mix it 1 part Ballistol to 10 parts water. It will look like milk. Flush the bore and exposed metal parts with that, then dry. Run a few patches of pure Ballistol thru the bore and wipe everything down with a soaked rag and you're done.

Cleans and lubricates well.