What is the Purpose of a Gun Cleaning Solvent?

Armory Den March 14, 2022

Information contained on this site is added on a regular basis. Due to the nature of the information posted, it becomes outdated rapidly. Users are therefore cautioned to independently verify the correctness of information contained on the website that may have become outdated. The info on our website is not legal advice and legal advice may only be provided by a properly licensed attorney. Visitors should always refer to the Product Guides on each respective Product Page to learn how our products are used.

As a firearm owner, you must clean your firearm regularly to reduce the risk of any accidental discharge. To properly clean the firearm, you will need gun cleaning solvent, many times referred too as bore cleaner.

What Are Gun Cleaning Solvents?

Gun cleaning solvents are cleaners that remove debris and residue from your firearm. They are usually chemically based formulas that rid your firearm of all the dirt buildup that causes your firearm to malfunction.

What Are Gun Cleaning Solvents Made Of?

Generally, gun cleaning solvents are made of acetone and toluene. Some cleaners also contain heptane, which helps dissolve oil build-up on the surface of the firearm. Some of the other components of gun cleaning solvents can be quite toxic, so be cautious when using them.

What Is The Importance Of A Gun Cleaning Solvent?

People get firearms for different reasons—some practice their shooting at the range; others for self-defense, and others as a hobby. Whatever your reason is, properly maintaining your firearm is a must, and that’s where gun cleaning solvents come in.

Below are some of the benefits of gun cleaning solvents:

Better Performance

Gun cleaning solvents help keep your firearm in perfect working condition. They remove the buildup from use and ensure that it does its job when you need it to. So, if you want your firearm to be in top working condition, you must clean it regularly using a gun cleaner.

Improved Reliability

Each time you use your firearm, residual fouling sticks to the barrel. For context, residual fouling refers to leftover particles from the burnt powder and bullet. This fouling can result in reduced reliability. Thus, a regular cleaning with a gun cleaning solvent is needed to remove all the gunk and buildup.

Safety

Gun cleaners remove all the pent-up dirt in the barrel of the firearm, which, if left to accumulate, can result in an accidental discharge. So, you can be assured that the firearm is safe for use.

Improved Accuracy

Gun cleaners help improve the accuracy of your shots by taking out the pesky buildup. If the gunk is left for too long, it decreases the precision of the firearm and can result in malfunctions.

Longevity

By simply cleaning your firearm with the right gun cleaning solvent, you can significantly increase its lifespan. The frequency of cleaning is dependent on how often you use the firearm; if you use it frequently, you’ll need to clean it more often.

Lubrication

Some gun cleaning solvents also act as lubricants for the moving parts of your firearm. That way, it stays well lubricated and ready for use anytime.

Factors to Consider When Picking Out a Gun Cleaning Solvent

Knowing how important a gun cleaning solvent is, getting the best one out there is wise. How do you know which one is great for your firearm with the wealth of options out there? That’s where we come in. Here are important points to consider before buying a gun cleaning solvent.

Compatibility With Your Firearm

Some gun cleaning solvents are designed especially for certain firearms. So, the first thing to look out for is the compatibility of the cleaning solvent with your firearm. Doing this will help you pick one that works great for the type of firearm you own.

Type of Solvent

Let’s take a look at these different types of gun cleaning solvents.

Liquid – these cleaners are easy to use and easily get rid of lead, copper, and lead residues. However, they can make quite the mess and are prone to spillage.

Foam – foam gun cleaners are super easy to use and target specific areas of your firearm. If your firearm has many buildups, we suggest getting a foaming gun cleaning solvent.

Aerosol – these types of gun cleaners come in the form of a spray and have a wider reach. They can get to all the crevices of the firearm that other cleaners can’t. They are also easy to use and can easily remove lead, carbon, and copper buildups.

Cost

Type of solvent and compatibility aside, cost is another major determinant of the gun cleaner. Choose brands of gun cleaning solvents that best fit your needs and are within your budget.

We hope you follow this guide and make an informed decision on the best gun cleaning solution for your firearm. If you need recommendations on some of the best gun cleaning solvents out there, then read the next section carefully.

Best Firearm Cleaning Solutions of 2022

Now that you know what gun cleaning solvents are used for and their importance, let’s look at two of the best firearm cleaners of 2022.

1. Solvent Trap Kits from Armory Den

A solvent trap is a firearm cleaning accessory that catches and traps gun cleaning solvent for later use or proper disposal. Armory Den’s solvent trap kits are made of high-grade materials. Pairing your choice of gun cleaning solvent with Armory Den’s solvent trap kits can help make firearm cleaning a breeze.

2. Hoppe’s No. 9 Gun Bore Cleaner

Hoppe’s No. 9 Gun Bore Cleaner is an extra-potent formula that tackles lead and carbon buildup in gun barrels. It is compatible with all firearms and smells good. Designed with a child-proof cap, this solvent is all you need to keep your firearm in pristine condition.

Firearm owners know that regular cleaning is needed to maintain the integrity of their firearms. A good cleaning solvent also helps maintain the physical appearance of your firearm so that it looks shiny and new. Thus, gun cleaning solvents are a must-have for every firearm owner.