Is Breakfree CLP only suitable for AR, or suitable for any firearms?

[ocabj]

I prefer Militec since I come from the old school ideology that teflon is bad (primarily in bores).

I'll use Breakfree CLP to clean up any parts in non-competition guns, though, since it is a good cleaner.

But for my service rifle highpower cleaning, I stick with M-Pro 7 and Militec for the parts and Montana Xtreme solvent and oil for the bore.

 

[mrmeval]

CLP out performs most of the herd when it comes to protecting the gun.
Ed's Red cleans carbon and other gunk off like nothing else. It does not clean copper fouling.

Here's an earlier thread about some other companies product
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=50682

 

[jamz]

I tried Breakfree CLP, but it stunk so bad I ended up throwing it away. Not sure what's in it, but it hit me the wrong way, hard, and I'm not really smell sensitive.

I'll see if I can pick up M-Pro7;s CLP... I love me my M-Pro 7.

 

[Lucky]

I haven't used that version. My understanding is that while it exceeds the requirements for CLP on the LP part, it doesn't remove at least 80% of the fouling (the requirement for the C part) consistently.

One thing I have noticed with the SLIP 2000 is that you need a heavier application of the Gun Lubricant product to get the same use you would with Breakfree CLP. It lubricates just great initially; but it doesn't seem to last as long in use. It also works better when applied to a clean surface with no lubricant on it than it does if you apply it over CLP or some other product.

My records for use are 800rds in a day with Breakfree, 420 rounds in a day (started short stroking due to fouling at this point until more lube was added) with SLIP2000 in a rifle that had been using Breakfree, and 596 rounds over two weeks in a rifle that saw nothing but SLIP 2000 (still running fine when I finally cleaned and relubed it after the second range trip).

One nice advantage to the SLIP2000 though is easy clean up. Carbon wipes right off most surfaces and it doesn't leave a ton of crud/baked on crud behind like Breakfree.

Thanks, I think I'll order the EW then, since I can use Hoppes#9 to help clean.

 

[The Scandinavian]

The issue with Teflon/PTFEs in CLP was that in high heat, the breakdown of PTFE creates a caustic by-product that can etch the rifling. It isn't a huge issue; but it was enough that the military no longer uses CLP with PTFE (Breakfree stopped offering it to the public as well around 1998).

So unless you have some six year old cans of Breakfree lying around (I know I do actually), don't worry about it.

Now you've got me worried! "Prehistoric" (bought circa 1998) CLP that clearly states on the label "With PTFE" has been all that I have used on all my firearms for nearly a decade. I checked Breakfree's website and couldn't find anything about this problem there - is it really something that a normal user should be concerned about?

"T.S."

 

[Dr. Dickie]

PTFE is basically a perfluoronated compound (has fluorines instead of hydrogens on the carbon backbone). Under high heat, the fluorines can breakdown into hydrofluoric acid (really, really, nasty stuff).
How likely is that to happen in the bore? No guess. Considering how hot the barrel gets, you might form some. But IIRC, the PTFE on pans was only supposed to form if you left the pan on the stove and it got REAL hot (like red hot).
For the small amount of CLP you likely have in your bore, I would not sweat it; however, since you can get a new can of CLP Breakfree for about $3 at WallyWorld, why not toss what you got and sleep easier tonight.

 

[BsChoy]

I use it on everything from my Featherwieght to lawnmower and couldn't be happier

 

[The Scandinavian]

however, since you can get a new can of CLP Breakfree for about $3 at WallyWorld, why not toss what you got and sleep easier tonight

Yeah. More like $5 here but you still make a good point.

I've just been through my collection cleaning the bores again with Hoppes just to be on the safe side . Although I don't shoot until my barrels get red hot, I suppose the combustion temperatures are high enough for a few nanoseconds to maybe make a few picograms of hydroflouric acid? I'm not going to worry about it anyway

Cheers
"T.S."

 

[springmom]

Um.....

Because I use Hoppe's #9 on all my other guns, I've been using it on my AR. Is that a problem? It certainly seems to get everything clean, although certainly not very fast.


It's only had a total of 200 rounds through it so far, and it's been cleaned thoroughly

Springmom

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Now you've got me worried! "Prehistoric" (bought circa 1998) CLP that clearly states on the label "With PTFE" has been all that I have used on all my firearms for nearly a decade. I checked Breakfree's website and couldn't find anything about this problem there - is it really something that a normal user should be concerned about?

I doubt it. You can find a more detailed discussion in the pre-THR archives at The Firing Line (before December 2002). IIRC, Breakfree has something like 1% PTFE added to it. At temperatures above 600F (which is right around cookoff temperatures for many rifles), it forms a hydroflouric acidic gas. Assuming that whatever gas created by 1% of PTFE is left in the barrel and not blown out by the next shot fired, it could theoretically cause etching.

I don't recall any cases of this happening in real world use, though I know that benchrest shooters generally hate CLP because they get wider dispersion using it than they do using other cleaners. The fact that they can switch cleaners and fix the problem suggests that the lube is the issue and not etching though.

The earlier post I made in this thread was dated 2004 and I've learned a bit more about the subject since then.

 

[rero360]

Miltec all the way, started using it on my SAW and M9 a couple of weeks ago and haven't looked back, clean up goes from a 30 minute to hour long ordeal to a 15 minute quick wipe down. can't wait to start using it on my 240, it really holds up well to the sands here in Iraq, kuwait as well for that matter

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Because I use Hoppe's #9 on all my other guns, I've been using it on my AR. Is that a problem? It certainly seems to get everything clean, although certainly not very fast.

Hoppes #9 will work fine as a solvent for cleaning your AR. However, the Hoppes gun oil that comes with their cleaning kits will burn off at lower temps than CLP and doesn't offer the same level of protection if you are shooting a moderate (12-15 rounds per minute consistently) firing schedule.

Most of us use some type of CLP because it acts as a solvent and a gun oil, so we get to save a step in the cleaning process. It is also what the military uses, so you know you are at least getting the basic level of protection necessary for the rifle.

 

[springmom]

Thanks, Bartholomew. I'll pick some up. And it's okay to use it in the barrel to clean too, or is that still a matter of debate?

I want this thing to last a long time. It's way too much fun to mess up!!!!

Springmom

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Thanks, Bartholomew. I'll pick some up. And it's okay to use it in the barrel to clean too, or is that still a matter of debate?

I wouldn't hesitate to use Breakfree in my bore and I've used Breakfree for about 8,000 rounds in a barrel and had no problems with it. I've since gone to SLIP2000 Gun Lubricant because it makes for easier clean-up and disposal (no petroleum distillates or harsh chemicals that are hard on your hands) but still meets the same military specifications as Breakfree CLP. If you do use Breakfree, use gloves like you would with any harsh chemical solvent. There are medical studies showing that prolonged exposure to bare skin may cause irritation and is not healthy for you.

Probably not a big issue for recreational shooters; but for those of us who shoot a lot it is something to be aware of... It is always a good idea to check out the Material Data Safety Sheet for any gun cleaning product (SLIP2000 does not have this online, unlike Breakfree and many other manufacturers).

 

[springmom]

Thanks. I'll see if I can find some at Gander Mountain today (when I go buy some more .44mag ammo....shhhhh....)

Springmom

 

[Nitrogen]

I usually use gun scrubber to get the sticky film that CLP leaves out, then reapply clp to lube the parts that need lubing.

CLP, or any other lube tends to attract all sorts of pocket lint and fuzz on my carry gun, so I usually like to scrub EVERYTHING out then relube it.

 

[MAUSER88]

I've been using it on all my firearms for the last 15 years. I'm very satisified with it.

 

[Wes Janson]

What the heck is Type IV Hypersensitivity (or whatever they said) and how does CLP cause increased lymphocyte proliferation?

In other words, if I get CLP on my hands twice a month while cleaning weapons, what long-term health effect will it have?

 

[Ala Dan]

Break Free C-L-P

suitable for any firearms~!

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

What the heck is Type IV Hypersensitivity (or whatever they said) and how does CLP cause increased lymphocyte proliferation?

You would have to ask a medical professional about that. I wouldn't begin to understand what it means; but I am pretty sure I don't want any. According to Google, it can mean anything from an allergic skin reaction to something worse.

In other words, if I get CLP on my hands twice a month while cleaning weapons, what long-term health effect will it have?

Well, the two above show up as the same link; but there were actually two different studies. You can't find the second study using the search at that website but if you google "CLP skin penetration" then you can see a synopsis.

The short version is that the mice used in the above study have skin that is 6-36 times more permeable to CLP than human skin is, so they absorb more CLP internally. I do know that I would seriously consider wearing gloves when using any type of gun cleaning chemical. If you are cleaning twice a month, that is some serious potential exposure ten years down the road and most of those chemicals are not people friendly.