I am an avid user of Ballistol and have been for some time. I however just got my first AR (Bushmaster XM-15). I have used Ballistol on every gun I have without giving it a second thought until now. Ballistols website says it is perfectly fine to use an aluminum, however it would be nice to have some real time experienced feed back on this issue.

Anyone ever notice adverse effects from using Ballistol on their aluminum frames ?

I do. I use Ballistol on all of my guns and knives. Works well on snow blowers too. tom.

 

It will work just fine. I do not use it due to the smell.

 

I started using it last year after I ran out of CPL.

I have used it on two AR's and half a dozen pistols, no issues at all.

Thousands of rounds total, guns are as reliable now as ever.

 

Use it on all my firearms. Don't see any reason to buy 2 or more bottles of cleaner and lube to get the same results.

 

Have been using Ballistol since 1985 on my AR's,everything,most especially black powder.
Just picked up another bottle of it today at the gun show,it was a bargain 8.00 for the 16 oz. bottle. SJ 40

 

My dad used to use it, and I figured out why after ruining a beautiful Sako. I was shooting it with old ammo which had corrosive primers. CLP does not neutralize those compounds. Ballistol does.

 

From the bottle I purchased today.
Protects aluminum prevents pitting and oxidation. SJ 40

 

My dad used to use it, and I figured out why after ruining a beautiful Sako. I was shooting it with old ammo which had corrosive primers. CLP does not neutralize those compounds. Ballistol does.

Sounds like user error. I don't think it's good to leave anything drenched in lube.

 

It was user error, but not in the way you describe. Most modern oils and cleaners are NOT suited for cleaning black powder weapons or weapons which are using ammunition containing corrosive primers (I still have a bunch of 5.45 military ammo which does). They do not neutralize the corrosive compounds. Ballistol ( and a few others) were specifically designed to do so. Ballistol was also specifically designed not to damage wood, unlike many other oils.

 

I use balistol on my ARs. No problems I can discern.

 

http://www.passapcanada.com/Ballistol_Lubricants/PAGES/Ballistol_Aluminum.htm


After doing a bit of digging , I found this article. The article deals with the aluminum vs alkaline oils topic. According to this, Ballistol is good to go with aluminum frames on firearms.

An interesting read if you are a chemistry nerd like me .

Thanks for all the replies.

 

I use it on everything it is simply the best for firearms and sporting equipment.

 

I'm on the Ballistol train too. I use it on all my firearms.

 

I have shot a match or three with black powder firearms,two pistols and rifle and shotgun and not had a chance to properly clean them.

I have sprayed them down liberally with Ballistol,nine days later I was able to clean them with zero rust or corrosion.

Did I mention that Ballistol makes shooting black powder easy almost as easy smokeless almost. SJ 40

Yea the acid neutralizing properties are outstanding. I remember fighting rust in my muzzleloaders when I was a kid, even after they was cleaned and well coated with oil. But then I tied Ballistol on them, and the rest is history. If a gun is covered in corrosive residue, and is soon after soaked in Ballistol, then the gun is safe until you find time to clean it. Which is a huge convenience.

I'm 100% Ballistol , even on my aluminum AR now.

 

I just started using Ballistol on all of my firearms. Seems to work very well.

The scent, however, leaves much to be desired IMO.

 

Whatever is lying around, usually Mobil1.

 

I must be strange because I prefer the smell of Ballistol to almost anything else I have tried. I have used it for years and from my Mosin to my AR and my 1911 to my Model 19 it has always worked well.

 

Especially like Ballistol for cleaning my AK and AR!

 

Just one opinion here. According to the MSDS available on their website Balistol (the non-aerosol) is essentially "white mineral oil." That's it. You can go to Walgreens and buy a bottle of the stuff for a few bucks. In perfumed form, it's known as baby oil.

Now, like all oils, it will provide lubrication and protection. I simply think it's a somewhat old-school product. Some of the more modern products may provide better or longer-lasting lubrication and protection.

For black powder and corrosive ammo use, the website recommends mixing with water, up to 90% water. It's the water that does much of the cleansing of the harmful residue. Many of the excellent water-based gun cleaners will do the same thing.

If you're happy with it, by all means, keep using it. It's just nothing special.

 

So who uses Ballistol on their AR?

Me.

 

Is it a cleaner or lube...or both?

"American by birth, Patriot by choice"

 

Both. tom.

 

Thanks Tom

 

My pleasure. tom.

 

I use Ballistol on all my firearms, including AR, on my work boots, on my squeaky truck doors, pretty much everything. I reckon that the smell doesn't bother me as I put too much stuff up my nose in my younger days.

 

I have used it and it works fine. Watch Hickok45 on Utube for somebody that loves the stuff.

 

And here is a link to Hickok45 and his Utube on cleaning an AR-15.

https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search...m/yhs/search?p=Hickok45+and+cleaning+AR15&ei=UTF-8&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-004

 

I use it wherever there may be a carbon deposit, AR, yep. I'll load the gas tube with it occasionally when I want the tube really clean. Makes cleaning the bolt a no-brainer. But Sweets on the bore.