r/canadaguns • u/anonyme450 • Aug 05 '26
Feets / Collection / My build Gun Care Advice
Hey all,
I just got my PAL and snagged a gorgeous Benelli Nova 3 HD (used but basically new) for $500, and I have absolutely zero idea what products I need to clean/lubricate this thing.
I looked at some forums but they're all 20+ years old and recommend disconnected products, but I keep seeing "CLP" popping up. What are some good recommendations for cleaning/regular maintenance for this shotgun/in general?
I should mention that I have a Huntshield all-in-one cleaning kit, so bore brushes and mops aren't an issue at the moment, unless there's a specific material I should use/avoid that I need to be aware of?
Thanks!!
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u/icedesparten Aug 05 '26
An all in one cleaning kit is a good place to start. CLP is a generic term for Cleaning Lubricating Protecting oil, just get what's available. I like to have both a standard oil bottle and an aerosol can of CLP on hand.
Cleaning a firearm is pretty easy. A quick clean is just running a bore snake through the barrel and a wipe down on exposed surfaces with a piece of paper towel or rag with some CLP on it, then a quick spray down the barrel (or some CLP on the bore snake). A proper clean involves at least a field strip (look up videos on youtube how to do it properly), properly scrubbing the barrel with the barrel brush followed by patches on the jag (cylidrical piece that attaches to the end of the cleaning rod), brushing then wiping down the receiver and action, and generally scrubbing anything that could get any fouling on it, followed by oiling any metal surface. This doesn't have to be done every time, but should be done at least once a year or after any heavy shooting. Cotton swabs are useful for getting anywhere that your fingers don't fit.
Just remember, if the rag or paper towel comes back with black, it's still dirty and could be cleaned more.
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u/anonyme450 Aug 05 '26
What a phenomenal response, and exactly what my autistic ass needed lol Thank you! I actually just finished watching a couple disassembly/reassembly videos for my exact gun, and one very outdated cleaning video, so this is perfect.
I bought an Extreme Duty Lucas Oil CLP bottle, a gun cleaning mat, a soft mallet, and paired with the cleaning kit and some q-tips/paper towels, I think I'm set for the first clean before going to any range/field. I'm also going to get some cleaning wipes just for the exterior.
Thanks again!
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u/Ok-Bowler-203 Aug 05 '26
YouTube is actually a decent source for gun cleaning tips. Learned how to clean most of guns through there.
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u/icedesparten Aug 05 '26
No problem, glad I could help. Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions, but cleaning your gun properly before a first range trip is definitely a good idea.
Places to watch for are the bolt face (especially under the extractor), the gas tube/ piston, and the rails that the bolt sits on.
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u/_MlCE_ Aug 05 '26
Copious amounts of Ballistolâ„¢
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u/pooshlinger2 Aug 05 '26
I went to my LGS and just asked for the guy to set me up. Bought a full rod and brush kit, brushes for the barrels i own, some cotton patches and a big bottle of balistol. Balistol on everything.
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u/Lumindan Aug 05 '26
CLP is "cleaner, lubrication and protection" or something along those lines. Basically a one stop shop. Personally I like a separate cleaner and then applying an oil afterwards (hoppes and MDT have combo packs)
Hoppes has it along with other companies like ballistol or MDT etc. they're all pretty much the same, there's some minor variations like how hoppes elite doesn't have a strong smell whereas ballistol smells horrible etc.
They all do the same thing. Dealers choice really.
Boresnake is great for a quick clean and it gets used and then stuffed back into the case every time (I let it soak every like, year lmao).
Only other recommendations is a vice or a gun butler, something to safely hold your firearm in place vs letting it sit flat, it's just a tad more convenient but entirely not required.
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u/anonyme450 Aug 05 '26
So I found the "Hoppe's Boresnake CLP All-in-One Hunting Cleaner" and that's apparently discontinued everywhere.
Does this work? A gun butler is a great idea, I just live in an apt. so I have very limited room. Definitely an investment option! For now I'm just buying a cheap gun mat to keep surfaces clean.
Any order/process to cleaning you can recommend/guide me through? I imagine the bronze brush heads I have would be used first to scrap off excess stuff, then a mop head or sponge on a rod with the CLP applied would scrub all the shit out and clean it? Or am I missing a step?
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u/Lumindan Aug 05 '26
Ive never used Lucas personally so I can't speak for it but most clps are the same.
I usually spray the areas I want to clean (ie chamber, barrel etc) then use the brush to break up the carbon build up, some paper towel or cotton patches (with some more clp applied because God my guns run dirty), then just run a few patches / rags through, apply lube to moving parts and rack it back. I don't take apart my entire rifle when unless it's a deep clean. Sometimes I'll just run my boresnake through the action and barrel with some clp and then call it a day.
I'd recommend you check out YouTube for a cleaning guide if you want a visual aid.
I don't buy my cleaner on Amazon, MDT for example has its own store, or check out your local gun store. Cabela's/Bass pro has stuff too but I'd rather support local.
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u/Jabronski95 Aug 05 '26
I use g96 for quick spray lube to prevent rust and keep the gun smooth. For a better clean I use mineral spirits on my shots guns to get the fowling out. Bolt lugs get a very light coat of molly grease. So guns don't like grease those get heavy weight synthetic engine oil. For rifles a copper solvent helps a lot. People get really wound up about lubricants on guns when in reality more surfaces faces far less sustained heat and wear then internal engine surfaces and bearings. You can find a lifetime supply on oil and grease at the auto parts store for cheap.
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u/rar3x2 Aug 05 '26
Been using Ballistol as the main CLP, works great, Project Farm also did a gun oil video, this one seemed to be the best all-rounder.
Get a dedicated carbon remover, this works better for the barrel/chokes. Tried this stuff called Breakthrough Clean recently and it works faster than other brands I've used for the past decade.
Bore snakes are better for the field and competition in a pinch, but a proper static stick is 10x faster and easier, you'll want it with a 12 gauge brush + rammer.
Grab some women's makeup cotton pads at a dollar store or something and ram it through after using the brush.
I felt like Hoppes is kind of trash, that project farm video proved it. Watch it yourself and make a decision for your use case.
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u/Acc4Wtf Aug 05 '26
Snakes are quick for field use, if you're home just use a rod, patch, and jag. Don't use the "slot" style heads where you slip the patch through it.
. Use the jag that has a spike on the tip and fits tightly down the barrel. Jags will actually clean your barrel, the slot will just tickle it.
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn Aug 05 '26
Get a bore snake and a clp