I received this today from a friend. I don’t know if it is true or not. Has anyone any factual information about this?
The Firearms Training and Tactics Section has received multiple reports of a potentially dangerous situation that could occur from the use of a popular gun cleaner. Hoppes 9 Elite Foaming Gun Cleaner has been identified by more than one Law Enforcement agency as having the potential to damage the internal mechanisms in firearms. In more than one instance the use of this product has caused the formation of a glue-like bond on the internal parts and rendered the weapon incapable of being fired. In extreme circumstances this damage has been irreversible and resulted in the weapon needing to be replaced. Members of the Firearms Training and Tactics Section have not tested this product and have no personal experience with its use as this product is not in current use by our Department. Individual members may be using this on their personally owned weapons and are urged to use caution if they decide to use it.
I always stayed away from anything in “foaming” form.
To make it foam the manufacturer always has to add something to the cleaning solvent. What it would be? Who knows…
Foam is OK to clean the barrel, you always gonna remove the “foam” and put a light coat of lube. If you allow foam to get into action parts… you may have no chance to clean it later.
Hoppe’s Elite series is great, but please stick to regular Cleaner and Oil.
I agree with not using foaming cleaner. Seems to be an alternative shortcut of cleaning for a lazy @$$ that don’t want to put elbow grease into cleaning their firearms the right way. That foaming additive agent leave residue that gunk’s up and gets other debris to stick, causing issues.
I’ve always considered foaming type cleaners as temporary measures anyway. You have sent some rounds downrange. Spray some foam into your barrel and run a few patches until they come out reasonably clean. This will suffice until you get home and can do a proper weapon cleaning.
I’ve not used foam agents to clean firearms, but have in the house/garage. To me, most foaming solvents tend to leave a residue gunk build up (sticky), feels like something in the ingredients.
Read somewhere that for some products, the foam itself is a gimmick to give you the illusion it cleans, not unlike shampoo. We fall prey to it. I prefer thinner smoother cleaning solutions.
