SEAL 1 CLP Plus vs Other Gun Cleaners: An Honest Comparison
The gun cleaning product market is crowded with CLPs, oils, solvents, and miracle formulas. Most of them work. Some work better than others. Here's an honest comparison of SEAL 1 CLP Plus against the most common alternatives — no marketing, no hype.
What We're Comparing
- SEAL 1 CLP Plus — what we carry and use
- Ballistol — the German multi-purpose oil with a loyal following
- Hoppe's No. 9 — the classic bore solvent/cleaner, American institution
- Slip 2000 EWL — popular in the competition and duty community
SEAL 1 CLP Plus
Strengths: One product does all three jobs (clean, lube, protect) effectively. The paste variant is genuinely excellent for rail and locking surface lubrication — it stays in place where liquids migrate off. Non-toxic, low odor. Works well on suppressed firearms where heat accelerates lubricant migration. Auto-temperature stable.
Limitations: Costs more per ounce than Hoppe's. Not as widely available at physical retail as legacy brands.
Best for: Duty and carry guns, anyone who wants one product for all maintenance tasks, suppressor users.
Ballistol
Strengths: Genuinely multi-purpose — works on wood, leather, and metal. Good for older firearms with wood stocks. Biodegradable. Can be diluted with water for bore patching. Long track record (developed in 1904 for the German military).
Limitations: Strong, distinctive odor that many find unpleasant. Milky appearance when mixed with water. Not optimized for modern high-round-count semi-autos the way newer formulations are.
Best for: Collectors with vintage firearms, anyone maintaining wood-stocked rifles, multi-material applications.
Hoppe's No. 9
Strengths: Exceptional bore solvent — excellent at dissolving copper fouling from rifle barrels. Inexpensive. Universally available. The standard for bore cleaning for over 100 years.
Limitations: It's a solvent and light oil, not a true CLP. Strong odor. Not ideal as a lubricant — you still need a dedicated oil after cleaning. Not suitable for extended lubrication of semi-auto actions.
Best for: Bore cleaning on rifles with significant copper fouling. Use as a cleaner, then follow with a dedicated lubricant.
Slip 2000 EWL
Strengths: Excellent lubricant — very popular in the competitive shooting community and with serious duty carriers. Runs ARs wet without attracting excessive fouling. Good heat stability.
Limitations: Primarily a lubricant — not a strong cleaner. You'll still need a dedicated solvent for heavy carbon buildup. Liquid only (no paste option).
Best for: High-round-count competition shooters, AR-platform rifles, anyone who already has a cleaning routine and just wants the best lubricant.
The Bottom Line
| Product | Cleans | Lubricates | Protects | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEAL 1 CLP Plus | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | Duty/carry, one-product maintenance |
| Ballistol | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | Vintage/wood-stock firearms |
| Hoppe's No. 9 | ✓✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Bore cleaning, rifle copper fouling |
| Slip 2000 EWL | ✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | High-round-count competition |
For a duty or carry gun that needs reliable all-in-one maintenance, SEAL 1 CLP Plus is the right call. Start with the 2oz liquid for general use, add the 4oz paste if you want optimal rail lubrication. Questions? info@vdev.group.