Hoppe's Gun Cleaning

About Hoppe's

Hoppe's was founded in 1903 by Frank August Hoppe, a German immigrant's son born in Philadelphia who served as a soldier in the Pennsylvania National Guard for 30 years.

Frank created his revolutionary "Nitro Power Solvent No. 9" by mixing nine chemicals, inspired by his military experience and understanding that proper gun care was essential for safety and performance on the front lines.

Before founding the company, Frank worked in the paint and varnish industry for over 20 years, gaining chemical expertise that proved invaluable in developing his gun cleaning formula.

Since 1903, Hoppe's has grown alongside hunters, shooters, and soldiers who depend on their firearms daily, continuously advancing technologies to meet changing needs in the firearms community.

Today, as part of Vista Outdoor Inc., Hoppe's maintains its position as the leading gun care company with over 120 years of proven reliability and innovation.

Popular Hoppe's Features

Original Nine-Chemical Formula

• The No. 9 formula has over 120 years of proven effectiveness and remains one of the few solvents independently certified against all firearm fouling types.

BoreSnake One-Pull Technology

• This innovative design combines multiple cleaning steps into one action, featuring an integrated brush and cleaning surface that eliminates the need for separate tools.

Gun Medic Fast-Acting Formula

• The dual-function formula quickly breaks down carbon and fouling while providing precise lubrication, designed for immediate malfunction resolution in the field.

Professional-Grade Chemistry

• Elite and Black Series products feature sophisticated formulations specifically engineered for professional shooters, modern sporting rifles, and demanding environments.

Universal Effectiveness

• Hoppe's products work on all types of fouling including powder, lead, metal fouling, and rust while remaining safe for various firearm finishes and materials.

Field-Ready Design

• Products are designed for use in challenging operational environments, from hunting trips to combat situations where reliability is mission-critical.

Best-Selling Hoppe's Products

Hoppe's No. 9 Solvent

• The original and most famous product, still manufactured using Frank Hoppe's original 1903 formula and remains the worldwide favorite for removing powder, lead, metal fouling, and rust.

BoreSnake Den

• This revolutionary one-piece cleaning system combines a cleaning brush and cloth, available for multiple calibers including pistols, rifles, and shotguns for quick field cleaning.

Gun Medic Cleaner

• Designed for quick action cleaning and malfunction clearing, this spray breaks up carbon buildup and can resolve malfunctions while extending operation for several hundred more rounds.

Hoppe's Elite Gun Cleaner

• Advanced chemistry designed for professional and high-performance applications, featuring sophisticated formulations that meet the demands of serious shooters.

Black Series Products

• Specialized 15-product line engineered specifically for MSR (Modern Sporting Rifles) and high-round count firearms, including suppressors and tactical applications.

Hoppe's Cleaning Kits

• Comprehensive solutions for handguns, rifles, and shotguns that include appropriate solvents, oils, cleaning patches, brushes, and tools specific to each firearm type.

Lead-B-Gone Wipes

• Specialized cleaning wipes that remove 99.9% of metal contaminants from skin, providing essential safety for shooters exposed to lead residue.

Foaming Bore Cleaner

• Advanced cleaning technology that provides deep bore cleaning through innovative foam action, ideal for thorough maintenance and accuracy preservation.

Popular Uses for Hoppe's

Military and Law Enforcement

• Trusted by professionals who defend the nation and serve in law enforcement, ensuring firearms perform when lives depend on them in challenging operational environments.

Hunting Applications

• Provides field cleaning solutions like BoreSnake for hunting trips, season preparation kits, and weather protection for firearms exposed to harsh outdoor conditions.

Sport Shooting and Competition

• Designed for competitive shooters who fire high volumes of rounds, offering precision maintenance and quick field solutions between stages or matches.

Home Gun Care

• Comprehensive cleaning solutions for recreational gun owners, including detailed guides for new gun owners and products for long-term firearm storage and preservation.

Professional Gunsmith Work

• Professional-grade products recommended by gunsmiths for shop use, restoration work, and customer firearm care across all types of firearms and finishes.

Hoppe's FAQs

QUESTION: How do I properly use Hoppe's No. 9 gun cleaner?
ANSWER: Apply to bore brush, run through barrel 3-4 times, let sit briefly, then follow with dry patches until clean after ensuring firearm is completely unloaded.

QUESTION: What's the difference between Hoppe's gun cleaner and gun oil?
ANSWER: Gun cleaners remove debris, fouling, and residues, while gun oils lubricate moving parts and provide long-term protection against corrosion.

QUESTION: How often should I clean my firearm with Hoppe's products?
ANSWER: Clean after every shooting session for optimal performance, or at minimum when accuracy begins to decline or after exposure to moisture.

QUESTION: Can I use Hoppe's cleaning products on all firearm finishes?
ANSWER: Most Hoppe's products are safe for standard finishes, but always consult the manufacturer's guidelines before use on special coatings or finishes.

QUESTION: Which Hoppe's product is best for my specific firearm?
ANSWER: No. 9 is excellent for general cleaning, BoreSnake for quick field cleaning, Gun Medic for quick action maintenance, and Black series for modern sporting rifles.

QUESTION: What makes Hoppe's No. 9 different from other gun solvents?
ANSWER: The original nine-chemical formula has over 120 years of proven effectiveness and is one of the few independently certified against all firearm fouling types.

QUESTION: How does Hoppe's Gun Medic cleaner work?
ANSWER: It breaks down carbon buildup through spray action, then evaporates leaving a thin lubricating film that can resolve malfunctions for hundreds more rounds.

QUESTION: Can I reuse Hoppe's BoreSnake cleaning products?
ANSWER: Yes, BoreSnakes are washable and reusable, making them cost-effective long-term cleaning solutions for field and home use.

QUESTION: Are Hoppe's gun cleaning products safe for indoor use?
ANSWER: Yes, but ensure adequate ventilation and follow all label instructions for safe use when cleaning firearms indoors.

QUESTION: What's included in Hoppe's gun cleaning kits?
ANSWER: Kits typically include appropriate solvents, oils, cleaning patches, brushes, and tools specific to the firearm type such as handgun, rifle, or universal applications.