Thread: Solvents & Lubricants/Oils

Hey yall, first post here. Looking forward to being part of the community, I've been snooping around the last week or so. I'll be putting in an order soon for rings from state side and was thinking I might as well get a cleaner and some oil in the same order. Has anyone ever imported these items in? Customs have an issue with them? THanks.

Some of the cleaners are not exported just check with the outfit you are buying from what they will and won't export, JB compounds ok, I stock up on jags and brushes, ready cut patches are handy to fill the parcel the Americans tend to throw every thing in a big carton.

Hi shoot, vendor (opticsplanet) seems to have no problem with sending, up to the last step of checkout process which is payment I got Hoppe's 9 and Froglube in there. Just worried about customs on NZ side but if you say JB is fine it should be ok? Anyone brought in Hoppe's or Froglube? Or other products?

Why would you bother?

Wouldn't it be better to use the space on items that you can't get or are considerably more expensive here?

Seems a bit pointless bringing in consumables.

Well there wasn't really anything I needed light/small enough that was worth paying shipping on, shipping on gun vise was like extra $80. It may be pointless for you, but I like to make any savings I can being a uni student. The original intent of the order wasn't for the consumables anyway...

Originally Posted by twiggles94

Well there wasn't really anything I needed light/small enough that was worth paying shipping on, shipping on gun vise was like extra $80. It may be pointless for you, but I like to make any savings I can being a uni student. The original intent of the order wasn't for the consumables anyway...

Gun vise... and you are trying to make savings because you are a uni student - how about you don't need the gun vise? Cleaning mine, I just use the bipod mostly...

Originally Posted by twiggles94

Well there wasn't really anything I needed light/small enough that was worth paying shipping on, shipping on gun vise was like extra $80. It may be pointless for you, but I like to make any savings I can being a uni student. The original intent of the order wasn't for the consumables anyway...

Hope you're not studying economics

I use Otis works well for me, between Cabelas and Optics planet I placed an order that would last me a couple of years.

I've had Sinclairs refuse to ship anything liquid at the last moment. Pastes and grease seem OK. It's not customs, more an aircraft safety thing. NZ suppliers will post however.

Will be interested to hear if you actually get them.


Cost of international shipping has gone up a lot past couple of years. Generally prohibitive for big heavy stuff. Have a look at a NZ mail order company eg Reloaders supplies Outdoor Supplies or Serious Shooter The best value for overseas mail order is the small range of little tools you can't get in NZ like reloading dies, special jags, dry and grease lubes and so on but usually if its available at all in NZ it will be just as cheap overall.

As said, many shooters go a long time without a special gun vice. I use a couple of sandbags for cleaning, installing sights and so on. A vice could be useful if you're doing a bit of gunsmithing I suppose.

Does any one use grease on their bolts or shotgun actions iv always been told to just use oil but some of the wear surfaces seem begging for grease. I slapped togeather a stand for cleaning/maintanance out of some old kauri weather boards cost me nothing and looks like a brought one even with my shitty wood working skills

Nathan foster (maintenance and accurising bolt action rifles) is a great fan of grease. Traditionally in nz it has been frowned on and people try to keep their action clean and dry. However Dean Maisey and anothrr respectd shooting mate both recommended grease on the bearing surfaces of the bolt lugs to prevent galling so i do it now. Common sense is to wipe off all visible grease after applying. Dont get it on the bolt face or in the chamber or trigger. Use a special rifle bolt grease.

Originally Posted by Cuz

Does any one use grease on their bolts or shotgun actions iv always been told to just use oil but some of the wear surfaces seem begging for grease. I slapped togeather a stand for cleaning/maintanance out of some old kauri weather boards cost me nothing and looks like a brought one even with my shitty wood working skills

I've been using G96 on my shotgun following the recommendation of a range officer who has used it for 10+ years on his Benelli. It does seem to work great. It's a CLP (cleans, lubricates, protects). Comes in a spray can and smells great. Very impressed, I might try it on my 308 next.

G96 is more like an oil, so no I haven't tried grease. I have heard a lot of people grease the locking lugs on their bolts though.