Gear Review: M-Pro 7 Foaming Gun Cleaner

January 10, 2014

The inside of a bolt carrier is the dirtiest, hardest to reach place in your AR-15 rifle. There are so many small nooks and crannies that the only way to thoroughly clean it is using a dental pick, a box and a half of Q-tips and about an hour and a half of time. The guys behind M-Pro 7 realized that structures like these are a pain to clean, and have come out with a foaming gun cleaner to take care of that particular problem . . .

The bottle uses a push operated pump to get things moving, which differs from the Break-Free CLP foaming cleaner offering (which is in a pressurized aerosol bottle) and means that it won’t explode if you accidentally puncture it. It’s not a major concern for most people, but if you’re planning on carrying a bottle in your range kit it might be a factor you want to consider. Also different from the Break-Free CLP product is that the cleaner is a pure white color and less greasy than the “I just poured this out of the bottom of my decades old toolbox” yellow liquid that Break-Free CLP uses.

Insert one end of the provided plastic hose into the front of the bolt carrier, give it a few pumps and the foaming solution quickly fills every nook and cranny of the object. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe off the freshly liberated dirt and grime with a clean rag and you’re good to go.

In my experience with the product, it worked perfectly. It cleaned out the interior of the bolt carrier without any issues and did a better job than I ever managed with my prodding and scrubbing. The only issue is the price: it runs about $3 to $4 more than the Break-Free CLP offering. But in my opinion, it’s worth the extra couple bucks.

M-Pro 7 Foaming Gun Cleaner
Price: $15.75 from Amazon

Ratings (out of five stars):

Overall * * * *
A little more expensive than the competition, but it works.

51 COMMENTS

APBTFan January 10, 2014 At 19:07

A heated ultrasonic cleaner is the easiest way to clean the bolt.
- mark_anthony_78 January 10, 2014 At 19:16
  
  They cost a bit more than $15.75
  - Dan A January 10, 2014 At 19:51
    
    Mine was 30 bucks, totally worth it.
    - OCD January 10, 2014 At 20:38
      
      Do you have a link to that $30 unit or some info? ty
    - Tod January 10, 2014 At 21:19
      
      Is this a small jewelry cleaner type? I’d like to see what you’re using too…
    - William Burke January 10, 2014 At 21:26
      
      Maybe cheaper on QVC, but that channel’s reserved for when I can’t sleep. 15 minutes of QVC, and I’m out cold on the sofa.
      
      Guaranteed better than the Golf Channel.
    - Banana Ananab January 11, 2014 At 12:38
      
      http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html
      
      It was cheap. I guess they caught up with sales.
      
      Order reloading and cleaning specifics from here.
      
      http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/ultrasonics/turbosonic-casecleaner.php
    - Banana Ananab January 11, 2014 At 12:45
      
      http://www.amazon.com/Magnasonic-MGUC500-Professional-Ultrasonic-Eyeglass/dp/B007Q2M17K
Mat January 10, 2014 At 19:17

Gas piston system FTW (runs and hides)
- Wyfaggro January 10, 2014 At 19:21
  
  That also costs more than $15.75
- TangledThorns January 10, 2014 At 19:22
  
  Exactly! With my LWRC M6A2 the BCG only needs light oil and brushing. Now I do use the M-Pro 7 Foaming when cleaning my rifle and pistol barrels followed by a bore snake. It’s a great combo and the bore shines afterward.
  - OCD January 10, 2014 At 20:40
    
    I almost feel spoiled with my ldub A2 SPR. So easy to clean.
  - Mat January 12, 2014 At 05:30
    
    Same with my Sig 516 and 716 except I’m a frog lube guy
- Accur81 January 10, 2014 At 22:31
  
  My Ruger SR-556 is pretty easy to clean – except for the piston assembly. Ditto with the CMMG M4 LEP II piston 6.8 upper. My buddy’s POF 415 is a snap, too.
  
  This looks like a good buy for my DI ARs.
  - CAG404 January 11, 2014 At 07:36
    
    Accur81, yeah, agree that the SR-556 BCG is easier to clean than a DGI system. Pretty much remove it, wipe it down, oil it back up, and good to go. I use a .40 cal nylon brush to brush out the piston chamber up front. Does a pretty good job in getting anything out. I just scrub down the piston with the brush and CLP the best I can. Great reliable rifle. Never had any problems with it.
Matt in FL January 10, 2014 At 19:18

So many bottles of stuff reviewed here lately. It’s a good problem to have, but Nick’s shelf of gun-related liquids has to be starting to look like my girlfriend’s shower at this point. And I’m still just toddling along with my little bottle of Hoppe’s. For my guns, not my hair. Although…
- Mk10108 January 10, 2014 At 19:25
  
  Thanks for the chuckles
  - Chris V January 10, 2014 At 21:06
    
    +1 LOL
- William Burke January 10, 2014 At 21:28
  
  You should see my hot sauce collection. I wonder if hot sauce works on gun gunk and grime?
  - John L. January 11, 2014 At 00:35
    
    Isn’t that how you make tracer rounds?
jwm January 10, 2014 At 19:26

So, I’m guessing that a knotted bootlace and motor oil isn’t a viable option for cleaning these AR’s. Great apacolypse rifles.
- mark_anthony_78 January 10, 2014 At 19:32
  
  Bottles of gun oil will survive the apocalypse too, ya know… 😉
- Davis Thompson January 10, 2014 At 23:10
  
  Lots of folks use synthetic motor oil.
cutting torch January 10, 2014 At 19:28

Compressed air and a blow gun works better and faster than a rag, especially after a good cleaner, and it’s lint-free!

I clean a lot of parts. I’m a mechanic.
- OODAloop January 10, 2014 At 20:07
  
  Blow gun huh? I really wanted one of those in middle school and had no clue they could be used to clean gun parts with.
  - Swarf January 10, 2014 At 21:22
    
    Yeah me too. I was disappointed with what they actually did do.
    - scoutino January 10, 2014 At 22:58
      
      They sure don’t clean guns. But blowguns can be usefull and fun. Some 15 years ago I used 4′ piece of 1/2″ copper pipe with 5″ of sharpened hanger wire with some styrofoam to seal and stabilize the dart. It went right through a rabbit. Instant kill, good dinner.
      Technique is important: do not blow. Use the tongue to plug the mouthpiece and build as much pressure as you can. Then pull the tongue back. When shot into hardwood I needed pliers to pull the dart out.
  - Davis Thompson January 10, 2014 At 23:11
    
    I saw Martha Stewart shoot a blow-gun once. True story. And she was a damned good shot with it.
silverwarloc January 10, 2014 At 19:30

Hey, Nick. Would you use this on your SCAR 16? I’ve been using Hoppe’s on my SCAR 17 and for all of my hand guns.
Anonymous Coward January 10, 2014 At 19:33

Break-free isn’t for brakes . . . but for breaking 🙂
- Matt in FL January 10, 2014 At 19:38
  
  Haha, too late! I already fixed it!
Soccerchainsaw January 10, 2014 At 19:34

Scrubbing bubbles! Alright!
- Rich Grise January 11, 2014 At 01:12
  
  Beat me to it. 😐
John L. January 10, 2014 At 19:41

Dunk-kit.

Drop in, swish around, walk away and do something else for half an hour.

Come back, fish out, shake off, wipe off, lube, done.
Gov. William J. Le Petomane January 10, 2014 At 20:05

Hmmm…. for some reason I don’t have that problem with my mini-14.
- Gene January 10, 2014 At 20:45
  
  Gotta love the mini’s.
- Davis Thompson January 10, 2014 At 23:12
  
  Yeah, the Mini is an awesome rifle. I’m saving up for that adjustable gas block, though, so it’ll stop throwing my brass into orbit.
  - Gov. William J. Le Petomane January 10, 2014 At 23:59
    
    Yes, I hear NASA is pretty concerned what with all the space junk floating around these days.
OODAloop January 10, 2014 At 20:08

Whatcha gonna use to clean the charging handle & the chamber/barrel? Can we see another 2-3 cleaning products reviewed tonight?
Swarf January 10, 2014 At 20:57

is a pure white color and less greasy than the “I just poured this out of the bottom of my decades old toolbox” yellow liquid

Really? That’s a concern? Man, you AR nerds are weird.
Sixpack70 January 10, 2014 At 22:47

This is one reason why I like shooting my AKs. I go to the range, shoot, come home, wipe it off, and put it in the safe. My ARs, four hours later I might have it halfway done.
Michael Reed January 10, 2014 At 23:22

I have been here awhile but post little…. I actually enjoy cleaning my guns…Very relaxing to me… Q tips and all…
- TNMatt January 11, 2014 At 08:00
  
  I’m the same way, I actually look forward to it on the ride home after a trip to the range. Something about blasting chunks of lead through it and then making it look like it never happened after.
Southern Cross January 11, 2014 At 00:24

I used to spray the inside of the BCG with carburetor cleaner and then clean with a rag wrapped around a 5.56 NATO stripper clip. Clean again with another rag dipped in Hoppes solvent. And then with a dry rag.
4IDsoldier January 11, 2014 At 20:45

So I guess no members or vets of the Armed Forces are on here? Shaving cream anyone??? $1.50 a can and does exactly what this does…Common sense from the military wins again. Just because it doesn’t have “for guns” on it must mean it doesn’t work I guess.
- jwm January 11, 2014 At 20:59
  
  Vet here from a different time. Never heard of shaving creme as a cleaner. Learn something new every day.
- Yellow Devil January 12, 2014 At 00:08
  
  Ah the old shaving cream trick. Well to be fair, I have done it a couple of times cleaning my M16, but I never made it a habit. My results never seem to be consistent.
  - 4IDsoldier January 12, 2014 At 01:47
    
    You use the shaving cream. Let it sit in the nooks and crannies that are hard to reach. Flush with the hottest water you can stand and off goes the carbon and muck. Dry thoroughly (duh) and then dry again with a different completely dry cloth (for good measure) and then lube as normal.
    
    But honestly I spent about 27 months total in Iraq. LOTS of grimy, gritty, talcum powder-like sand that got EVERYWHERE in my rifle (M4A1 with M203 if it matters) and a quick wipe down and re-lube kept me fully functional in several fire fights, including 1 in the middle of a sandstorm. AR’s, both commercial and milspec are plenty reliable as long as they’re lubed in the right places and not completely full of dirt. Most civilian/ home defense/SHTF scenarios won’t have you going through the conditions of Iraq so I’m good without all this crap.
    
    Q-tips, cloths and a bottle of synthetic motor oil. About $10 worth of equipment can keep most guns you’d want in a SHTF scenario running for months.
YOLO January 11, 2014 At 21:40

http://www.slip2000.com/blog/s-w-a-t-magazine-filthy-14/

An AR needs to be cleaned??
jimmyjames January 12, 2014 At 18:16

Foaming bore cleaners changed my life. If I am really feeling lazy or completely beat after a day at the range, squirt some FBC, set timer on microwave for 1 hr, take nap, wake when timer goes off, rod out gun with dry patches, go back to sleep or head for the closest bar and grill.
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