Photo by Randy Wakeman

Rand CLP (randbrands.com/products/rand-clp) is a new "all in one" type gun cleaner/lubricant/protectant in the genre of Breakfree CLP, perhaps my most used gun care product over the last twenty years. Breakfree has been a good protectant, but not a very efficient cleaner, in my experience.

For an initial test I used a dirty part that I had readily available, a carbon-fouled gas piston from a Weatherby SA-08 12 gauge autoloading shotgun. Just a couple of drops of Rand CLP applied on a clean cotton patch wiped away the fouling, leaving a clean and shining part.

It is far more effective cleaner than Breakfree CLP, without doubt. After subsequent shooting, there was noticeably less carbon fouling and the entire gun was quicker and easier to clean. There was no evidence of any sludging or gumming.

Compared to Breakfree and others, the Rand CLP product has a higher viscosity, making it easier to apply and it tends to stay where applied. I have a goodly number of test guns on which to try RAND CLP, so this will be a longer-term evaluation than I originally anticipated. I'll be using it on inertia gun rails and pistol slides, for example. Because it lets guns run longer between cleanings and makes cleaning faster, easier and more convenient, this is a product with immediate, wide-spread appeal.

It seems to lack the short comings of many aggressive CLP products, particularly the destruction of many synthetic finishes. It doesn't stink and seems to be all the Rand has promised. RAND CLP is non-toxic, odorless, safe on all metals, polymers, woods and provides faster and easier cleaning after the initial pretreatment. RAND CLP claims:

·        Carbon build-up/fouling removal

·        Rust prevention

·        Jamming/malfunctions

·        Water displacement

·        Dirt, lint, dust - does not attach to the metal

·        More functional, accurate, durable firearm

·        Smoother slide, action and trigger pull

In some of the prior testing, modern motor oil with a coefficient of friction of .082 was treated with the Rand compound, which instantly reduced to coefficient of friction to a startling .017. Over the years, most of the over-hyped, over-priced, ridiculously sensationalized gun care products have rarely failed to disappoint. This is one product that shows no signs of not doing precisely as promised; a rare event, to make an understatement.

More testing and results to follow. It is going to take some time to report on results specific to firearm and action type. Rand Brands has offered a discount to readers of this article, so if you use RANDY15 as your coupon code, you'll get 15% off your order.