28-Oct-2026
Walk into any gun shop or open any gun-care shelf and you will find the same handful of names: Clenzoil, Napier, Bisley, Hoppe’s, and a few more besides. They all promise to protect your gun, and they all do something useful, but they are not interchangeable. The right choice depends on what you shoot, how often you clean, and what you are trying to achieve, whether that is a quick wipe-down after a wet day or a proper bore clean after a long session.
This guide compares the main options in plain terms so you can pick sensibly. We have kept the advice general, because every maker publishes its own instructions for its own products, and your gun’s manufacturer always has the final say on what to put on it.
Oil, solvent, and grease are different jobs
Before comparing brands, it helps to separate the jobs. A solvent or bore cleaner is there to loosen fouling and residue. A gun oil is there to leave a thin protective film on metal surfaces and moving parts. A grease stays put on parts under load, such as hinge pins or action faces. Some products are marketed as all-in-one cleaner-lubricant-protectant sprays and are popular for convenience.
Many problems come from using the wrong product for the job, or too much of it. A light, even coat is nearly always better than a heavy one, and anything left in a bore or action that should be dry can attract grit. When in doubt, check the instructions from your gun’s manufacturer.
Browse: Gun parts and accessories · Napier gun care · Hoppe’s No. 9 · Tetra Gun grease
Clenzoil: The field-and-range favourite
Clenzoil is a familiar name among UK shooters, and the Field and Range range is the one most people search for. It is sold in a variety of formats, including aerosols, pads and kits, which makes it easy to keep a small tin in the gun room and something more portable in the field bag. Pads are handy for a fast wipe over metalwork after a damp outing.
The appeal is simplicity: one product family that covers cleaning and protection for a wide range of guns. If you value convenience and a product you can use in a hurry, it is a good place to start. There is also a multi-calibre rifle cleaning kit for those who want the rods and brushes in one box.
Browse: Clenzoil Field and Range · Clenzoil Field and Range pads · Clenzoil multi-calibre rifle kit · Clenzoil grease syringe
Napier: A broad gun-care and accessories range
Napier covers a lot of ground. Alongside gun oil and a combined cleaner and lubricant, you will find pull-through cleaning kits for airguns, jags, stock-care kits and a wide choice of bags, hearing protection and shooting glasses. That breadth is useful if you like to buy from one maker.
For shotgun and rifle owners, the gun oil and the cleaner-lubricant are the obvious starting points. For airgunners, the dedicated pull-through kits are designed with smaller bores in mind. As ever, follow the instructions on the product and from your rifle’s maker.
Browse: Napier gun oil · Napier gun cleaner and lubricant · Napier airgun pull-through kit · Napier ultra clean jag
Bisley and Hoppe’s: The traditional choices
Bisley is a longstanding country sports name, and its gun-care lines include gun oil, gun blue, snap caps and cloths. It is a sensible option for general maintenance and for the practical extras that make cleaning easier. Snap caps, for example, are worth having if you ever dry-fire or practise handling.
Hoppe’s is one of the best-known solvent names in the world, and the No. 9 bore cleaner has a loyal following. People who clean rifle bores regularly often keep it on the shelf, and it pairs naturally with good rods and bore guides. If your main concern is getting a bore properly clean after a session, a dedicated solvent such as this makes sense.
Browse: Bisley gun oil · Bisley gun blue · Bisley snap caps · Hoppe’s Elite
Rods, mops and kits: The gear that does the work
A good solvent is only half the story. The rod and the accessories do the physical work, and cheap or rough gear can do more harm than good. Look for a smooth, one-piece or well-made rod, a bore guide to keep the rod centred, and a set of mops and jags that suit your calibre.
Rifle shooters often prefer a bore guide and a quality rod, while shotgun owners might prefer a simple rod and mop set. Kits are a sensible way in because they bundle the essentials, though you may upgrade individual parts over time. If you are cleaning after a wet day, our guide to cleaning a shotgun after a wet day in the field walks through the process.
Browse: Magic Bore cleaning rod · Pro-Shot bore mop · Pro-Shot bore guide · Tikka cleaning kit
Picking the right set-up for you
A quick way to decide is to start with what you shoot:
Shotgun owner: a gun oil for the metalwork, a simple rod and mop set, and a cloth. Add a protective pad for wet days.
Rifle shooter: a bore solvent, a quality rod with a bore guide, and a suitable oil.
Airgunner: a dedicated pull-through kit sized for your calibre, and cleaning advice from your rifle’s maker.
Anyone short on time: an all-in-one cleaner and lubricant plus a few pads, kept in the gun room.
If you are still building your set-up, a vice or cradle makes the job easier and safer, because it holds the gun steady while you work.
Browse: Tipton gun vice · MTM gun vice · Gun parts and accessories · Napier gun care
Common mistakes to avoid
A few habits cause more trouble than any choice of brand. Using too much oil is the most common, because the excess runs into places it should not be and collects dirt. Cleaning from the wrong end of the bore, or using a damaged or rough rod, can harm the barrel. Mixing products without reading the label is another. And leaving a wet gun in a slip overnight is a recipe for rust.
Keep it simple: clean the gun properly, dry it, apply a light protective film, and store it somewhere dry. Check on it occasionally if it will be unused for a while, particularly through the damp winter months.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clenzoil good for shotguns and rifles? It is widely used by UK shooters and suits general cleaning and protection. Always check the product label and your gun maker’s guidance for your particular firearm.
Can I use the same oil on my shotgun and my air rifle? Not necessarily. Airguns have seals and air chambers that can be sensitive to oil, so follow your rifle maker’s instructions rather than assuming.
How often should I clean my gun? After use in wet weather, and regularly during a busy season. Your gun’s manual will usually give the maker’s recommendations.
Do I need a full kit, or just oil and a cloth? A cloth and oil cover basic maintenance. A rod, mop and bore guide are worth adding if you clean bores regularly.
Shop gun care on Rightgun.uk
Rightgun.uk lists gun oils, solvents, rods, kits and maintenance accessories from across the UK, alongside the guns they are made for. Browse the range, compare what is on offer, and if you have kit to pass on, list it with us and reach buyers who are already looking.
Further reading: Clean a shotgun after a wet day in the field, Winter gun care, Air rifle maintenance guide, and Gun maintenance.
