Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to explore Breakthrough Clean today. This relatively young company has quickly established itself as an innovative player in the firearm maintenance industry with their focus on non-toxic, high-performance cleaning solutions. Their science-driven approach to firearm care products offers shooters alternatives to traditional petroleum-based solvents and lubricants. Today we will examine the company’s background, their distinctive product formulations, key product lines, practical applications, and how their offerings compare to traditional maintenance options.
Who is Breakthrough Clean?
Breakthrough Clean was founded in 2013 by Erick Navarro, a shooter with a background in the automotive industry who recognized opportunities to apply advanced chemical technologies to firearms maintenance. Based in Orem, Utah, the company emerged with a specific focus on creating cleaning solutions that would be both highly effective and environmentally responsible. This dual focus has defined their product development approach since inception.
Unlike many established companies in the firearms maintenance sector with formulations dating back decades, Breakthrough Clean developed their products specifically to address modern shooting needs using contemporary chemical technology. This clean-slate approach allowed them to engineer solutions without the constraints of traditional petroleum-based thinking that dominated older product lines from legacy brands.
The company’s name reflects their mission to create cleaning products that represent a genuine breakthrough in performance compared to traditional options. Their early success centered on their Military-Grade Solvent, which quickly gained attention for its cleaning efficacy and odorless, non-toxic properties. This initial product established their reputation and provided the foundation for expanding their product line into comprehensive maintenance solutions.
Breakthrough Clean remains privately owned and continues to develop new formulations based on shooter feedback and emerging chemical technologies. Their presence has grown significantly in both commercial and professional markets, with adoption by various law enforcement agencies, military units, and competitive shooters providing validation for their performance claims.
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Distinctive Technology and Formulation Approach
What distinguishes Breakthrough Clean from many competitors is their specific formulation philosophy.
Non-toxic composition stands as a cornerstone of their product design. Unlike many traditional cleaning solvents that contain harsh chemicals requiring ventilation and skin protection, Breakthrough Clean’s formulations eliminate carcinogens, ammonia, and other potentially harmful compounds. This approach creates maintenance products that can be used safely in enclosed spaces without special ventilation requirements—a significant advantage for shooters cleaning firearms at home or in confined environments.
Odorless properties further enhance user experience compared to conventional petroleum-based products with their distinctive and often persistent smell. The absence of strong odors makes Breakthrough Clean’s products particularly popular for indoor use or among shooters sensitive to chemical smells. This characteristic also benefits professionals who need to maintain firearms discreetly or in shared spaces.
Biodegradable formulations address environmental concerns while maintaining performance standards. Most Breakthrough Clean products are classified as readily biodegradable, breaking down naturally without leaving harmful residues. This environmental focus represents a meaningful departure from traditional petroleum-based products that can persist in the environment and present disposal challenges.
Non-flammable characteristics enhance safety compared to many traditional solvents with low flash points. Breakthrough Military-Grade Solvent has no flash point, eliminating fire risks during use and storage—a practical safety advantage for both casual shooters and professional armories with significant quantities of maintenance products.
The company utilizes advanced synthetic compounds rather than traditional petroleum distillates. These engineered molecules provide specific performance characteristics optimized for firearms applications. The molecular structure of their cleaning agents is designed to penetrate carbon fouling more effectively than conventional products, lifting contaminants rather than simply dissolving surface layers.
Key Product Offerings
Breakthrough Clean organizes their product line into several distinct categories:
The Military-Grade Solvent represents their flagship product and established their market presence. This high-performance cleaning solution quickly cuts through carbon, copper, lead, and powder residue without harsh chemicals or petroleum distillates. Available in various sizes from small bottles to bulk containers, this solvent works effectively across handguns, rifles, and shotguns regardless of action type.
The Battle Born High-Purity Oil provides their primary lubricant solution engineered specifically for firearms applications. This synthetic oil maintains performance across extreme temperature ranges from -65°F to 507°F without gumming or evaporating. The formulation includes anti-wear additives and corrosion inhibitors while maintaining a lightweight viscosity that doesn’t attract debris or build up in precision components.
The Battle Born Grease complements their oil for applications requiring more persistent lubrication or protection in high-pressure contact areas. The synthetic grease maintains proper consistency across temperature extremes without separating or hardening. This product proves particularly valuable for high-stress components like slide rails, bolt carrier groups, and operating rods that benefit from more substantial lubrication than oil alone provides.
The Carbon Killer presents a specialized solution for extreme carbon fouling scenarios. This amplified formula targets hardened carbon deposits often found in MSRs, suppressed firearms, and high-round-count competition guns. While stronger than their standard solvent, it maintains the non-toxic, odorless characteristics of their core products while providing enhanced performance against stubborn carbon buildup.
Cleaning kits in the company’s Vision Series and accessories complete their offerings with purpose-designed tools including their HP Pro cleaning kit with stainless steel rods, bronze and nylon brushes, and specialized jags. These accessories complement their chemical solutions to create comprehensive maintenance systems for pistols, rifles, and shotguns.
Practical Applications
Breakthrough Clean products serve diverse shooter needs across various applications.
For recreational shooters, the primary advantages center on safety and convenience. The non-toxic, odorless formulations eliminate concerns about using harsh chemicals in home environments, while the efficiency of their solvents reduces cleaning time after range sessions.
Competition shooters benefit from the products’ efficiency and reliability. The Military-Grade Solvent’s ability to quickly remove powder residue and carbon buildup reduces maintenance time between stages or matches, while the Battle Born lubricants provide consistent performance across weather conditions.
Professional users including law enforcement and military personnel appreciate the performance consistency across environmental extremes. The non-flammable nature of Breakthrough products enhances safety in armory settings, while their effectiveness on full-auto platforms and suppressed weapons addresses specific professional requirements.
Collectors and precision shooters value the gentle yet effective nature of Breakthrough products. The non-acidic formulations safely clean valuable firearms without risking finish damage, while the precision lubricants maintain accuracy potential without attracting dust or contamination that could affect performance.
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Comparison to Traditional Products
Several key differences distinguish Breakthrough Clean from conventional cleaning products.
Cleaning effectiveness generally exceeds traditional petroleum-based solvents, particularly for carbon fouling. The engineered molecular structure penetrates and lifts carbon rather than slowly dissolving it, resulting in faster cleaning sessions with less mechanical scrubbing required.
Safety advantages include the elimination of strong odors, flammability risks, and toxic exposure concerns associated with many traditional products. While conventional petroleum distillates and ammonia-based copper solvents require careful handling and ventilation, Breakthrough products can be used safely in confined spaces.
Environmental impact represents another significant difference. Traditional petroleum-based products present disposal challenges and environmental persistence, while Breakthrough’s biodegradable formulations break down naturally.
The primary trade-off comes in price, with Breakthrough products typically commanding premium pricing compared to basic petroleum-based alternatives. Many users find this premium justified by the performance advantages and improved user experience, particularly for frequent shooters or those cleaning firearms in home environments.
Conclusion
Breakthrough Clean represents a modern approach to firearms maintenance, utilizing advanced chemistry to create products that clean effectively while addressing health, safety, and environmental concerns associated with traditional petroleum-based solutions. Their Military-Grade Solvent, Battle Born lubricants, and specialized formulations offer shooters comprehensive maintenance options that perform well across diverse firearms platforms and shooting applications.
The company’s focus on non-toxic, odorless formulations provides practical advantages for today’s shooters, many of whom clean firearms in home environments rather than dedicated workshops. Their synthetic approach to lubricants delivers consistent performance across temperature extremes, enhancing reliability for both recreational and professional applications.
For shooters seeking alternatives to traditional petroleum-based cleaning products, Breakthrough Clean offers scientifically engineered solutions that demonstrate the potential for innovation in the firearms maintenance category.
We here at True Shot Ammo carry Breakthrough Clean products in addition to our range of ammo for sale. Our inventory includes popular calibers like 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Whether you want to buy Breakthrough Clean products or purchase bulk ammo, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.