What a mess.

Don't recall exactly where I heard or read the story of an old SAS officer who ended up in the desert (years/decades ago) who ended up (having to) order crates of gin for his staff and crew as a gun-cleaner.

Evidently the stuff he got was good enough as a solvent, left a very slight residue of oil (juniper?), and kept the men happy enough to get them through the affair.
A few years ago I was doing security/perimeter work during summer months in the northern nevada desert. The weather would go to shit from total zero visibility white-out dust storms to torrential rainfall (turned the world to a bowl of grease - damn that mud!) to dry and hot sun exposure up to 109F
Although I never had to shoot anyone so I can't speak for combat-effectiveness, I did action drills in-condition anyway and (because I could) I test-drove the gin as daily hygiene for my 1911 - with great success.

Made for easy decision-making on the after-hours cocktail selection process!

I've used gin quite a few times over the years as an ultra-light lubricant for my hair-clippers too.
I don't give a decent haircut, but at least I have the gin handy...

did I just drive this thread completely off the rails..? must be the gin...

Cheers
Tinker