Grease or just oil?
- Thread starter SoFRamRod
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Grease is a thickner with oil. The oil does the lubrication. Greases hold to surfaces better.
For the number of rounds I shoot, the surface holding ability of grease does not matter. Oils clean up easier, I tried grease in my M1911's, the stuff is much harder to remove from all the nooks and crannies.
For the number of rounds I shoot, the surface holding ability of grease does not matter. Oils clean up easier, I tried grease in my M1911's, the stuff is much harder to remove from all the nooks and crannies.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Grandpa used to say ,
If it rusts, oil it, If it moves grease it.
I use a small amount of Mobil one on my rails.
If it rusts, oil it, If it moves grease it.
I use a small amount of Mobil one on my rails.
I've seen heavy coats of heavy grease on slide rails slow the action enough to cause malfunctions.
On the other hand, light coats of light grease (like Tetra) can work well on slide rails. I do that myself for pistols that may set for a long time before they need to be used.
For general use, and definitely for competition use where the gun sees a lot of use, oil works just fine.
On the other hand, light coats of light grease (like Tetra) can work well on slide rails. I do that myself for pistols that may set for a long time before they need to be used.
For general use, and definitely for competition use where the gun sees a lot of use, oil works just fine.
icanthitabarn
Member
I grease with reload lube in warmer weather.
JTQ
Member
I use oil, but then I'm shooting all steel guns.
The SIG guys recommend grease for their aluminum framed guns.
http://grayguns.com/lubrication-of-sig-sauer-pistol-rails/
The SIG guys recommend grease for their aluminum framed guns.
http://grayguns.com/lubrication-of-sig-sauer-pistol-rails/
non2os13
Member
I use tetra grease for the slide rails and other high friction areas.
marcclarke
Member
Same here. Shooter's Choice red synthetic grease also works well.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
Grease is probably best on frame rails that make full contact with the slide, especially aluminum frames. SIG-Sauer recommends grease there, for example. Plastic frames that just have little steel tabs only need a little oil.
bigfatdave
Member
I grease things that slide and oil everything else.
Good thing to have on hand, don't spend too much time worrying about the "best" grease, anything for guns is fine and will last a long time. The syringe applicators are nice, and refillibale if you manage to empty one.
Good thing to have on hand, don't spend too much time worrying about the "best" grease, anything for guns is fine and will last a long time. The syringe applicators are nice, and refillibale if you manage to empty one.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
All the grease you really need is a dab about the size of a kitchen match head, rubbed in with your finger and the excess wiped off after the gun is assembled. It doesn't need to ooze everywhere.
flphotog
Member
I used to use grease but since switching to break free cop that's all I use. I also makes cleaning a lot quicker.
Urban_Redneck
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An acid brush makes applying a thin coat of grease fast and easy.
YMMV
YMMV
"Heavy coats of grease" causing stoppages is nonsense.
If you're using an appropriate grease, it doesn't matter. If you're using bearing grease, then yes. Bearing grease makes a mess out of a gun. Not all grease is the same. Ever heard of viscosity?
Blaming lubricants for stoppages (assuming the lubricants are appropriate for the application) is just an excuse for a gun in poor condition, a design flaw, or your ammo is too weak. There's only so much space between your frame and slide for the lube to occupy. The rest gets kicked out when you reassemble.
If you're using an appropriate grease, it doesn't matter. If you're using bearing grease, then yes. Bearing grease makes a mess out of a gun. Not all grease is the same. Ever heard of viscosity?
Blaming lubricants for stoppages (assuming the lubricants are appropriate for the application) is just an excuse for a gun in poor condition, a design flaw, or your ammo is too weak. There's only so much space between your frame and slide for the lube to occupy. The rest gets kicked out when you reassemble.
bigfatdave
Member
+1 on the acid brush application, I either use a little bitty brush, a syringe, or a finger tip, the brush wastes the least grease.
matrem
Member
Grease has the potential to "lube" longer, but..
In almost every lubrication requirement, proper oiling is every bit as adequate, and far harder to overdo.
In almost every lubrication requirement, proper oiling is every bit as adequate, and far harder to overdo.
red rick
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- Aug 11, 2009
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- 3,152
Grease can hold dirt and act like a lapping compound. I use oil. Just think what oil does for your cars motor. Change your oil regular in your car and clean your guns after shooting and before if they have been setting a long time. They will last a long time.
I think if you have a Glock it doesn't matter much
I've fired them dry, wet, and gooped up on gop, and they haven't failed.
I think lubrication is probably less critcal for Glocks than Glock owners would like to believe. I have heard that the number one reason Glocks go back to Glock is because they are over-lubricated. It may be an Internet rumor - I have no idea...
I haven't had any problems - well I've head one problem, failure to ignite Wolf 9mm... and that cartridge had a good sized indentation put in the primer by the firing pin - not the gun's fault.
I've fired them dry, wet, and gooped up on gop, and they haven't failed.
I think lubrication is probably less critcal for Glocks than Glock owners would like to believe. I have heard that the number one reason Glocks go back to Glock is because they are over-lubricated. It may be an Internet rumor - I have no idea...
I haven't had any problems - well I've head one problem, failure to ignite Wolf 9mm... and that cartridge had a good sized indentation put in the primer by the firing pin - not the gun's fault.
FuzzyBunny
Member
Someone up there said "If it slides, grease. If it rotates, oil"
My Grandpa always said "If it slides, oil it. If it rotates, Grease it"
They grease roller bearings and wheel bearings do they not?
Course Grandpa from time to time dramk a little whiskey for rumatiz, it never cured it.
Really though with todays mixed metals in the frame and a different one for the slide, that creates other problems. I use Lubriplate or wheel bearing grease.
I think the .mil says to grease rolling things in rifles.
My Grandpa always said "If it slides, oil it. If it rotates, Grease it"
They grease roller bearings and wheel bearings do they not?
Course Grandpa from time to time dramk a little whiskey for rumatiz, it never cured it.
Really though with todays mixed metals in the frame and a different one for the slide, that creates other problems. I use Lubriplate or wheel bearing grease.
I think the .mil says to grease rolling things in rifles.
SabbathWolf
member
I just use Remington Rem Oil with Teflon.
Or other CLPs.
Works fine for me.
Never used grease in my life to be honest.
Or other CLPs.
Works fine for me.
Never used grease in my life to be honest.
FuzzyBunny
Member
For guns I shoot very seldom I use grease all over.
Kinda like a poormans cosmoline. Of course I wipe them down real well to get the thin film of grease off before firing.
Other guns I shoot I use either grease or oil.
Mobile 1 is a pretty good all around oil. Hard to beat the price.
On my really nice keepers for ever, hand down to the grandkids rifles I use Shield but I hear it going by another name now. On your hand me down firearns that will go down the line. Be sure and stay on top of any rust or tarnish if it has silver on it, check at least once a year.
Some I oil and keep on mason jars that I vacuum seal with a Tilia vac sealer. Over the years I have NEVER had to re oil or mess with them.
Some guns I just can't afford to shoot now. This too shall pass.
Kinda like a poormans cosmoline. Of course I wipe them down real well to get the thin film of grease off before firing.
Other guns I shoot I use either grease or oil.
Mobile 1 is a pretty good all around oil. Hard to beat the price.
On my really nice keepers for ever, hand down to the grandkids rifles I use Shield but I hear it going by another name now. On your hand me down firearns that will go down the line. Be sure and stay on top of any rust or tarnish if it has silver on it, check at least once a year.
Some I oil and keep on mason jars that I vacuum seal with a Tilia vac sealer. Over the years I have NEVER had to re oil or mess with them.
Some guns I just can't afford to shoot now. This too shall pass.
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