So you want the best firearm lubricant?

[itsa pain]

I use a mixture of Vagasil, beeswax and ground tiger baculum.

funny

 

[HoosierQ]

I prefer Eezox over all else.

Rick

Well I don't care for EEZOX for lubrication but nothing beats it for rust prevention. For lube I use CLP, Remoil, or my own little concontion of Mobil 1 mixed with Marvel's Mystery Oil. Very slippery stuff. I use a little grease on rails too if it's handly. Just about any slippery oil will work, short term to lubricate a gun. For longer term lubrication AND protection from rust, the more expensive and fancy stuff comes in handy. If you wipe your gun down frequently and keep it dry, probably any oil will do the trick. The world is divided into two camps...WD-40 is just fine...WD-40 is terrible. I have found myself in both camps. I am splitting the difference and using it for all those millions of things folks us it for (I like it for conditioning a sharpening strop) but don't use it on guns or knives unless I am displacing water.

 

[P5 Guy]

i would not use kroil

I use Kano Kroil to clean powder and lead fouling. Penetrating oils are not lubricants. Mobile One and grease like EP2 are what I use to lubricate my firearms.

 

[Riomouse911]

It looks like we all have our favorites, and much like the Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge debates; they all seem to be working for those who bought them.

I've used 3 in 1, CLP, Rem-oil, Hoppes, Outers, on and on...and now I am using Slip 2000EWL. I read some reviews, bought a bottle, and so far it seems to be working as advertised.

The only "oil" I will not use is WD-40. I have seen firsthand how the stuff turns to yellowy glue over time in revolver innards. I'll pass.

None of my firearms have any rust or corrosion I can attribute to a "lack of protection" from the oil I used. A minumum of care and attention to your arms should prevent rust or corrosion from ever being an issue. (The only rust I can ever recall is from a P-226 being carrried for days on end in downpours and getting the gun and leather gear soaked through and through..and that was a Sig that went to Robar for Np3 shortly thereafter.)

All of these oils worked when I needed them to, and if the gun was properly lubed, it worked. (I have not, however, had to shoot one in -50 degree weather, maybe that'll be a difference maker someday) I bet Mobil 1, Lubriplate, Kroil etc would have worked just as well for me if those were on hand at the time.

if it works for you, and you have faith in it, use it. Nothing I or anyone else writes will ever change your mind.


Stay safe!

 

[jimmyraythomason]

WD-40 is my go-to for guns. No rust in over 45 years. I also use engine oil,wheel bearing grease and lithium. ATF too at times. I might even,in a pinch, use gun oil. I do have a dispenser of Progressive Product's gun wipes I bought for extenal wipe downs but find them to be TOO oily and very messy. WD-40 sprayed on an old tee shirt works great for this. The wipes are great for wiping down freshly blued guns and parts though.

 

[Vonderek]

I think there is too much ado about lubricants. If compared to a motor a gun cycles at a pretty low rate and there are lots of lubricants that will work fine. No need to buy the latest and greatest and pay big bucks for marketing. Lots of low priced options already mentioned that work fine.

 

[floydster]

I use plain old lard that we make on the farm, been using it for 60 years.
Use an old toe nail brush I got from my grand pappy to apply to the action and all.

 

[evan price]

Food grade?

Not planning on eating off of my guns anytime soon.

Mobil-One 0W20 synthetic oil works just fine for me. A little synthetic grease here and there as needed. Guns don't have high speed, high load moving parts. You could probably use bacon grease and be just fine, plus it would be food grade and smell great.

 

[OilyPablo]

I've been a sponsor on BITOG (Bob Is the Oil Guy) since 2001. I have a degree in chemistry and have been in the industry since 1982. I am NOT an old guy but I know a thing or two about lubricants. I found the article lightly written and easy to read. Knowing the constituents of ATF, I don't find it to be a great firearm lube nor oxidation preventative. It's basically in the same league as motor oil, only on the lighter side, with less AW additives, and yes some different additives. That said, there are some small engine oils with plenty of storage type oxidation preventative (vs in use heat stabilization type anti-oxidation additives), which may be useful with firearms IF you want to use motor oil on your guns. Frankly I DON'T like or use motor oils on my guns.

Indeed, use what you like and works for you. I do tend to change around a lot, so frankly I can't claim I've done some long term study with one lube in one application.

I don't use grease much but when I do, I use Amsoil synthetic spray grease - but Amsoil discontinued that product and came out with a replacement (I have not tried it yet because I have a case of the older stuff). I've tried heavier greases and most all #2 grease are WAY too heavy for firearm use, especially if cold and too much is used. I do use this light synthetic oil based grease on my semi-auto slides, but I use such a light amount it's barely visible. I do go a little heavier (slightly) when breaking in stainless-on-stainless only because I'm overly worried about galling (pure paranoia) but I've never had a problem.

For light oil I use Amsoil MP, and for medium oil I use corrosion-X. The only guns I purposely over oil a little bit are the AR's. I just think they are made to run a bit wet and I'm not dragging them through the sand. It makes clean up so easy.

For cleaning I recommend a 50/50 mix of Hoppe's 9 and Kroil.

 

[Bikewer]

I'm finding this kind of funny, but not for the reason you'd think. I've been using "Break Free" lubricants on my Glock for about 20 years... Because that's what the department supplies. Seems to work...

But what's amusing is that these very same kinds of threads take place... On bicycle forums.
Threads about chain lubes go on and on and on, with everyone pitching their particular favorite or their particular home-made brew.

Of course, bicycle chains live in a somewhat different environment than do firearms... But they are both exposed to the elements to some degree.

To those fond of motor oils, we point out that motor oils are forumulated to work in high-heat, sealed environments, heavily filtered. This does not apply to either guns or bicycles.... On bikes they not only attract crud but tend to get flung off.
Greases do not penetrate the internals of chain links, unless you heat the grease and immerse your chain... Doesn't apply to guns but greases also attract dirt rather badly.
Waxes are popular with cycists... they don't attract dirt but do tend to flake off. I don't know if anyone is using wax-based lubes for guns.
Silicone lubes have some followers but tests show rather low abrasion resistance.
There are numbers of modern, super lubes which combine petroleum products with teflon, molybedynum, and other chemicals which supposedly do everything all at once...

Let's face it, most firearms work pretty well with an absolute minimum of lubrication. I understand Inuits up in the Arctic use kerosene to avoid freezing.

 

[Knightsofnee]

50/50 Mobil 1 30w, Marvel Mystery Oil.

 

[doubleh]

Food grade? I've never felt the urge to try to eat one of my guns or even lick one of them for that matter so I'm not going to worry if my lube of choice is or isn't food grade.

I'm seriously considering switching to Preparation H for gun lube. It's greasy so it should furnish lubrication and it might shrink my groups.

 

[Al Thompson]

Based on the number of comedians we have, looks asked and answered....