Which gun oil?

[Axis II]

Well after hunting in snow and rain for over a week and absolutely no time for anything I forgot to clean them. I have some light surface rust on them and usually grab a rough rag and wd40 or some light steel wool, but I read somewhere that WD40 isn't good for firearms. What do you guys use to wipe down guns that wont be touched for a year or so?

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Breakfree

 

[mdThanatos]

Hornady One Shot. Works good for lubrication and protection.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Eezoxx

 

[armedwalleye]

Rem oil in a spray can for a quick lube.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Mobil 1

 

[Buzznrose]

Ballistol for me, but long term rust protection, this stuff is what gunsmiths use:

https://www.brownells.com/gun-clean...revention/rust-preventive-no-2--prod1124.aspx

 

[Eddietruett]

I've been a Ballistol and Rem Oil User for years. Just recently got some Lucas Gun Oil on advise of a gunsmith. So far I really like it. It does have the best needle applicator I've found. It really works and doesn't leak

 

[25-20 WCF]

Sperm whale oil.

 

[frankmako]

good old mobil 1

 

[LiveLife]

surface rust ... What do you guys use to wipe down guns that wont be touched for a year or so?

I used to use Hoppes #9 solvent and BreakFree CLP along with motor oil for all my guns' cleaning and lubrication needs.

But after moving to our coastal retirement spot, even stainless steel gun parts started rusting.

Based on this salt water testing results, I now use Hoppes #9 solvent to clean, wipe dry and coat with WD-40 Specialist Spray & Stay Gel Lubricant (Prevents rust for 1 year in salt spray)- https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/rust.861542/#post-11347402

If you are not in salt spray environment, then WD-40 Specialist Long-term Corrosion Inhibitor (Prevents rust for 2 years)

 

[whughett]

Ballistol.

 

[JeffG]

Well after hunting in snow and rain for over a week and absolutely no time for anything I forgot to clean them. I have some light surface rust on them and usually grab a rough rag and wd40 or some light steel wool, but I read somewhere that WD40 isn't good for firearms. What do you guys use to wipe down guns that wont be touched for a year or so?

Depending on the gun, and the conditions it will be used. Out in the weather, rain, snow, CLP is the go-to for me; use the aerosol on a cloth and wipe it on. For slides, bolts and trigger groups, a judicious application of Lucas gun oil is good. Hornady one shot is good for cleaning where you want to leave minimal residue, magazines, mag wells, barrels, feed ramps, and springs.

 

[F1]

Mobil 1

Same here.

 

[TheBigFundamental]

Sperm whale oil.

I was about to agree with this and then I finished reading your post and now I think I might be using the wrong stuff...

 

[Deus Machina]

WD40 isn't bad for guns, just for lubrication. It's made to get things moving, not to keep them moving.
And it's not great--not bad, but not great--at preventing rust, assuming you don't mind it feeling sticky after a long rest. Just don't leave it on the inside.

By all means, go ahead and use it to clean up. It's my go-to for polishing rust off. Then wipe it off and use one of the other suggestions.

I use Renaissance Wax, but mostly because I've already got it. Plenty of good waxes or greases for storage, and your basic Hoppes oil, Rem Oil, or even 10w30 will be good for a while.

 

[Old Dog]

There's so many products that work, I haven't been able to fix on just one in the last 50 years. I still like Hoppe's #9, M-Pro7 and a couple others for cleaning.

But I use exclusively use BreakFree CLP, RemOil, Lucas Extreme Oil & Grease, Slip 2000, and TW-25 for lubricants.

I just don't think you can go wrong with most of the products on the market. Although I don't like Ballistol (organic, and loved by many) simply because of its bad smell. FrogLube, though, has been shown to be basically vegetable oil, so, not a fan.

 

[DoubleMag]

Birchwood Casey Barricade spray

Spray the outside with a VERY light coat. Spray a lil onto a patch and swab the bore. Over, done.

 

[sturmgewehr70]

Ballistol.

 

[Spats McGee]

....What do you guys use to wipe down guns that wont be touched for a year or so?

"Guns that won't be touched for a year or so?" What are those?

In all seriousness, I used RemOil for years, but have been using Weapon Shield for a few years. RemOil was al Wal-Mart had when and where I grew up, and I decided to try out new products a few years ago. I've been pretty happy with Weapon Shield

 

[edwardware]

. . . I read somewhere that WD40 isn't good for firearms.

WD40 actually works very well. . . for displacing water (WD). It's tendency to varnish with age won't harm anything on the outside of a gun.

It's not a lubricant, but it is a preservative and it sounds like that's what you're looking for.

 

[Spats McGee]

"Guns that won't be touched for a year or so?" What are those?

In all seriousness, I used RemOil for years, but have been using Weapon Shield for a few years. RemOil was al Wal-Mart had when and where I grew up, and I decided to try out new products a few years ago. I've been pretty happy with Weapon Shield

Let me add: I don't know if this will change your analysis, OP, but everything I own (with 2 exceptions) is parkerized. Even the two exceptions are 'shooter grade' guns. I don't own any collector's items. FWIW.

 

[Labguy47]

Gun Butter or CLP

 

[rust collector]

WD-40 to remove moisture from exterior, Breakfree CLP on rag for post-use exterior wipe, Hoppe's #9 for bore maintenance, and RIG for long term storage. The Lucas extreme duty lube is used on moving parts, with synthetic grease for shotgun pivots. There are many other good options, but these have worked well for me over many years.

 

[drband]

Almost any oil works. Really.