Best gun lubricant
- Thread starter oldman45
- Start date
Marksman
Member
Back in the day, trapshooters liked to spray their guns down with WD-40. I worked in the gunrepair shop at Browning Arms Co. at that time and I cannot tell you how many BT-99's came in with the action totally gummed up. The formulation of WD-40 at the time would change to a gooey varnish over time. I understand that the formulation has been changed since that time. I use Butch's Bore Shine Gun Oil on my guns.
labworm
US Veteran
LSA-MIL-L-46000B Lubricating Oil Semi-Fluid
"A little dab will do ya"
I blame it all on the US Army.
"A little dab will do ya"
I blame it all on the US Army.
Last edited:
NCTexan
US Veteran
I like Gun Butter on my slides and rails. A little goes a long way and it stays in place quite well. The pink color is helpful when applying to see exactly how much you have and where it is.
Their grease is also great.
Neither are too expensive and they sure go a long way.
Their grease is also great.
Neither are too expensive and they sure go a long way.
HAWKEYE10
Member
All the lubes posted here works good but you have to use them. I think that is the secret. My oil receipt was given to me by the gunsmiths at the Tennessee National Guard and I have used it for years. Don3 quarts of automatic transmission fluid
1 can of STP
1 quart of motor oil
You can hand this down to your grand kids. There will still be some left.
Edmo
US Veteran
Gun lubricant?
Mobil1 "V-Twin" synthetic 20W50.
I've always got several quarts in the garage sitting next to the Harley. In a needle oil bottle it goes where I want it and stays put. Slick as owl snot.
Edmo
Mobil1 "V-Twin" synthetic 20W50.
I've always got several quarts in the garage sitting next to the Harley. In a needle oil bottle it goes where I want it and stays put. Slick as owl snot.
Edmo
doublesharp
Member
This is what I've currently got at arm's length.
M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
The Hoppe's silicon based oil/lubricant is very good, and what I use often. Many don't understand that Hoppe's makes a protectant/lubricant and probably thought you were referencing their excellent, time-proven solvent; they make a great pair, the solvent and the oil. Each one has it's purpose.
Any silicon based oil product is a great lubricant protectant, at least ones designed for firearms that is.
If you want to simplify your life, Break-free/CLP is a good general purpose do-all (thus the title, "cleaner-lubricant-protectant). It's no accident that the military adopted it decades ago.
Only a few that have been mentioned here would I caution against. 3-in-1 oil has virtually no protectant and while a great lube, not so good for protecting against finger prints, salt, etc. WD40 is one to stay away from; not only does it not protect the finish, when it comes to mechanisms it will eventually break down and turn to gum. It's not really a great lubricant either, especially for high heat. Neither of those were designed with firearms in mind, nor were transmission fluids or engine oils. Some people like to wax their firearms for instance, which is fine, but car waxes are not the kind of wax you should use since they are designed for paint, and actually contain some elements which can damage blueing.
As far a the Tennessee National Guard concoction, I really couldn't say, but when you combine liquids, you never know what reaction you might get. I think it might be safer to just stick with your Hoppe's which has decades of reliable use behind it. I've seen even regular army guys use solvents and oils not designed for use with weapons, and in the worst case scenario, believe it or not, improper stuff can cause fire or explosions. Normally, it just eats up finishes and stops mechanisms from working, neither a very good end state. I often witnessed the results of bad cleaning/protecting practices
If you see the words "gun" (or firearm/weapon) and "silicon" on a label, you are pretty safe. Magic concoctions and quick remedy, home grown solutions often end badly, either now or later.
Any silicon based oil product is a great lubricant protectant, at least ones designed for firearms that is.
If you want to simplify your life, Break-free/CLP is a good general purpose do-all (thus the title, "cleaner-lubricant-protectant). It's no accident that the military adopted it decades ago.
Only a few that have been mentioned here would I caution against. 3-in-1 oil has virtually no protectant and while a great lube, not so good for protecting against finger prints, salt, etc. WD40 is one to stay away from; not only does it not protect the finish, when it comes to mechanisms it will eventually break down and turn to gum. It's not really a great lubricant either, especially for high heat. Neither of those were designed with firearms in mind, nor were transmission fluids or engine oils. Some people like to wax their firearms for instance, which is fine, but car waxes are not the kind of wax you should use since they are designed for paint, and actually contain some elements which can damage blueing.
As far a the Tennessee National Guard concoction, I really couldn't say, but when you combine liquids, you never know what reaction you might get. I think it might be safer to just stick with your Hoppe's which has decades of reliable use behind it. I've seen even regular army guys use solvents and oils not designed for use with weapons, and in the worst case scenario, believe it or not, improper stuff can cause fire or explosions. Normally, it just eats up finishes and stops mechanisms from working, neither a very good end state. I often witnessed the results of bad cleaning/protecting practices
If you see the words "gun" (or firearm/weapon) and "silicon" on a label, you are pretty safe. Magic concoctions and quick remedy, home grown solutions often end badly, either now or later.
I've been using either a local brand called Wally's or Birchwood Casey synthetic. Wally sells his bore cleaner and oil at the local gun shows.
After seeing the posts with Mobil 1, that will be my next try. I paid for 4.5 oz. of Birchwood Casey what I probably could have got a Qt. of Mobil 1. Still learning after all these years.
After seeing the posts with Mobil 1, that will be my next try. I paid for 4.5 oz. of Birchwood Casey what I probably could have got a Qt. of Mobil 1. Still learning after all these years.
bwickens
Member
I use Breakfree on internals and Rem Oil as an exterior wipe.
StatesRightist
Member
I use the Wilson Combat Ultima lines, I refused to try them because it $10 for 2oz until I got a free sample, now I'm hooked. 4 Drops does a .45 and it lasts for months. They make oil and grease. Long lasting and not one of those deals where you have use so much it makes clean up difficult.
Can there be anything else but genuine S&W oil:
ol' geeser
Member
LSA-MIL-L-46000B Lubricating Oil Semi-Fluid
"A little dab will do ya"
I blame it all on the US Army.
Between this stuff and #2 pencil graphite for moving parts along with a quality wax for the exterior surfaces...no problems in close to 50 years of fooling around with guns and reels......
I store my Smiths in a barrel of lard. I keep the Colts in a bucket of beef tallow. The only drawback is when I go to the range, people keep trying to lick my guns.
oldman, I almost forgot to add, as I am a big fan of Lucas Oil products, they also have a new LUCAS GUN OIL, out. I actually bought mine at the local NAPA store, yes the auto parts. I am looking foward to trying it in the near future. Part # is 10006 comes in a 2 oz. with a Trophy Whitetail on the bottle , cant miss it!!!
1sg
Member
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I found only one reference to Breakfree in the above posts. I'm surprised because personally I believe Breakfree is the best all purpose cleaner / lube / protectant currently available. My opinions are not based upon commercials or advertisements, but rather from personal experiences using it in some of the most adverse weather environments in the world. Regardless of freezing conditions in Korea, the steaming tropics of Thailand or the deserts of the middle east Breakfree always delivered. For me its the only choice for my personally owned firearms. JMHO...
ma deuce
Member
Hoppes No. 9 for solvent, Mobil 1 Synthetic for general lube and protection, white lithium brake caliper grease for rails.
M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
You're dead on 1SG, I've similar experiences of my own with it and concur 100%. My old grandad who served 36 years had introduced me to Hoppe's when I was a child as apparently it was in use by the Army in his day (WWI, WWII) and he swore by it. I still use it. But by the time I came in the Army, CLP, or Breakfree was the stuff of the day, and still is. The Army eased away from LSA because soldiers were not wiping it off after firing; it has no protectant and is designed to be used only during firing. When CLP/Breakfree came along, it quickly proved to be the perfect solution for the soldier's use and maintenance of weapons. For civilian modern weapons, it's a great choice if you are not sure about finishes being damaged, and is a great protectant. I still love Hoppe's, but Breakfree is a proven winner, at home, and on the battlefield. It works very well on machine guns as you well know, and everything in between.
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