One of the videos that I enjoyed most on cleaning a 1911 is by Larry Potterfield of MidwayUSA but one part has me a little confused. In it he liberally uses a red lube for the slides, etc. This seems contrary to some manufacturer's recommendations, specifically S&W on the Model 41, to use only a small amount of light oil for the slides. Is the Model 41 that different than the 1911 in that respect or should a heavier lube be used?
1911 Cleaning & Lubrication Confusion?
- Thread starter Beeser
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Larry may have been using "Shooter's Choice" lubricant, it's red in color and many shooters prefer using it:
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LimaCharlie
US Veteran
Oil anything that rotates and lightly grease anything that slides.
GtownGeorge
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Always heard that 1911's like to run wet. My 1911 shows way more oil than my M&P 9.
JJEH
Member
I use only oil, no grease.
AveragEd
Member
My first "good" 1911 was a Kimber Stainless Gold Match and Kimber recommends Shooters' Choice FP-10 oil so that's what I used and continue to use on all my guns, primarily because I bought a large bottle of it.
Ed
Ed
Interesting mnemonic and one that will probably stick in my head for a while. I also like the idea in Potterfield's video of using the soft brush to apply a thin coat of oil on some parts.
oldRoger
US Veteran
I use Slide Glide Light on all sliding parts of firearms. It is grease, I do not have a problem with my Model 41s or even really tight 1911s.
My only caution would involve the ambient & operating temperatures, below zero probably requires a synthetic lube.
That sliding friction needs grease, is a common caution in engineering circles.
The lubricant should fit the clearances, speed, temperatures, and pressures of the motion.
To quote Bruce Grey about pistols; “Get some damn grease”.
My only caution would involve the ambient & operating temperatures, below zero probably requires a synthetic lube.
That sliding friction needs grease, is a common caution in engineering circles.
The lubricant should fit the clearances, speed, temperatures, and pressures of the motion.
To quote Bruce Grey about pistols; “Get some damn grease”.
ma deuce
Member
I use Mobil 1 synthetic and bearing grease on my AR, but on my 1911s I use Slip 2000 AWL most places and Slip 2000 grease on the rails.
Shooting Padre
US Veteran
Larry Potterfield. Gees, I don't know how anyone can smile that big and talk at the same time. I like his videos, I wish they were a little more in length and detail.
I haven't verified this yet but someone told me that some of Potterfield's videos have the longer version on the Midway website.
I can certainly understand that the red lube might work well for a Model 41.
Initially, based on the specific recommendations from the Customer Service rep for a 1911 manufacturer I also initially used it for my 1911s. Then one day at the range during slow fire with a Mil Spec 1911 stainless steel model the slide froze against the frame during the ejection phase. I had to return it to the manufacturer (they covered all of the costs) for repairs. The manufacturer's CS rep later informed me that it was a known possibility associated with the dissimilar metal in the slide and frame. I believe that they use an alloy and not 100% stainless.
The old rule-of-thumb for lubrication that you may read here in the forum may not always work best or 100% reliably with the new materials that are being used in currently produced firearms.
I now use lithium grease with all of my 1911s (Colt, SA, S&W, LB, etc) and have never had a problem at the range.
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