Hello everyone. I am reading and learning about handgun before I buy my first gun. I have a thread about that on the forum. I see that there are a lot of gun oils and cleaning supplies on the market and all promise to be the best. I am a basic person and try to look through all the hype, buzz words, and marketing. What I want to know is would 3 in one oil work and do what a gun needs to be done? The manufactures website says you can use it on firearms, plus it is cheap and has the little dropper to get it where it is needed rather than a pressurized spray can. What are your thoughts and ideas for using 3 in one on a semi auto handgun?

It would depend on just how much you shoot. I know it would work if you just shot a couple of rounds or cylinder loads full, but would come up short with heavy use.

The gun specific formulas, and most of the synthetic motor oils, will lubricate at both high and low temps. 3-in-1 fails at temperature extremes. Gun specific oil stay in place better, and probably simply lubricate better.

That being said, I used 3-in-1 for many years before switching to gun specific oils without problems. Just buy any gun specific oil and be done with it.

Thanks for the help. I am reading that some people use motor oil as a gun lube, whats up with that?

It would work great.

I was told at Glock Armorers schooll that "other people's", meaning any free oil was the best.

Emory

on the outer parts of your gun..wax it...with renaissance wax...its what many museums use on fine firearms...think about it...you dont wipe the exterior of your car down with an oily rag...you wax it!
as to the innards any good clp cleaner/lube...i haven't used motor oil but it makes sense...high temps,protects metal etc.no need to overthink it...just purchase a quality cleaner/lube designed for guns...and renaissance wax

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3 in One is OK to use on gun metal. Oil is a good preservative to prevent rust, but it's not always the best lubricant. I tend to agree with the old adage, "If it rotates oil it, if it slides grease it".

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Just another example of my first post.
It doesn't really matter what oil you use.

Emory

In the early 1900's, S&W inserted small flyers for 3-in-1 into the boxes of their guns for awhile. I believe they even included a tiny bottle with a cork stopper for a few years.

So, 3-in-1 will work, but I believe there are better oils.
Look at CorrosionX.com.

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Lee Jarrett

I have used it for years, If you are not dealing with extremes ie. cold or heat ,it works fine. One caution is in order however, 'Don't over due it'. As with most oils of petroleum base it can varnish or gum up over time if using excess amounts. Go lightly.

3 in 1 is a very light oil great for sewing machines and will work with firearms. Best to use a heavey oil as others recommend. But remender any oil is better then no oil!

Thanks for the help and advice. This is just part of my learning curve and I would rather learn from those who know rather than by trial and error. I have never heard the statement before but it makes sense to say if it rotates oil it and if it slides grease it.

I have used more 3 in One oil than all others combined.

The only concern with 3 in 1 is weather tempereature. If the gun is used outside in extremely cold weather, it could thicken to the point of rendering your gun useless, especially effecting the firing pin.

were the only oil available, I would use it without any quams. I used it on firearms in the 40s, as you could get it just about anywhere.

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ahhh so 3 in one oil is the "old school" gun oil so to speak? Interesting. So from what I am seeing, it is not junk or anything but rather there are better options these days and a gun specific oil/grease is the way to go. Thanks for the help.

I've had a gunsmith tell me, "Never oil a trigger."

A lot of people, and I'm one, use Mobil 1 5W-30 on 1911s and other semi-autos, ARs, AKs, and what have you. Functions well at all temps, and one quart will last you a loooooooong time. I use Break-Free CLP, too, but for frame rails and other high-friction areas, Mobil 1 or any other good synthetic can't be beat.

Specifically, they're using a synthetic motor oil, usually Mobil One, NOT standard motor oils.

3-in-1 oil is a so-so lubricant, but as above a little thin for gun use, especially in an auto where thinner lubricants tend to run off or get wicked out of slide rails.
It's not unusual to see brown holsters that have carried autos with the bottom of the holster soaked with the oil that's run out or been wicked out of the slide rails and barrel bushing area.

Many auto carriers use a good grease on the slide rails and barrel because it won't migrate or dry out. This too doesn't need to be complicated. A tube of Lithium grease from the hardware store or any Walmart will work great.

Just remember, there are no "magic" gun lubricants. None of them really stand above any of the others, but there's a lot of snake oil being sold at high prices with outrageous claims.
Best advice is to buy a gun type lubricant from a gun shop. Try a few and use whatever seems the best to you.

If you ask 30 people what oil is the best, you might get 30 different answers.

The truth is if you stick to any of the more modern name brand oils out there it will l more than likely work just fine. Personally I use Rig #2 Gun Oil and over the last 30+ years have been VERY happy with it. From time to time when working on friends guns at their homes I will use what ever they have around and it usually works just fine.

There are times and under certain circumstances that a thinner, dryer, thicker or wetter oil will be optimal, but if 3 in 1 is what you have and you store your guns in a reasonably controlled environment, it will more than likely be fine. If you were going out on a hunt in wet weather I would probably suggest a better rust preventative oil. If you were setting out to an extremely cold or dusty climate I would say to use an oil that is considered "dry" after application. So on and so forth.............

Chief38

'3 in 1' was the oil of choice when there were few to choose from. Manufacturers such as Parker even recommended it as the best available to protect and lubricate their fine firearms.
Most of the small cans of 'gun oil' sold with the makers name on it back in the day (like Ithaca and others) was nothing more than 3'n1 drawn from 55gal drums repackaged into the manufacturers tiny containers.
Times change, better lubes are available for every day use as well as special purposes and demands.
If nothing else is at hand, 3 'n 1 works OK though.

I use Militec-1 with good results. Anybody out there ever used this product?

3-in-1 oil has a vegetable base, or something unsaturated. It will oxidize in a relatively short time to a sticky gum. That happens even faster with heat (as in an electric motor). Use a good quality petroleum based lubricant, or a synthetic.

WD40 doesn't seem to oxidize, but it doesn't have enough film strength to provide lubrication or protection. I don't use it on guns, but it penetrates well for breaking screws loose - too well to use anywhere near optics.

I use milspec W25 grease on rails, with a layer of CQC floated on top. That's more slippery than raw oysters and lasts a long time. It doesn't stiffen in cold weather like petroleum based grease.

I recall clearly where a Gun Magazine did a pretty good controlled test some years ago to see what oil protected bare steel best to moisture.

Oddly Hoppe's #9 came out on top. And we don't even think of it for this purpose.

I don't remember what all they tested but I do think CLP was in there.

Emory

I use Weapon Shield oil and grease.

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From the 3 in 1 MSDS

Ingredient CAS Weight Percent
Severely Hydrotreated Heavy Naphthenic Oil 64742-52-5 >97
Naphtha, petroleum 64742-47-8 <2
Non-Hazardous Ingredients Mixture <3