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oldiegoldie

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took my Sport ll to the range and put 1 magazine through it. no malfunctions and it is very accurate at the distances I will use it for [<50 yards]. will wait to make optics decision. this is strictly home defense weapon.

what type of lube should I use and does it operate better with lotsa lube or less lube? appreciate any tips regarding maintenance.
 
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I lightly lube with Rem Oil or Break Free.
Others have preferences beyond this especially with regard to running wet or dry.
Jim
 
Google AR15 lube points.

I prefer Break Free CLP and run my guns wet at the range, but use less lube on hunting rifles that may only have a few shots between cleanings. I find that when the guns are run wet it is easier to wipe the carbon out of the system.
 
You'll find that there are many favorites among the members and most all of them work well...from the basic to the exotic.

Tried and true products like Break Free CLP are reasonably priced and add the benefits of cleaning and protecting to the lubrication provided.

There are products that are or may be better at each individual function but don't overthink it or your head will explode. The M&P15 seems to function just fine with a modicum of care.
 
oldiegoldie said:
what type of lube should I use and does it operate better with lotsa lube or less lube? appreciate any tips regarding maintenance.
Click to expand...

Opinions on lube type and amount of lube can cause heated debates. My best advice is to pick a single method that works for you and stick with it.

My opinion, so take it for what it's worth...

I've used everything from liquid oils of every type of weight to different types of greases, from light coatings to heavy coatings. Cleaning is cleaning. Regardless of the type or amount of lube.

  • Breakfree CLP
  • Mobil 1 Synthetic Motor Oil (5w30 because that's what I have in the garage)

Breakfree CLP is a known quantity. It does the job of both cleaning and lubing. It comes in convenient aerosol cans. Stuff just works. When compared to boutique firearms lubes that are purchased by the ounce, a quart of Mobil 1 Synthetic is dirt cheap and will last a long time.

The direct impingement gas system poops where it eats, and there is no getting around it. Run lightly lubed, and the carbon will cook onto the BCG and foul the upper. Run wet, and the lube can cook. Excess lube slings around the upper and into the lower catching fouling. Either way, you're cleaning.

From 1st hand experience, the only way to overcome a portion of the "poops where it eats" issue is to install a Nickel Boron Bolt Carrier Group. I've tried three different NiBx coated BCG's. The only one that lived up to it's marketing claims is the Fail Zero Exo.

0f093352-3b16-4d54-9e77-4564c278944e_zps476ed8c0.jpg


I ran my AR dry, no lube. Carbon fouling wiped off with a terry cloth rag. No lube to sling around meant I could just wipe out the upper and blow out the lower.
 
Word of warning to the newbies.

When we say run wet, we mean bolt/bolt carrier. When a round is fired from a chamber with excessive lube, you set the conditions for the increased probability of a catastrophic failure. Before going to the range, I will always swab out the chamber of my rifle with a dry patch to remove excess lube.
 
I prefer grease on my AR15s but then again I like grease on most of my guns anywhere there is metal on metal contact. ;)

I like this stuff. It is super cheap and runs great. $4 for a 14oz tube.

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I like CLP to clean and protect but use grease on wear parts.
 
Super Lube makes an excellent, reasonably priced grease as well but not as inexpensive as the Super Tech. (I've used their synthetic lubes and grease for many years.)
 
blues7 said:
Super Lube makes an excellent, reasonably priced grease as well but not as inexpensive as the Super Tech. (I've used their synthetic lubes and grease for many years.)
Click to expand...

Really there are a ton of automotive products that are excellent for use as gun lube. I mean look at companies like Lucas Oil who realized that they could basically sell the same lubricants packaged in smaller tubes labeled gun oil for 3X the price of their other products.
 
At age 6 my grandfather started showing me how to shoot, hunt, firearm safety, and how to clean a firearm. He always used a mixture of kerosene and diesel to clean the bad stuff and 3 IN 1 oil to lube them.
I still use 3 IN 1 every now again, but have my own lube mixture; 5W30 M1-90% with Mercon V-10%.
Just recently someone told me about GRIZZLY GREASE. I cleaned and lubed my AR with it and will see how it works this weekend. It has a very nice minty smell to it. :D
Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP 4 FL OZ. - Grizzly Gun Care
 
Disabled1 said:
At age 6 my grandfather started showing me how to shoot, hunt, firearm safety, and how to clean a firearm. He always used a mixture of kerosene and diesel to clean the bad stuff and 3 IN 1 oil to lube them.
I still use 3 IN 1 every now again, but have my own lube mixture; 5W30 M1-90% with Mercon V-10%.
Just recently someone told me about GRIZZLY GREASE. I cleaned and lubed my AR with it and will see how it works this weekend. It has a very nice minty smell to it. :D
Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP 4 FL OZ. - Grizzly Gun Care
Click to expand...
we always used diesel fuel mixed with a little gasoline to clean parts [for tractor, implements, etc] when I was on the ranch. I have used 3 in 1 oil since childhood but figured there are some better lube products out there now.
 
Breakfree CLP seems to be a product that everyone recommends. Will have to get some. I appreciate the responses and am looking forward to another trip to the range so I will have a good reason to try out the Breakfree CLP. Again, many thanks.
 
Disabled1 said:
At age 6 my grandfather started showing me how to shoot, hunt, firearm safety, and how to clean a firearm.
Click to expand...

How old were you when your grandfather was 6? :p

But to add to the thread; I've used Breakfree CLP for a few years which has worked but dries out and needs a lot of rewetting. I've switched to Slip 2000 EWL on my handguns with good results (in particular--not drying out) and plan to switch my AR soon.
 
For my AR's I use a mixture of Mobil 1 Synthetic 75w-90 gear oil and synthetic ATF. Yes, I said gear oil and just so you know a 75w-90 gear oil is about the same thickness as 10w-30 motor oil. The big difference between the two is that gear oil contains more friction modifiers (ZDDP, the really slick stuff) than any off the shelf motor oil. Probably makes little or no difference but it works well.

I run mine wet. No not dripping wet but just a good coat of lube on all the friction points and done right it doesn't run all over the place and will stay wet for a long, long time. For the barrel I run a patch with RemOil down it and call it a day.
 
Ballistol and Slip2000 have always worked great for me. Lots of good options available.
 
Waywatcher said:
How old were you when your grandfather was 6? :p

But to add to the thread; I've used Breakfree CLP for a few years which has worked but dries out and needs a lot of rewetting. I've switched to Slip 2000 EWL on my handguns with good results (in particular--not drying out) and plan to switch my AR soon.
Click to expand...
Being he was just 6 years old, what I stated in my reply never happened. SMH! :rolleyes:
 
I have used Breakfree CLP, Weapons Shield, Ballistol, and Frog Lube. They all work pretty well.
 
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