I have a tub of high temp (disc brake) axle grease, and was wondering if anyone uses something similar to lube the slide/frame rails on their pistol. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Well, I am a newbie and I can say no to axle grease!

Grease is used to hold lubricant in place where its likely to run off. It also hold powder residue and other fouling in place.

While it is "safe" it may lead to jamming and other failures attributed to slowed slide speed especially as dirt accumulates from firing the gun. There are some lighter weight greases like Tetra gun grease or Rig gun greas and similar products like Gunslick graphite lube that are firearm specific but automotive greases are much higher viscosity.

An old saying was "oil pistols and grease rifles". This is probably a good guide to lubrication choice.

I frequently use disc caliper grease on my slides and it does a fabulous job. Any lube is still better than no lube. Should work well for you.....

Randy

i use small dabs of white lithium grease on my rails

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WC Armory, Austin TX

Axle grease probably isn't your best choice, smells bad and dissipates with heat.

The disc brake caliper grease mentioned above, on the other hand, is a synthetic which stays in place, is unaffected by heat, and would require very little to maintain a level of lubricity.

This is the same reason many use Mobil 1 to lubricate their guns. Since it is a synthetic, it takes only a small amount and maintains lubrication as the molecules bond to the metal surfaces and is not affected by heat.

As to the original question, it's probably safe, just not your best choice.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

You gotta have some kind of lube in there. grease tends to cake up and attract more crud than you might prefer.
I use a little ballistol smeared on with a q-tip. Some guns need a lot of lube to keep 'em running, but for ordinary shooting with decent ammo, a little good oil when you clean it up will keep that thing running like a spotted ape.

I hear lubriplate food grade synthetic sfl#0 is really good and very good at corrosion resistance I would stay away from the auto stuff Imho.

+1...

I use Mobil1 20W50 V-Twin motorcycle oil dispensed from a needle-tipped bottle.

Edmo

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TRUTH: Don't delete my posts!

Chuck Norris uses spit.

Oops sorry - wrong thread.

Thanks for all the responses! I do have 10w30 Mobile 1, so I may consider that as well.

Many USPSA/IDPA shooters swear by Mobil 1....I use it frequently if I am not using the disc caliper grease.

Randy

If it turns, oil it.

If it slides grease it.

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ASA/NSA 67-71
NRA Benefactor

I use engine assembly lube with moly & graphite. If not that then CorrosionX. Both stay where ya put them.

Howdy,
I use Mobil 1 ATF, but did use copper anti seize for a long time.
The anti seize worked great and made the guns feels so much smoother.
Anti seize, however, is the nastiest stuff you can get on your hands or clothes.
I don't see anything wrong with a good grease in warm weather.
Good luck
Mike

GrantCunningham.com - Library

Good info on lubricants. This guy is a top revolver smith.

Lee Jones(Celtgun)

I use Brownells Action Lube, which is a type of synthetic grease with special additives for lubricity and gun corrosion protection. A tiny dab is plenty, and it stays put in our 106 degree summers.

I'd be concerned that auto axle grease might have the wrong additives for gun use, but why risk it?
Spend $20 for the good stuff and use it for the next 10 years.

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Science plus Art

There is a light grease manufactured locally called STOS, on the order of vasoline but holds in place very well and when applied in a very thin application holds up well on frame slides. I've used the stuff for years on 1911 and other metal to metal frame slides. Its the best frame slide lube I've ever run across, I'm no expert but never have problems with lubrication on any weapon I've ever owned. There really is no place I use it on any revolver, only sliding mechanisms like frame rails.

Just what I want on my slide rails lapping compound and thats pretty much what your getting when you use any kind of grease.Grease holds any kind of debris it picks up from pieces of brass,dirt etc.While oil lets that kind of stuff mostly be flushed out with each cycle of the slide.But in the end use what you want its your pistol.

^this


I for one keep all grease away from pistols. doesn't need it. period....unless you like lapping compound after a few mags.

keep it wet with oil and put down the tubes of grease.

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God Bless Our Troops.

I did this for many, many years.

White lithium grease is much lighter than the grease you are thinking of using, and it's very inexpensive at any auto parts store.

I'm a firm believer in using some light grease on the slide rails of a semiauto pistol, ESPECIALLY if the frame is aluminum, and thus more prone to wear by the steel slide.

I also use it on the frame unlocking lugs, which is a high pressure/wear spot on S&W metal framed semiautos.

I have ALWAYS thoroughly cleaned my pistols after shooting them, and reapplied some light grease to the frame rails and unlocking lugs.

I do this with all of my semiautos, and I've NEVER had a problem with a semiauto getting 'gummed up' from grease and crud.

A thin layer (small amount) of grease is all you need. It won't 'drain off', like many oils can, in storage.

I bought a tube of Super Lube at harbor freight and put it on my 5906. Can't remember how many rounds are in her after lubing but she looks and runs fine. Lube just turned black.

I have been greasing the front ends of my vehicles with a Under water type grease which is Blue in colour. They use it on boat motor props as the water does not dispell it. I wonder just how well that would work on the slides in my rifles?

Axle grease is high temp grease and a excellent product. I would not have any concerns over using on the rails and barrel lugs. Don't cake it on, just a little will go a long ways.

Heck you could probably get away with facial creams. LOL Who wants to try?

I've been using this stuff for years, and I bet the 1oz jar will probably last for decades more:

Pro-Gold 1 oz. jar

I dont trust any grease besides Weapon Shield Gun Grease. Works well doesnt cake or drys hard. Call this number and ask for a sample of Weapon Shield oil and weapon shield Gun Grease, they will send you an awesome oiler pen with a little jar of gun grease for FREE for you to try!!!!! you dont even pay for shipping!!

800-390-1535

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Aim small miss small

I use TW25B synthetic gun grease. it's good from -30 to 450 degrees.
It gives superior protection.
It is a white grease and works very good.

I agree with the following.

If it turns, oil it.

If it slides grease it.

For 1911's and guns with full contact between sldie and frame I prefer a heavy il as they run better when wet. For polymer framed psitols a very tine bit of grease on the frame rails is all that I use - a tub of greasee will last you until at least into the 31st Century.

Good article, thanks.

I have always used MoS2 (Molybdenum Disulfide) or "Moly Grease" delivered through a small hypodermic needle.
Then add a drop or two of "Tri-Flow" teflon lubricant.
Pistol Grease :: Handgun Oil :: Tri-Flow®
Time and thousands of hot loaded rounds has proven to me that it reflects exactly what that article describes.
Regards,
BM1

I say run it and see how it works.

Axle grease stinks to high hell IMO, but I just paid some $$$ for some grease that smells just like axle grease and it is "High End" gun grease.

Go look at Brian Enos Gun glide. He has 3 "thickness" levels depending on your temp and gun. (smells like axle grease)

Grease is one of the New Things in gun lube. I use it and love it.

Your grease may be too thick, hat would be the issue.

Temp is not a concern unless you are on of the guys who is actually a competitor in DOOM! Axles get hotter than any gun I ever had.

Same thing with trapping dirt and what not. A lot of powder residue lubricates, or so I'm told. Doesn't hurt to clean your gun every so often...

Grease is grease, it either works or it don't. If it works go for it. You aint gonna hurt nothin. Worse thing that happens is you get some malfunctions cause the grease is too thick. If you are using for self defense in a cold environment, could get sticky!

Excuse the pun!

I'd recommend TetraGun grease.I've had good service with it on 1911's and several other steel and aluminum frame autos. It's a white grease that goes on clear,and has no smell.
A light coat is all that's necessary. Stick with a good oil in cold weather as a lube agent.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

I used (a little) PJ-1 chain lube on the rails of my Beretta when I used to run hot +P loads through it. Slowed down the cycle time, but not so much that it created feed/eject failures. I would say as long as you have no reliability issues, it shouldn't hurt.

Some kind of lube is better than no lube, but you can do better than axle grease. Will it work in a pinch? Absolutely.

I choose to use a high-quality oil on my pistols due to the accumulation of debris in any grease I have used in the past.
I save the grease for my O/U & S/S shotgun hinges.

I'm not EVEN gonna get into this debate about which is better. All I will say is that some lubricants that use silicone and some synthetic additives can penetrate the structure of the steel and/or aluminum so well that refinishing can be affected. There are ways for the refinisher to combat the problem, but if you know that silicone or synthetic additives have been used, it's best to tell the refinisher about it so he doesn't waste time. Ceracoat builds into their refinishing system a method to be used on all guns that will work on most issues of this type as a matter of use on all guns done by a certified Ceracoat refinisher.

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NRA Benefactor

Good to know that, thanx!

I only use rendered reptile fat on mine!

I called them up, they said they don't send samples of the grease but they'll send me a sample of the oil. Wierd if you ask me, maybe I got the guy who doesn't really know what he's doing. Or maybe it cost them too much to ship the grease. It doesn't really matter as they sent me some oiler in an oiler pen for free! I haven't tried it yet but I'm guessing it's going to be some good stuff. You know they have confidence in their product if they are willing to send some free samples out complete with oiler pen.

Hey guys, Im new to the forum but not to guns. I have also wondered on this topic. I have experimented with general purpose lithium grease they sell at walmart for $2. I put it on very lightly and it works well. The problem with grease is it will attract dirt,etc. I did see a video of Jim Fuller from rifle dynamics and I believe he says he exclusively uses lithium grease. On the subject of using motor oil that is a bad idea, due to the fact that motor oil is a penetrating oil, gun oil is not. The age old myth that I have heard is that penetrating oil can get into your primers and cause a dud. I have also heard glock recommending not even getting any type of oil by the firing pin. But to me penetrating oil on the general parts of a gun is just not a good mix. There are some types of powder grease I would like to try. Just my thoughts.

Fat B,
I am sorry that you werent able to get a sample of the gun grease but i am glad you are getting the oiler pen. Please let me know what you think of the weapon shield oil. And you are right they do have confidence in their product for giving out free samples and even covering the shipping charge. When someone reaches out and scratches my back i will reach out and do the same. Weapon Shield has my dollars when it comes to gun oil and gun grease. If you were to google oiler pen from weapon shield you will find it for the value of $9.99 plus H&S. Also YOU CAN REFILL THE OILER PEN

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Aim small miss small

Took about 5 seconds to find out about the "myth":

The Box O' Truth #39 - Oil Vs. Primers - Page 1

Lots of people, including me, use motor oil (Mobil 1 5w-30), especially synthetic oil, on their guns. It doesn't bother the primers any more than any gun oil.