Aluminum Frame / Steel Slide
- Thread starter Randy38
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No but it does require lubrication.
You will not have galling issues, but if you run the pistol without oil or light grease on the rails, the steel slide will quickly wear into the aluminum. I like to use a very thin smear of white lithium grease on the slide rails of all of my pistols, regardless of whatever metal in the slide and receiver.
I don't care for light oils so much for this application. Something like LSA seems good to me. If you'd prefer grease, a molybdenum disulfide grease that is not so sticky and actually works its way into the molecular structure of the metal might be your best bet. Birchwood Casey sells a spray on moly lube and you can buy it in paste form with varying degrees of tackiness, depending on the product and supplier.
The moly grease in sticks for automotive/agricultural/construction equipment is probably too tacky for a pistol. I'd be looking for a moly grease paste that is a little less tacky than toothpaste. I used to use a such a product all the time when I was working, but of course now I can't recall the brand and product names. It's not cheap, but few ounces of the stuff will last a gun hobbyist forever.
The moly grease in sticks for automotive/agricultural/construction equipment is probably too tacky for a pistol. I'd be looking for a moly grease paste that is a little less tacky than toothpaste. I used to use a such a product all the time when I was working, but of course now I can't recall the brand and product names. It's not cheap, but few ounces of the stuff will last a gun hobbyist forever.
Are there any manufacturers who recommend using grease or anti-seize paste on the rails of their steel slide/aluminum receiver guns? They only recommend oil, AFAIK.
Something like Tetra gun grease sounds like a good compromise for your not "too tacky" use.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
What does it say in the Manual?
Glenn R. McMannly
Member
Steel slide on aluminum rails are asking for premature wear.
I'd grease it with something like RIG or M1 synthetic. I MUCH prefer steel on steel.
I'd grease it with something like RIG or M1 synthetic. I MUCH prefer steel on steel.
While I like synthetic oils better, TW-25b grease is good when you apply it correctly (to warm CLEAN metal and then wipe off the white "carrier").
I use Mil-comm 2500 oil on mine - seems to work OK (I have a Commander made in 1950, it looks and runs fine).
The above does not mean other lubes are not OK!
Riposte
I use Mil-comm 2500 oil on mine - seems to work OK (I have a Commander made in 1950, it looks and runs fine).
The above does not mean other lubes are not OK!
Riposte
I have used Lubriplate (white lithium) on the slide rails on all my autopistols for many years. Never had any issues with wear or galling.
Many years ago, Skeeter did a test on a Government Model, Combat Commander, and a Commander (alloy frame). The test involved many thousands of hardball factory ammo.
All 3 survived the test. They even cut apart the barrel of the Government model and it was still very usable. The Commander developed a small crack in the frame, but it continued to work just fine. Skeeter stated it had probably seen more rounds than any other such pistol. The slide stop broke on one of the guns and it continued to operate, it just wouldn't lock the slide back.
I now have 2 alloy (Commanders) a Tisas and a Ruger, both in 9mm. I put RIG on the rails after cleaning them. I have gone through a case (1,000) of 9mm this Summer. The frames still appear to be fine.
All 3 survived the test. They even cut apart the barrel of the Government model and it was still very usable. The Commander developed a small crack in the frame, but it continued to work just fine. Skeeter stated it had probably seen more rounds than any other such pistol. The slide stop broke on one of the guns and it continued to operate, it just wouldn't lock the slide back.
I now have 2 alloy (Commanders) a Tisas and a Ruger, both in 9mm. I put RIG on the rails after cleaning them. I have gone through a case (1,000) of 9mm this Summer. The frames still appear to be fine.
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I use a light layer of W25 TFE grease (developed for Vietnam), topped off with a drop of Rem Oil. Steel won't gall aluminum, but aluminum will take the brunt of wear, in the absence of lubrication. Vanadium alloy, used by S&W, is resistant to stress cracking, bringing aluminum up to the level of stainless steel. I have a S&W 1911 Commander, SS slide, Vanadium-Aluminum frame.
Paul slovenia
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I have a custom cz75b 6 inch barrel, for target competition. It is steel on steel but it come with recommended white grease to lubricate the slide. I found that it make an almighty mess and a nightmare to clean. I was recommended to use PTFE lubricants and you can really feel the difference.
Like M29since14, I'm a fan of molybdenum disulfide grease too.
This is what I use.
This is what I use.
SuperMan
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Have tens of thousands of rounds through Colt Commanders using Shooters Choice grease with zero issues. I use grease on all slide rails as it doesn't dry out nor migrate when constantly carried in a holster like oil will...
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Just used Mobil 1 on both the P01 Omega pistols I have. No wear issues so far. But I do over oil (according to some people) and I field strip/clean mine more than many people do.
I find it funny that no one seems to remember the ground breaking Model 39 and those later generations of the 39 and 59. Most were alloy frames with steel slides, with a few rare exceptions.
We used them starting around 1974 in my department, 39s and 59s, later on 469s, 669s and then third generation models. Never heard of a wear problem, we just used regular gun oil.
We used them starting around 1974 in my department, 39s and 59s, later on 469s, 669s and then third generation models. Never heard of a wear problem, we just used regular gun oil.
LVSteve
Member
Bill Ruger had the steel slide running directly on the polymer frame of the P95 series pistols. Never heard of that being an issue, so alloy with some half decent lube should be fine.
I build and tune 1911s. Since I started using this, I don't use anything else. It doesn't dry out, run off the slide, and stays where put. Plus it's inexpensive at Amazon. 2 8oz tubes for about $18
SuperMan
Member
...my 1992 vintage 6906 is sitting right here. It was my personally owned duty gun for 10 years...well over 7k rounds fired with one failure to cycle what I could feel was a weak round during a qualification...
Always used the Shooters Choice grease on that one also and there is very little wear to the rails...
Bob
My dept started issuing the Mod 39 in 1967 and continued issuing S&W alloy frame/steel slides until 1999. 39, 39-2, 439, 469, 5904, 6904.
One of our main range officers once said the way to tell if you've got enough oil on your S&W was when oil ran out the bottom of your holster and down you pant leg. Maybe a slight exaggeration.
But his point being if the part moves or slides then it needs to be lubed. That use to be pretty much the norm for guns until Glock came out with use only 5 drops.
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