Another Lubrication Thread

Narragansett said:
I know that this topic has been thrown around forever and the choices and recommendations are so extensive it makes my hair hurt.
So I made a decision on how to deal with this. I did some research on Wilson Combat, and came up with this resolution. They sell lube, and they address lubrication on their website. I wrote them a note asking if they have one lube recommended for all semi's.

They seem to address 9mm and being different requirements from 45 acp.

When I get their answer, I will buy their products and use accordingly. They should know

Case closed
Click to expand...

It seems that selling lubes, cleaners and preservatives has become quite profitable and everyone wants to get on the bandwagon to get their fair share of the profits. At one time or another I think every gun company has marketed gun chemicals with their name on the label but manufactured by chemical company's. They never seen to last very long either as most people are not willing to continually get ripped off. Think of it...... some of the chemicals sell for $3 an ounce = $384 / gallon!!! :eek:

The way I see it is that lubes serve to reduce friction, preservatives keep the moisture out of the metal's pores to prevent rust and the cleaners allows debris, gunk and powder residue to be more easily removed. IMHO caliber has little or nothing to do with it, maybe with the exception of a gun that routinely fires tracer rounds, armor piercing rounds or specialty rounds that might generate more heat, harmful residue, etc. When a CLP is designed it is supposed to do all three however probably not nearly as well as a dedicated solvent, a dedicated preservative or dedicated lubricant used separately. That said, a well designed CLP will do a pretty good job as long as a firearm is cleaned and treated after each range use. If neglected, a dedicated and more specific product will probably be needed.

IMHO Wilson Combat makes excellent firearms and that is what they should stick to IMHO. They are only getting into the chemical game to add extra profit to their bottom line. I do not believe their guns are any different than most other when it comes to cleaning, lubrication and preservation. The debate over to use grease or oil in a certain place started many years ago and will continue forever. With few exceptions I usually use oil, however some military firearms do better with grease in certain areas only. To me this sounds like when Ford told everyone that the use of non Ford brand motor oil would void their warranty - which we know is not true and Congress actually passed an act to enforce that - the Magnuson - Moss act I believe. BTW, Ford motor oil (as well as any other automotive branded product) gets made by the company that wins the bid - not necessarily the best and can and does change from year to year. Who makes Ford oil today may not make it next week!

I also believe you individual situations and climate plays a role in what lubricants are used. How and where you carry your gun also plays a role in what you should use. A person living in the Tropics will need a heavier lube than someone living in the Arctic Circle. A person that routinely shoots lead bullets that are reloaded will need a cleaner than is better at dissolving lead residue. If one wants the best solvent cleaner, look no further than Hoppes 9. The best preservative IMHO is Rig Universal Grease. The best lubrication is probably something containing Teflon however that has been discontinued due to the fact that it has been known to cause cancer. IMHO the top 3 CLP's are G96 Synthetic, BreakFree CLP and Ballistol. I can't get into Ballistol simply because of the disagreeable odor (to me) - but that's another thread! If a grease is what you want then Lubriplate 130A is about the best I know of. If used in a cold climate I'd use the 130AA which is a little thinner.

Other than that - there is not much else to say. Personally I refrain from using home made brews, automotive products, etc. as they may contain chemicals that do not play nice with the human body, plastics, rubber, metal, finishes and at the end of the day are not designed specifically for firearms. I am not a chemist and truly do not know what they put into their products but I do believe motor oil for cars in not the same as it is for guns. As far as brands are concerned, almost any product around for decades means that it is usually an effective one. Chemicals vastly unsafe and that don'r really work well go by the wayside quickly.

Sorry for the long winded answer but I felt I needed to be thorough here. If you keep up with your firearm maintenance, any CLP around for a long time should work great - regardless of caliber, IMO.
 
Oh - just wanted to mention why my main CLP changed from Break Free to G96 Synthetic (in the yellow and red bottle). I find the lubrication and preservative properties of both products to be indistinguishable, however I find the G96 Synthetic has a noticeable edge on cleaning. They are both about the same price and I usually buy the G96 directly from the manufacturer in liter sized bottles - about 1/3 the price of the small 8 oz bottles available in stores. I refill the smaller bottles for convenience from the liter bottle. Works for me. I still use BreakFree too as I still have at least a liter left.
 
tops said:
My grandpa used 3n1. Larry
Click to expand...

3 in 1 is good for squeaky door hinges:). Actually, for my triggers I used to use Singer sewing machine oil. Very light.

Well, I don't know, I guess this issue will never be resolved to the satisfaction of most. As for Wilson products, I am going to try them. It is good business to add products to your inventory of sales that accrete to your bottom line.

Years ago I tried break free as a lube, and as I recall I didn't think I liked it. It is probably on a shelf in the cellar somewhere. I do think that the future is in synthetics Keeping in mind that fossil oils were all that we had at one time until the chemical and oil companies began the search for a better mousetrap.

Saying that Wilson should stick to making guns is like saying that General Electric should forget making the M1A tank transmissions and stick with toasters. :)

Time for me to say Uncle on this issue

Go Buffalo!!!
 
I look forward to Wilson Combat’s reply though I don’t have one of their guns. As to great lubricant with Teflon, Tri- Flow is my go to oil.
I tried to include a photo, but Couldn’t figure out how to.
 
StillStanding said:
I look forward to Wilson Combat’s reply though I don’t have one of their guns. As to great lubricant with Teflon, Tri- Flow is my go to oil.
I tried to include a photo, but Couldn’t figure out how to.
Click to expand...

I know and agree that Teflon is one of the best anti-friction chemicals know to man - no argument there! That said, pretty much every gun product on the market either already has or is in the process of phasing it out due to the fact that it is a known carcinogenic. In fact, Dupont has been paying out to lawsuits to the tune of over $4 Billion so far and counting! BTW, Dupont KNEW that it caused cancer 40 years ago but they continued making the product because of the HUGE profit they were raking in! I'd truly suggest finding another product to use on your guns that does not contain Teflon. I'm sure it works great - I know I have used it in the past, but there are products way safer!
 
Rendered coon’s or opossum’s fat has worked for me and my relatives for over 200 years. It’s all I use to lube my guns.
 
About 3 years ago the YouTuber did a comparison study on gun oil and cleaners.

Google: At the YouTube search: Project Farm gun oils

Does ANY of the suppliers of "gun lubes and cleaners" provide ANY kind of test data on their products?
 
Can't wait for Wilsons reply. Then hit the safety data sheets and
see if it's anything materially different from mineral oil for the
rolling things and petroleum jelly for the sliding things.
 
tops said:
My grandpa used 3n1. Larry
Click to expand...
You probably won’t find anything better for general gun use. 3 in 1 simply means CLP. Light oils like 3 in 1 also work very well as bore cleaners. A small can of 3 in 1 or similar is really all you need for any gun.
 
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