Graphite Powder

[lkabug]

An old time gunsmith friend recommend using a dry graphite powder inside a revolver and dry firing to smooth out the action. He cautions to flush it out well and lubricate as normal afterwards. He says it will really smooth things out.
Anyone ever do or hear of this method?

 

[ontargetagain]

I have used graphite powder yes. It finds it way to permeate the metal and really slick things up.
I would dry fire the gun first without the powder then add the graphite powder after the parts have worn in. The graphite powder may slow the wear in of the parts but initially make things slicker.

Karl

 

[chief38]

I still have a few tubes of graphite but rarely use it anymore. I found that it sometimes collects in one spot and gunks/jams things up! I used it inside a front door lock once and wound up having to completely disassemble and clean it to get it working again. After that episode, I make sure never to use it in a place that I can not get to without disassembly.

Personally I would not use it inside a Revolver for fear that it could jam it up. While graphite may indeed be slippery, unlike oils it never evaporates and can collect in places you don't want it to.

 

[zonker5]

Use about half or less of what you think you need. Too much and it gums and clumps up.

 

[Big Cholla]

While living and hunting Alaska, I was taught (by a Alaskan gunsmith) to lube my rifles and handguns with graphite powder for use during really cold winter days. It was effective but a mess until I found that the 'white graphite' worked just as well as the black version. Good advice to use half of what you think you need. ............

 

[Bakebfr480]

Gunslick too!

 

[FifthWheel]

I've used it with very good results. I wouldn't use it on any firearm that has an aluminum frame or parts though. Graphite can cause a reaction with aluminum or dissimilar metals called galvanic corrosion.