Lubricating Revolvers and Pistols

[buff51]

For years I've used various oils for lubricating pistols, with a preference for oil with molybdenum. A while back I bought some Permatex anti-seize lubricant for an application, and yesterday I was working on an old stainless steel pistol where parts were galling against each other. I decided to try the Permatex and it worked great. It occurred to me that it might be suitable for revolvers too. Has anyone tried it? Are there downsides? I was thinking it might be especially useful for lubricating steel parts in an aluminum frame, and also for titanium and steel.

According to its safety data sheet, it consists primarily of potassium soap of vegetable oil, propylene glycol, and fine mica.

 

[mauser9]

Nope just Breakfree CLP, and Rem-Oil. Then again I don't shoot much anyway. So many products out there it gets too confusing.

 

[AJ]

For years I've used various oils for lubricating pistols, with a preference for oil with molybdenum. A while back I bought some Permatex anti-seize lubricant for an application, and yesterday I was working on an old stainless steel pistol where parts were galling against each other. I decided to try the Permatex and it worked great. It occurred to me that it might be suitable for revolvers too. Has anyone tried it? Are there downsides? I was thinking it might be especially useful for lubricating steel parts in an aluminum frame, and also for titanium and steel.

According to its safety data sheet, it consists primarily of potassium soap of vegetable oil, propylene glycol, and fine mica.

I had a Sgt. that worked for me that bought an AMT Hardballer in stainless. He had a problem getting it to run with all the lubes he tried. I was kidding him and told him to try 30 weight motor oil on it. He did and it worked great.

Usually I just use gun oil, on my guns.

 

[Narragansett]

LSA55 surplus government small arms weapons oil. I figure it has been battle tested enough

 

[stansdds]

The early all-stainless semi-auto pistols like the AMT had problems with the slide and receiver rails galling. This was because these early pistols used the same stainless alloy and heat treating process for both slide and receiver. With these pistols, you need a serious lubricant, not just thin gun oil. White lithium grease worked well, but a relatively heavy weight oil should also work.


In the mid-1980's S&W and Colt started making semi auto pistols in stainless, by this time manufacturers figured out the galling issue and either used different heat treatments for slide and receiver or different stainless alloys. The slightly dissimilar surfaces greatly reduced the galling issue.

 

[buff51]

All due respect, guys, this is great information, but it does not answer my basic question: has anyone tried the Permatex Anti-Seize Lubricant on a revolver or pistol?

 

[BE Mike]

I use very little lubricant on revolvers. They tend to cause more problems than they solve. When I do use lubricants, they mostly are the ones intended to be used on guns. I use this when I'm worried about galling: [ame]https://www.amazon.com/Birchwood-Casey-Stainless-Steel-Ounce/dp/B0033CRQDQ[/ame]

 

[Krogen]

All due respect, guys, this is great information, but it does not answer my basic question: has anyone tried the Permatex Anti-Seize Lubricant on a revolver or pistol?

I haven't tried anti-seize as a lubricant, because it's not. I have used it on spark plugs in aluminum heads, though. Different application - nothing is moving. I'll be interested in how it works for you with lots of movement over the long term.

 

[chief38]

I have tried 70% Moly anti-seize a few times although the brand was not Permatex - it was TS Moly. Sort of the same and if anything the TS 70% contains much more of the Moly which IS the lubricant as I understand it.

Initially it was a terrific lubricant. Shortly thereafter it started migrating out of the gun and got on my hands holster, clothing, etc. BTW it stains just about everything it touches! After enough of the stuff getting into and on things I didn't want it on, I thoroughly cleaned off the gun and used Breakfree -CLP instead.

My take is that initially the lubrication qualities are excellent however I doubt it has very good rust preventatives in it as it was not intended for that. I also believe due to the thicker consistency, it would attract unburnt powder residue, dirt, dust etc. and soon act less as a lubricant - anti seize product and more as an abrasive.

I have not used Moly lubricant on guns anytime thereafter. That's as close to the answer to your question as I can personally get - so I hope that helps a little. I'm sticking to Gun Oil on guns and Moly anti-seize on machinery and parts that call for it.

 

[Kp321]

I try not to use any moly containing product on the outside of any gun. It is very messy and will not wash off of skin or clothing easily. Internal is ok.

 

[robertrwalsh]

RIG makes an excellent grease just for all-stainless pistols to reduce galling. I have been using it for years on my few all-stainless semi-autos with great success.

 

[gwpercle]

All due respect, guys, this is great information, but it does not answer my basic question: has anyone tried the Permatex Anti-Seize Lubricant on a revolver or pistol?

I have used it on the rails of my AMT Hardballer ... it is great for galling ... but never on a revolver .
Another place where I've used it to stop galling is on bullet moulds ... the steel sprue plate rubbing across the top of the aluminum mould block will gall enough to damage the mould if not lubricated ...and Permatex works great here.
I apply Permatex to a Q-Tip and rub it onto the mould surfaces or inner and outer rails of the AMT ...you can see where the slide rubs on the frame ...apply thin coat there .
Permatex is a thick paste so it doesn't flow ...a thin layer is rubbed onto a surface and there it sits .
I've never used it in revolvers because lighter oils flow into places and get the job done ...I'm not sure where to use it on a revolver that would be better than a good gunoil .
The stuff has it places but is very thick like a grease .
Gary

 

[hkcavalier]

Boron nitride grease on the yoke pin, hammer pin, trigger pin, and under the bolt.

If it slides or rotates, and you want the lube to stay there, use grease.

Only gun related thing I use anti-seize for is AR barrels where they meet the upper.

 

[OLDSTER]

I had a Sgt. that worked for me that bought an AMT Hardballer in stainless. He had a problem getting it to run with all the lubes he tried. I was kidding him and told him to try 30 weight motor oil on it. He did and it worked great.

Usually I just use gun oil, on my guns.

I've been using Mobil 1 Synthetic for years.

 

[Adromeda]

There are those that swear by certain brand lubricants/grease/oils and those like me that use what ever is handy and reasonably priced. I clean and lube liberally my AR's on a regular basis and have never had any sort of failure, glitch or unusual wear in all my years of shooting. Recently I have used
Mobil 1 since I have it on the shelf for my antique automobiles in the barn.

 

[chief38]

RIG makes an excellent grease just for all-stainless pistols to reduce galling. I have been using it for years on my few all-stainless semi-autos with great success.

I also use RIG +P Grease - excellent on ALL guns, not just stainless.

 

[terry_tr6]

https://*************.com/?page_id=3667



have a read on this, the best testing i have seen. hornady one lube came out well.

 

[Lon C.]

I don't shoot much anymore, but when I do, I use G96 exclusively on my 327 R8; after cleaning, I finish the firearm off with a wipe with a silicone-impregnated cloth. That's it.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have found that when it comes to lubricating revolvers, less is more.

 

[Warren Sear]

I have found that when it comes to lubricating revolvers, less is more.

That is true for all guns. Slopping on lots of oil provides no more lubrication than just a very thin coat.