Question on Lucas Gun Products

[constellation]

I've been using Breakfree CLP since the mid 80s, but whatever changes they've done lately in my latest batch has made this stuff break my hands out and leave them dry and rash like. I bought two different 4oz bottles of the liquid and both had this effect. A friend who lives a few hours away recommended Lucas Extreme Duty CLP to clean and Extreme Duty Gun Oil to lubricate. On my last visit, I applied a few drops to my hands, didn't wash for hours and experienced no ill effects. It smells like grape-scented bass lure worms.
My question is this: will this stuff harm the clear coat finishes on my S&W revolvers? Has anyone here used this stuff on their snubbies and been happy? Thank you for any good info.

 

[chief38]

I've been using Breakfree CLP for about 3 1/2 -4 years ever since Birchwood - Casey discontinued my favorite gun product which was Rig #2 Oil. The Breakfree CLP I have has not changed (since I have started using it) and the newest batch I have is approximately a year or so old. When I bought it, I bought 3 bottles and so if they have changed the formula recently I am unaware. Seems to work just fine and does not smell any different. In fact, I have a metal box left over from dark Chocolate that I use to store an oil rag treated with CLP. I use it in my work shop after using tools to prevent rust. I usually use the oil rag at least a half dozen times a day and have not noticed any issues with my skin. When I use it to clean and lube firearms I do wear Nitrile gloves - but that is not just to keep the oil off my hands, it's mostly to keep the lead and primer residue off my skin.

Lucas Extreme Gun Oil is a relatively new product and I do have a couple of friends who love the stuff. Personally I have not tried it yet but from what I've read, it is still a Petroleum based product. You might have developed an allergy to what ever ingredients are in the CLP but again, if they have changed the formula I am not aware of it. Skin allergy's do exist.

Since Lucas is a product that I've not tried yet, I can't tell you wether or not it is safe for clear coated firearms. I'd strongly suggest calling Lucas and asking them - they should know. You could also call S&W and ask them as well.

In general, it is a good idea to wear gloves when working with any petroleum based products regardless of manufacturer. Your skin is not chemical proof ( it is permeable ) and pretty much anything we use does work its way into our bodies.

About the safest products one could probably use is plain old Mineral Oil. From what I understand, Hoppes, Starrett, etc. is nothing more than Mineral Oil and should be relatively safe for your hands. Because of that it probably isn't as effective for cleaning lead and carbon deposits off guns, probably isn't as good at preventing rust, but for sensitive skin would probably make more sense.

We all like to think we have a miracle, do-all product to use on our guns, but the truth of the matter is that unless your firearms are in extreme environments often, neglected or abused, almost any mineral based gun oil will be fine. Unless you live in a super rainy and wet environment, extreme cold or damp, Hoppes Gun Oil (mineral oil) should be just fine. I know some who just use generic Mineral Oil from the Drug or Big Box store and it works just fine for them.

Bottom line is if you do like the Lucas - call the Company and ask them your questions regarding how safe it is for finishes. I'd also ask how safe it is for your skin and liver.

SAFETY DATA SHEET FOR LUCAS:

https://lucasoil.com/pdf/SDS_Extreme-Gun-Oil.pdf

 

[Rlg#17]

I have been using Lucas products for the last several years with zero skin reactions. That is both the gun oil, and red grease. Have the solvent also, but am going to use up the Hoppes first.

I have used it on various firearms with no damage to the exterior finish, or internals of the pistols, revolvers, or long guns. The red grease seems to last a bit longer then others that I have used.

When I clean and lube the Dillons, they seem to run better during the reloading process. AND they seem to run longer between lube and cleaning sessions then other products that I use to use on them. My last run of 9mm was 12,000 rounds, before they needed attention.

Lucas products were hard to find, but last time I was at Cabelas they seemed to have everything in stock. I bought severalof each product and have passed it out to friends. No one has reported anything negative at this time.

Regards, Rick Gibbs

 

[Racer X]

some auto parts stores that sell Lucas products carry a few of the gun lubes. Advanced Auto Parts is where I got mine.

 

[Jaymo]

I don’t know if it harms clear coat finishes, but I bought some and used it to oil the bearings on a small AC electric fan motor.
It was very slick and seems to be doing a very good job.

 

[gwpercle]

I've been using a bottle of Lucas Gun Oil for several years .
It is a reddish color and slighly heavier than CLP .
It's a good oil ... it's base may be Lucas ATF (automatic transmission fluid) with an additive or two for guns ... but that ain't a bad thing ! ATF by itself is a great lubricant also .
It hasn't affected the clear coat finish on my Air-Weight and Air-Lite revolvers ...but I don't soak them in the stuff . Oil them and wipe them down . S&W's clear coat needs improvement ... it doen't take much of anything to remove/damage it ...don't use Acetone or kerosine around the stuff . Brake Cleaner or Ed's Red Bore Cleaner ... only use a cleaner safe for plastic ... that finish is W-I-M-P-Y !!!
Gary

 

[Protocall_Design]

I have used Break Free for decades. It's been a good product. I switched to Lucas products couple of years ago when I found them. All their stuff is available on Amazon. They have had amazing automotive products forever. I like the bluish color Extreme Duty Gun Oil for just about any lubricating job because it stays where you put it, has high heat resistance, and doesn't gum up over time. I suspect it's a synthetic, although it doesn't say that.

I mostly use it to lubricate revolver lockworks. You can get a 1 oz bottle with a needle tip that makes it easy to put just a drop right where you want it. I put one drop wherever something interacts with something else, either sliding or pivoting. I use the red color, lower viscosity oil where the cylinder rotates on the crane tube, so it will turn freely.

 

[constellation]

Called Lucas

I phoned Lucas as suggested and was blessed to actually get a man on the line who was a firearms enthusiast. I called the HQ in CA, so I was unsure of who I would be transferred to after calling. The man said he has several clear coat finished firearms by S&W and the Extreme Duty CLP and Extreme Duty Oil are good to go as he has been using them for years. He said the aerosol Gun Cleaner is a no-no, despite being non-chlorinated. No surprise there. He also said that with any petroleum products, skin sensitivity is subjective. As mentioned, wearing gloves is recommended.
As mentioned earlier in the thread, those clear coat finishes are simply very weak. I don't even bother going beyond a toothbrush and rag on the cylinder face on these revolvers. My Ruger LCR finish, even though it doesn't have a clear coat, is as tough as nails. It's a DLC-type finish, but is black. It seems to resist most things very well. I pocket carry all snubbies in a DeSantis Nemesis, which is very easy on any finish. I wipe down every time.
The heat and humidity in East Texas is very detrimental to firearms. I do store with a molecule-thin wipe down of oil in gun socks in a safe with a Goldenrod and Zerust NoRust Vapor Capsules. The humidity in my safe sits at 45-50% with a temp in the high 70s. So far so good after many years.

 

[Claymore33]

I like LUCAS products and I like the Lucas family. They support many important causes that I also support like Ranching and Hunting.

 

[Borderboss]

I've begun wearing disposable nitrile gloves when cleaning my guns. It's not because of skin irritation issues. It's mostly because I don't like the dirtiness on my skin nor the smell some of them leave (Hoppes #9 anyone?).

So if you like the way the Lucas products work, but you have a skin sensitivity to them, I recommend staring to use gloves. A box of 100 is really inexpensive on Amazon.

 

[Autonomous]

It's not unheard of to become sensitized to chemicals over time.
Imagine the guy that has spent years building a boat and close to the end he cannot be near epoxy anymore. It has happened.

Nitrile glover are way better than vinyl or latex in my experience. The 7 mil ones are tough enough to be used many times.

 

[reddogs]

Lucas does a great job promoting late model dirt track racing and tractor pulling.Their diesel truck additives for fuel,oil and grease are good in my trucks.Their gun oil seems as good as any never had any problem from anything i ever used.Lucas seems like good company to support.