I was told that that mixture in a 1 part 10w30:1 part ATF ratio or a 4:1 ratio was magic for using as a lube on AR15s.. Well, upon reading up on it, it looked like several people have used a mixture similar.. Has anybody here tried it? Wouldn't the mixture be too thick?
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Synthetic Oil + Synthetic ATF lube?
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Ballistic147
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I'm using it on 4 different AR's and it works well. Only difference is I use 75w90 synthetic Mobil 1 gear oil in place of motor oil. Reason is that gear oil contains more of the extreme pressure additives than motor oil which may or may not help to prevent wear. I also add in a little boron nitride to the mix which is a very slippery powder that over time will burnish into the mating surfaces.
And for those that are going to say gear oil is too thick, the numbering system for gear oil and motor oil is different. A 10w30 motor oil and a 75w90 gear oil are nearly the same viscosity.
And for those that are going to say gear oil is too thick, the numbering system for gear oil and motor oil is different. A 10w30 motor oil and a 75w90 gear oil are nearly the same viscosity.
Can't see how you could stand the smell of the 90wt gear oil. YUK.. As for high pressure additives, ATF has all the high pressure qualities your AR will ever need. After all, it seems to handle the shearing effects of gears and chains in both transmissions and transfer cases in 4X4's just fine and with Dexron VI it handles it for up to 100,000 miles... 90 wt gear oil not only smells like sht, it won't protect your rifle any better either. Especially in cold weather. Straight up synthetic ATF is better lube than any gun oil on the market all by itself.
Disabled1
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My mixture is 90% M1 10W30 + 10% MerconV transmission fluid. If I'm not using that I use GRIZZLY GREASE or 3 IN 1 oil.
I've heard 3 in 1 was bad for firearms, kinda like using wd40.. Not sure if that's true though, I've seriously contemplated trying it out (3 in 1).. It's probably obvious that I'm use to using hopes elite gun lube.. Use to using runny stuff and wanted something better.. And cheaper.. If y'all say it's good to use, I'll mix it up and refill the hopes bottle once I use the last little bit in it.
Not a thing wrong with 3in1 oil as long as you're not trying to make it do something it's not designed for. 3in1 is a great cleaning oil. On a rough rag or 0000 steel wool it will easily remove surface rust, lube slide rails and on a patch will do for light carbon fouling cleaning. It is also good in the bore for short term storage. Would I use it on an AR bolt? No it's too light weight for that, but it has it's place in the gun world.
Florida J Frame
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Another cure looking for a problem thread.
gwpercle
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3 in 1 is a high grade light machine oil, think sewing machine and electric motors . Not bad for firearms at all . Great for double action pistol internals .
WD40 is a Water Displacing (WD) penetrating type oil. It is thin bodied , and in time will dissipate.
Each product is good for their intended purpose , you have to use the right product for what you want it to do.
Give 3 in 1 a try , it has a not unpleasant smell , works fine as a light oil and is affordable.
I too like Hoppe's Elite , it has no smell , but that small bottle is expensive and doesn't go far.
For a really inexpensive gun oil mix equal parts ATF and K-1 Kerosene. Kerosene is a oil with cleaning properties and ATF is a great lube. This is a inexpensive CLP. But it does have a little smell, not bad but it's not odorless.
Gary
These days I just buy a tub of this stuff and I am good to go. Still use some CLP but for the most part this is my go to AR15 and pistol lube.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/16795246...75035&wl11=online&wl12=16795246&wl13=&veh=sem
I see no need to pay more or mess around mixing stuff up.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/16795246...75035&wl11=online&wl12=16795246&wl13=&veh=sem
I see no need to pay more or mess around mixing stuff up.
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rockquarry
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Why not just buy a good oil / lubricant intended for the purpose instead of trying to save a dime on something of dubious worth?
Moe Mentum
Member
Do you use gun oil in your car ?
Disabled1
US Veteran
3 IN 1 oil has been around for ages. It was there long before all of these "FANCY SMANCY" lubes that are out today!
When I was 5-6 years old is when my grandfather started showing me how to clean and lube firearms. He used a combination of kerosene and ATF for cleaning and 3 IN 1 oil for lubrication.
When I was 5-6 years old is when my grandfather started showing me how to clean and lube firearms. He used a combination of kerosene and ATF for cleaning and 3 IN 1 oil for lubrication.
Simply because the demands placed on lubrication by firearms is not that demanding. There is no need to pay 10X as much for something that is basically repackaged lubricant designed for a different purpose.
cowboy4evr
Member
The basics of " Eds Red " is : Mineral Spirits , K1 Kerosene (camp stove fuel ) and ATF . He talks about adding acetone so it will cut through carbon build up quicker . Also mentions lanolin . Everything is mixed in equal parts . The first 3 are the primary parts , the rest is optional .
The only thing I would add to this is that transmission fluid has red dye in it that will stain. Power steering fluid is the same thing, but without the dye.
Motor oil gives almost no corrosion protection, and oxidizes quickly. It is not a good firearms lube.
Seriously I wasn't kidding, this new stuff from Geissele is awesome and completely non-toxic. Even the folks on m4carbine.net rate it well.
ALG Go-Juice Lubricant (4 oz.)
ALG Go-Juice Lubricant (4 oz.)
hdwhit
Member
First, page 38 of S&W's manual for the M&P-15 Sport II says that it should be lubricated with a high quality firearms oil. 3-in-1 as a light machine oil meets that requirement.
Second, I bought several cans of Sears Household Oil (their version of 3-in-1) in about 1979. I am on my last can of it. With the exception of a motor oil on some inaccessable areas (like the barrel under the handguard), the Sears Household Oil is all I have used to lubricate my guns for more than 36 years and none of my guns is any the worse for their use.
Third, during the time between about 1995 and 2013 that I was disabled and the guns sat untouched and unmaintained, the gun parts that had been coated with motor oil and the Household Oil experienced no rust or corrosion.
