Lets talk gun lubrication

dennishoddy

dennishoddy

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Feb 11, 2011
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Location
Ponca City, Ok
Over the years in my military career, and hunting, I've ran the range from -70 below zero to 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
Conventional talk has been to use a heavy oil at high temperatures, and a silicone spray or no lube at all at the coldest extreme.

Using the wrong lube can result in situations that could cause a loss of life.

Normal temps from 40-100 degrees F, normal lubes seem to work OK, like rem oil.

I've tried WD-40 at cold temps on a Ruger Mark I around 0 degrees, and its a total fail, gumming up.
I don't like running a gun without any lube, so have tried the silicone spray, and it makes the gun work but have never used it at really low temps.

While stationed in Korea on a mountain top site, we reached -70 below zero. I had to make a perimeter patrol. Carried a Winchester model 12 riot gun with buckshot. Thank God nothing happened as I couldn't even open the action to cycle a round If wanted. Frozen up solid.

During my tour in SE Asia, one could have used axle grease to lube the gun, it was so hot.

I've been putting some thought into gun lube lately.

I don't know what the mil. spec. lube is now for the military, but I'm thinking the synthetic motor oils like Mobil one may be the way to go?

I use the synthetic in all of my small engine at the house, as I use most of them all winter/summer. Mowers, log splitters, etc.

My log splitter fired right up the day after we got to -25 this last winter, while it was still below zero, and it runs good in the mower during summer.

Long story, but what do your guys think of using one of the synthetic motor oils for gun lube?
The specs support it.
 
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Benny Hill, Mike Cyrwus, Kurt Miller all tell me to run Mobil 1. Good enuff for me.
 
Get a dropper bottle from the pharmacy and fill'er up with synthetic oil. drip drop mother f----er!
 
Once was very skeptical that CLP could actually meet the military's lube requirement, it's pretty darn rigorous. So I did some checking and found that the oil stock used in Breakfree CLP was group IV synthetic base stock oil. I.O.W. the same stuff as Mobil 1 is made from. But they also add the teflon and a solvent, so it's going to (and does) burn off faster than motor oil. It's been awhile and may have changed but I doubt it. I use CLP on my AR. Been trying out some Eezox and Ballistol on other things, and I'm liking Slide Glide on my limited gun. I've been using a pretty pricey synthetic grease on my M1A and Garand.

Bottom line is there is a place for several different lubes on the shelf. Just depends on the application.
 
dennishoddy said:
I read that thread earlier, and re-read it again.
I read the flow-ability of Mobil 1, and decided it might be a lube to consider?
Click to expand...
If you stop and consider for a moment, most of the friction areas in gun mechanisms aren't much different from an engine. The slide to frame interface on a 1911 for instance and sear/trigger interface for another, is similar to an old school flat tappet lifter/cam lobe relationship, probably not loaded as highly as a cam lobe in an engine, but sliding surfaces rubbing against each other none the less. Mobil 1 is a fine gun oil. If you want a bit better wear protection get a motorcycle specific synthetic oil. They have more zinc (ZDDP) additive, but I wouldn't worry about it.
 
TroyF said:
Benny Hill, Mike Cyrwus, Kurt Miller all tell me to run Mobil 1. Good enuff for me.
Click to expand...
Those are some serious recommendations from some major players in the shooting sports. I would go with whatever they say.

Do they shoot at -70, or +125?

the original question is extreme low temps or extreme hi temps?

I've experienced both with weapons.

An Elk hunter from Okla needs to know this info when in Colorado or New Mexico.
 
dennishoddy said:
Those are some serious recomendations from some major players in the shooting sports. I would go with whatever they say.

Do they shoot at -70, or +125?

the original question is extreme low temps or extreme hi temps?

I've experienced both with weapons.
Click to expand...
Dennis, I am an Amsoil dealer and our 10W30 will pour at -54 degrees, 5W30 oil will pour at -60, 0W30 will pour at -60, and 0W20 will pour at -65. The Mobil 1 extended performance oils are going to be very similar.

ETA: On the other end at 125 degrees, thats nothing compared to the inside on an engine so they are good there.
 
Bring a big jug to the next match and we will all run it.

Scott Hearn said:
Dennis, I am an Amsoil dealer and our 10W30 will pour at -54 degrees, 5W30 oil will pour at -60, 0W30 will pour at -60, and 0W20 will pour at -65. The Mobil 1 extended performance oils are going to be very similar.

ETA: On the other end at 125 degrees, thats nothing compared to the inside on an engine so they are good there.
Click to expand...
 
I use syn 10w-50 most times as that what my dirt bikes take so I always seems to have some on hand. IF I had to be outside below 30 I would use a 0w-20 syn oil.

Wes
 
I use CLP, thats what I used in the mil. so thats what I kept using. BUT when I run out, I'm going to try this Mobile 1 stuff. If runs in my commercial mower and that engine is screaming for hours! Hot too and in the Oklahoma summer heat even hotter! I have 10w50 for it so I guess its what I'll try. Thanks for the tip. A quart should last a long time.
 
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