[Stealthfixr]

Like many of you, I've seen almost endless postings about "what grease/oil is best for my pistol". I don't mean to start another one of those. Instead, what I'd be curious to see is what you actually USE in your pistols, and which product has the largest following. That's not necessarily an indicator of what is best, but a start. There are so many options, and listing them in another "what is best" posting does not point someone in a direction; it's more confusing if anything. So, vote for what you use, and post the reasons why if you feel strongly about it!

What oil/grease lubricants do you use the most (can vote more than once) on your autoloading pistols?

[boofus]

I like the Rem Oil, but I also use Breakfree if I don't have any. :D

Rem oil doesn't smell as stank as Breakfree or Hoppes.

[Schuey2002]

What lubricants do you use the most (can vote more than once) on your autoloading pistols?
I'm using Militec-1 almost exclusively on all of my autochuckers.. ;)

[PO2Hammer]

Lithium!
Nothing makes a Glock trigger smoother.
Powder fouling also just wipes off any surface lubed with lithium.
Works at 20 degrees below zero or 100 above.
Doesn't flow away from where you want it to where you don't.

[sm]

TW25B
G96 Gun treatment
G96 synthetic gun oil
Kellube
STOS
LSA
machine oil

[Mastrogiacomo]

M-Pro 7 :D I don't use anything else -- no smell, user friendly, environmentally friendly to clean with. I use the oil by the same company or Cutters. Either does just fine.

[Bobarino]

i use Tetra on slide rails and guide rods and such and Rem Oil on all the little bits like sears, trigger axles etc.

i've never tried Lithium grease. might be good for those bipolar moments too!

Bobby

[WhoKnowsWho]

There are just so many choices, so far, I used the one that came with my first cleaning kit from Kleen Bore. But after that ran out, I mainly use Breakfree CLP. I have some M Pro 7 that I only use for barrel cleaning. And some Butch's Bore Shine for barrel cleaning too. And I have the sample of Miltec-7.

I used to clean everything all the time, but with so many pieces, and the fear of over cleaning, I clean less often now. A quick external wipe and that is usually about it until they get real dirty.

[JohnKSa]

BF CLP for light lube and corrosion protection.

Lithium grease for heavy aluminum/steel contact-like slide to aluminum frame.

Molybdenum disulfide grease for heavy steel/steel contact light sears, etc.

[Stealthfixr]

bump

[dev_null]

Breakfree and Ballistol. You didn't ask about cleaning materials so skipping those.

- 0 -

[FJC]

I've been happy with FP-10 as a CLP, with Wilson Ultima Grease on rails.

Lube is not a religion for me, though. These products work well and I'd recommend them to anyone, but I'm certain that other brands are excellent as well.

[messiercat]

I'm with Schuey on militec-1. It conditions the metal as well.

[OF]

I clean the guns with breakfree, oil with FP-10 and then lube with TW25B. The FP-10 get down into places where the heavier TW25B won't.

...but I wasn't aware that you could use FP-10 as a CLP...I think I'll give that a shot.

- Gabe

[Chupacabra]

I use MPro-7 most of the time, but occasionally I'll give my guns a good blast of Breakfree.

[George Hill]

"militec-1. It conditions the metal as well."

Just how does it "condition" metal?
What does that mean?

[clipse]

I use it and Militec.


clipse

[messiercat]

"Just how does it "condition" metal?
What does that mean?"

George, according to the militec website:
"MILITEC-1 protects metal surfaces with a constant impregnated molecular bond of synthetic-based hydrocarbon derivatives which will not change any tolerances inside or outside of weapons. MILITEC-1 works within the molecular structure and micropores of metal and non-metallic surfaces of weapons."

I'm no chemist, but the info and graphs at the site make sense, and from first hand experience the stuff, in minute quantities, is the best I've come across.

Also, there was (is?) an ongoing controversy to say the least.
Over in Iraq the soldiers were getting killed because their weapons jammed with CLP (cleaner, lubricant and protectorant), and all because of bureaucratic stonewalling. Militec proved to be the best, pure and simple because with it, the guns don't jam with the talcum powder sand in country. stories:

http://www.sftt.org/cgi-bin/csNews/csNews.cgi?command=viewone&id=21&database=FTE%20Archive%2edb

http://www.militec-1.com/articles/sftt2.html

I'm not affiliated in any way with militec.

[roo_ster]

In an arid, dusty environment, the ARs really ought to be run dry ...or with powdered graphite. Any liquid oil/lube/grease is gonna attract dust/sand like flys on...3 day old fish.

********************

"Conditioning Metal"
Beware clever marketing.

I have seasoned (conditioned?) cast iron pots, but I am not so sure it would work on quality stainless/carbon steel or aluminum.

There is a case hardening process for steel, which hardens a few thousandths of inches deep into the surface.

Thing is, both seasoning iron pots and case hardening steel require relatively high temperature for a sustained period of time (among other things).

I am not slamming MILITEC-1 and have not used it. It might be the best thing since sliced bread, but it sure sounds like a marketing gimmick to me.

Final disclaimer: I don't think clever marketing is a bad thing. How else are potential customers gonna know what's out there & how it might scratch their itch? Misleading marketing, OTOH...

[T.Stahl]

I use Ballistol and BreakFree CLP.

[sm]

I don't have an AR. I have shot those belonging to others tho'.

I have read where Pat Rodgers suggests running AR and similar "well lubed" contrary to popular belief. He prefers a synthetic lube such as TW25B.

I dont' have an AR, I have never attended a training out in sandy /dusty conditions. I believe I am citing Mr. Rodgers correctly. If I am mistaken, I apologize to Mr. Rodgers.

I respect his works and expereince, I'm learning.

[auldpharght]

I agree with PO2Hammer about lithium grease. It's inexpensive, readily avialable and a better protective lubricant than the products you buy that are made only for firearms.:eek:

Lithium grease is what is used in constant-velocity joints. Can you think of anything needing more adherence and protection, with more potential for friction and wear than a CV joint?

White lithium grease provides the superior lubricity of PTFE plus excellent protection for metal and moving parts. It withstands heavy loads and high speeds while preventing rust and corrosion.

Auldpharght

[C. H. Luke]

What's worked best for own use is Kellube.
For grease its TW25B.
Tetra grease is not bad at all but their new "oil" is lousy.

FWIW, If you contact Mobil thy'll tell you not to use Mobil 1 on firearms.

[PO2Hammer]

FWIW, Wilson Ultima lube is lithium grease. Comes in those nice little syringes.
Bill Wilson is a big believer in Lithium, especially on bushings, rails and lockups.
I use local hardware store brand (Victor) and paint it on lightly.
OTOH, Minnesota is hardly hot and sandy.

[Beetle Bailey]

I voted for Breakfree CLP as my lub of choice for my autopistols. Why? Well, this may sound pretty lame, but I use it because that is what the guy who taught me how to clean firearms uses. Yes, it's monkey see, monkey do, but I haven't had any issues with it, so I don't fix what ain't broke. :rolleyes:

BTW, I use Tetra grease or the Brownell's action lube (the stinky cancerous stuff) for my rifles, but not my pistols. I think the Brownell's is a bit better than the Tetra, but the smell and the cancer part keep me from singing its praises.

[tc300mag1]

I prefer FP-10 and Rig+p

[George Hill]

"I'm no chemist, but the info and graphs at the site make sense, and from first hand experience the stuff, in minute quantities, is the best I've come across. "

Dude, I could draw you some graphs, charts and write up some literature that would make you think "I can't believe it's not butter" is the shizznit for guns... and if you have not used better, you wouldn't know any butter... er... better.

Militec-1 might "condition" metal... but it really doesnt do anything else. It is a poor lube and it provides ZERO corrosion protection. But if you like it, fine...

[sm]

Actually Wilson's Ultima lube is made to his specs by Pro-Tec in Memphis. The Protec is a better product than Wilson's. Protec is a better lube than FP-10

Mobil 1 most likely does not want to suggest anything other than what their core business is. It is probably due to lawyers, and not getting into all the hype.

Pro- Tech's chemist does not get involved in hype if you have not noticed. Nor does the chemist at G96. They have sold a lot of stuff over the years and is some good stuff.

If a company blows horn hard and loud they get attention. IF any negative reviews should result that negates any positve advertising. When and if negative reviews are made, and add the Internet...big time stepping and fetching to cover the bad PR. Gets real tangled real quick. Surround yourself with groupies, get a forum, post letters folks are getting killed because not using your lube, become razzle dazzle with condending remarks about compeitiors products...

Boy with toy goes to buy another product with fancy label, which is also a private branded product, to add to his collection . Boy with toy perhaps buys a product that someone used the equipement to decipher what the competitor is doing...change just enough to steal that product , but be legal, now he has two of the same lube but the strawberry scented one is oh so much better than the rasberry one. Anyone can do this. Even you ...and you too can have the newest slickest stuff on the market.

I'm waiting for the low carb, low sodium, low chloseterol , reduced fat version that doubles as a CLP and can be used on pancakes. Trust me...this will be the start of new and exciting gun lube threads. I said it first on THR folks. ;)

Only problem I see with such a product...well...folks don't have time to shoot , then again they cannot afford ammo to shoot, with all the monies going for buying lubes and having to clean - clean guns...how are they going to have the money for pancakes and time to fix them...won't be anytime to eat to see how well it tastes. I guess I will wait for the heated forum threads :)

IT is not just firearms. Visit any website on any subject, Bicycles is a good one for starters, they too have big time thread and heated debates...makes one yearn for a good old fashioned 9mm vs 45ACP thread.

You have need to clean a firearm, to lube it, and to keep it from rusting. Everyone has a different enviroment. Hot , cold, dry, wet, dusty, freshwater, saltwater. A GE minigun has more of lube situation than a model 10.

For as long as there are boys with toys, guns, bikes, cars, trucks...there will always be this agruement and quest for the Holy Grail.

Ladies just go to the dealer have whatever dealer uses to change oil every 3 months or 3k miles. Damn thing still goes 100k miles before she trades and gets real anal about a new car -" I want a blue one"- does the same damn thing for another 100k miles. 3 in 1 from the grocery store takes care of the hinges around the house and the daughter's bicycle. If the bike goes the bike shop to get a flat fixed or the seat raised, that guy will do the chain with Tri- flow most likely. Women can do this...must be a hormone, thing. :p NO wait...nevermind...I gave up trying to figure out women a long time ago.

Personally ...if all this crap was gone tomorrow I'd be real happy. Soap and water or gasoline to clean. Bring back Sperm Whale oil to lube and prevent rust...and screw the pantywaisted PETA bunch and tree huggers.

I ran out of Sperm Whale oil...I ever find it again I am going to buy all I can afford and make a point to tell every PETA pathetic I find what I am using on a friggin gun.

I'm working on being a curmudgeon and reprobate. :)

[Sean Smith]

Actually Wilson's Ultima lube is made to his specs by Pro-Tec in Memphis. The Protec is a better product than Wilson's. Protec is a better lube than FP-10

Got evidence? Just curious.

[sm]

I was talking to Wilson's , in particular the fella ( name escapes me) he was the fella that knew Ruger Revolvers. He is no longer there. He was really good on Rugers though. Anyway the fella having the work done on his Ruger asked him. The fella said yeah, Bill had Steve and the bunch at Pro- Tec make up to his (Bill's) specs what he wanted.

So I then I had a conversation with Pro-Tec at a shoot. "Yeah, we make it" we do private labels for folks". Fella from Colt , sits down, "Yeah that new T6 , we have a deal through the makers of TW25B , we were impressed, struck an arrangement, and that is what you are getting when you buy T6 with the Colt label.

So over a BBQ dinner, we visited, I shared some similar products with private bonding and quite interesting. Lets see Hoppe's has changed hands since the Original Penguin Industries, Brunswick, now Michael's of Or, got hooked up with Castrol, and the Castrol/Hoppe's stuff is syn oil about 10w, fancy can and label.

We just kinda laughed about it, this is not new, been going on forever. Folks work for a company, decide to head out on their own, change some stuff and have a product. Sometimes a lawsuit , sometimes far enough removed to be legal.

Sam's Club soda's iced down in Tubs, Sam, don't make a soda, Pricsaver don't make salt, Top Care don't make aspirin...Road Runner don't make gas.

So I can get my name on a frame and slide, gun lube, range bag, headache med, eye drops, shooting glasses...but I don't want to.

I did that for folks in another business, getting their name and logo on stuff , either to sell, or to present to employees as gifts.

Find a real chemist, run a spectra- graph, and whatever else they use....damn Margo, just like Morten's make salt, got 'em labeled as Kroger, Harvest Food, Shurfine, Price-Saver,Freds..."hell all it is is NaCl " you can do with or without Iodine for the thyroid.

Damn Margo...this here gun lube is...

Tamara said it best...Silly Little Tribes...in everything.

Call Wilson's, Call Pro-Tec...they had a "metal treatment" dealie a lot longer than some folks....

Here you go...Ronsonol and Zippo have a lighter fluid - right? Shell Oil does the refining, makes the stuff, you want a yellow plastic bottle, or a tin can currently using a black label with Zippo on it? I prefer the can myself.

Don Yoder - inventor of Breakfree, nice guy. sent me a sample too many years ago as I was doing some plating as well. Still the best BF was Mr. Yoders original formulation. Politics, tree huggers, and powers that be formula changed, now owned by AH.

[cratz2]

I've used the first three options listed, but I pretty much use FP10 exclusively these days.

[Sean Smith]

Realized my post wasn't clear: I was asking for evidence that one was better than the others, not that Wilson didn't make their own lube.

[chevrofreak]

I use a mix of Tetra grease, Militec-1 grease, Mobil-1 15w-50 synthetic, 3in1 oil, and Inhibitor rust protectant.

[seed]

FP-10...my first post by the way...seemed as good of a place as any.

[jc2]

I'm not real particular--haven't been able to see that much difference in any of them, and formulas do change more often than labels. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Eezox. It seems just about good as any of the of them as a lubricant and even better as a preservative (but I don't think very of it as a cleaner) even though it's supposed to be a CLP).

[Barry in IN]

I'm a multiple voter.
I voted for automotive oil (Castrol Synquest), FP-10, MiliTec-1 (probably my favorite), and "other".

The "other" is MiliTec-1 grease.

[Satch]

I tried some Remington Dri-lube and it seems to work good and I noticed less accumilation of powder ressidue on the guns inner parts than with a oil-grease lube.

[meathammer]

I use Breakfree and an automotive moly/synthetic grease for the slide rails. The grease was about $2.00 for a big can of it. Should last me a long time.

I was looking into firearm specific greases and most are pretty pricey. I figured for 2 bucks how could I go wrong?

Not saying the automotive grease is better, but it's slick, stays put, it works, and it's cheap.

[NEtracker]

Was using BF CLP for years. Now using FP-10.

[ewayte]

I use Kleen-Bore products exclusively - one stop gun care shopping.

TW25B on the moving parts, Formula 3 oil elsewhere.
Gunk-Out and No. 10 solvent for cleaning.

[dairycreek]

I have used this product for about 5 years for all my guns. Outstanding results all around. http://www.eezox.com/ Good shooting;)

[Dave Markowitz]

I use FP-10 and automatic transmission fluid, although not at the same time.

[NMGlocker]

Lucas gun oil, sold in most heavy equipment and truck parts stores.
Excellent synthetic gun oil, I use it on all my pistols, especially in the summer when other oils will run off in the high temperatures.
200-300 rounds over two hours on a 100+ degree day will really test a lubricant.

[Badger Arms]

One more vote for EEZOX. Did I vote already? It's a VERY good product. It holds its own in the lube department, is the BEST rust protector around, and it also does an outstanding job of cleaning. The only downfall is that it's more expensive than a comparable bottle of something like break-free and nobody in town carries it. I end up ordering it and paying about $10 a quart to have it shipped here.

Bad points: It eats some plastics and makes the bottles you put it in gummy. I've got a Chinese oil bottle that seems to work pretty well for it. It's also funky smelling compared to other products. My wife isn't as approving of it over, say, Break Free. Guns I've cleaned with it stay rust-free for years though so I'm happy with it myself.

Oh, and it doesn't gum-up in super-cold weather like Break-Free does! That is a MAJOR advantage in a working gun.

[twoblink]

Women that help me clean get MPro7, because it doesn't smell.. I like Hoppes...

But for lub, all my rifles get generic white lithium, and all my pistols get CLP.

[JohnKSa]

Well, we may not know what's best, but it looks like we know what's used most...

[gryphon]

LUBRIPLATE

[Stealthfixr]

Thanks everyone for your votes and comments. It's easy to see the lubricants folks are using most, with Breakfree C/LP being a clear leader. I was also surprised to see that grease(s) do not seem to be widely used, according to the poll. I usually put a grease of one sort or another on my slide rails--I guess most do not! Anyway, interesting results ...