Mini-14: grease or oil

briansmithwins · Yesterday, 10:43 AM

For best relaibility in dusty conditions should I use grease or oil on the external track, locking lugs, and hammer of a Mni-14?

Yes, I read the manual and know it calls for lightly oiling those parts. But what does Ruger know?

BSW

ball3006 · Yesterday, 11:20 AM

Ruger made the gun so they should know what is best to care for their guns. If you know more than Ruger about what is best for their products, why aren't you working for them now? chris3

RaceM · Yesterday, 11:21 AM

I use a light sewing machine oil. As for the cocking handle track I either run that dry or very lightly oiled (what's left in the rag from wiping down parts). Same for the lugs. Internals are lightly oiled, but for real dusty conditions I might opt for a graphite lube. I've never tried skull dragging one through the sandbox, but I have carried one through all manner of wet and slop while hunting with no problems.

briansmithwins · Yesterday, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Ruger made the gun so they should know what is best to care for their guns. If you know more than Ruger about what is best for their products, why aren't you working for them now? chris3

If you google search this question you'll find a lot of people arguing that since the Mini resembles a M14 you should grease the Mini the same way.

BSW

1KPerDay · Yesterday, 11:44 AM

IMO doesn't really matter. The gun is so overgassed it'll run fine dry. I use a bit of grease, like on the M1 Carbine on which the mechanism is based, and the M14 on which the looks are based.

stubbicatt · Yesterday, 12:47 PM

How about both?

I sometimes will dip my oil or grease applicator (a horsehair solder flux brush) in a bottle of 5w30 synthetic motor oil, then dip it in the jar of grease to sort of make a slurry, and apply that to pistol slides, and rifle bolt carrier tracks etc. It seems to work really well, and doesn't run off or drip.

FWIW.

dprice3844444 · Yesterday, 12:53 PM

want a thick oil,try stp

Roadking Rider · Yesterday, 01:27 PM

If it slides I put a very light coat of grease on it using a 1/4 paint brush so as to apply it evenly. If it rotates I use a drop of oil. Mini 14's are pretty durable ,especially the newer ones, so it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference if you just use oil. I just choose to lube it the same as I do my M1 Garand.

Andrew Wyatt · Yesterday, 03:09 PM

high temp lithium wheelbearing grease. works on everything, stays in place.

Speedgoat · Yesterday, 10:51 PM

KY? I like to shoot my Mini 14, not take it to the bedroom!

My joke being made, I like the Shooter's Choice that comes in a syringe. Easy to apply halfway cleanly.

briansmithwins · Yesterday, 11:29 PM

So, as of 8:30 the votes are evenly split at 10 and 10.

Anyone change their decision if the rifle is being used around lots of fine dust? Around mud?

BSW

1KPerDay · Today, 12:58 AM

Yeah, I would. I'd run a light oil and keep a bottle handy to hose it down.

**Dr.Rob** · Today, 01:16 AM

CLP, works great.

View Poll Results: Grease or oil?
Grease	13	44.83%
Oil	13	44.83%
Other (dry lube, KY, Crisco...)	3	10.34%
Voters: 29. You may not vote on this poll

Yesterday, 10:43 AM	#1
briansmithwins Member Join Date: August 1, 2005 Posts: 3,061	Mini-14: grease or oil For best relaibility in dusty conditions should I use grease or oil on the external track, locking lugs, and hammer of a Mni-14? Yes, I read the manual and know it calls for lightly oiling those parts. But what does Ruger know? BSW

Yesterday, 11:44 AM	#5
1KPerDay Member Join Date: January 19, 2006 Location: Happy Valley, UT Posts: 8,605	IMO doesn't really matter. The gun is so overgassed it'll run fine dry. I use a bit of grease, like on the M1 Carbine on which the mechanism is based, and the M14 on which the looks are based. __________________ Looking for clean Colt Python in Ultimate Stainless. PM me if you know of one for sale for a reasonable price.

Yesterday, 12:47 PM	#6
stubbicatt Member Join Date: August 23, 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,499	How about both? I sometimes will dip my oil or grease applicator (a horsehair solder flux brush) in a bottle of 5w30 synthetic motor oil, then dip it in the jar of grease to sort of make a slurry, and apply that to pistol slides, and rifle bolt carrier tracks etc. It seems to work really well, and doesn't run off or drip. FWIW. __________________ Hate is a poison which one consumes expecting another to die.

Yesterday, 03:09 PM	#9
Andrew Wyatt Member Join Date: December 25, 2002 Location: Bakersfield, California Posts: 4,440	high temp lithium wheelbearing grease. works on everything, stays in place. __________________ He heard a bang, well not really a bang but more of a crash with metallic overtones of platinum-encrusted steel alloys, hammering against unyielding iron and iridium plates; or maybe it was the clash of huge nickel-zinc rods hitting molybdenum fused sheets of tantalum, then he felt a stab of pain and heard another bang, and wished, instead of using his extensive metallurgy skills to try and analyze the sound, he would have run like hell when he first saw the gun pointed at him.

Yesterday, 11:20 AM	#2
ball3006 Member Join Date: December 26, 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 2,697	Ruger made the gun so they should know what is best to care for their guns. If you know more than Ruger about what is best for their products, why aren't you working for them now? chris3

Yesterday, 11:21 AM	#3
RaceM Member Join Date: April 12, 2011 Posts: 516	I use a light sewing machine oil. As for the cocking handle track I either run that dry or very lightly oiled (what's left in the rag from wiping down parts). Same for the lugs. Internals are lightly oiled, but for real dusty conditions I might opt for a graphite lube. I've never tried skull dragging one through the sandbox, but I have carried one through all manner of wet and slop while hunting with no problems.

Yesterday, 12:53 PM	#7
dprice3844444 Member Join Date: February 26, 2011 Location: se fla i love claymores Posts: 2,784	want a thick oil,try stp

Yesterday, 01:27 PM	#8
Roadking Rider Member Join Date: June 12, 2012 Posts: 349	If it slides I put a very light coat of grease on it using a 1/4 paint brush so as to apply it evenly. If it rotates I use a drop of oil. Mini 14's are pretty durable ,especially the newer ones, so it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference if you just use oil. I just choose to lube it the same as I do my M1 Garand.

Yesterday, 10:51 PM	#10
Speedgoat Member Join Date: June 13, 2011 Location: Wyo. Posts: 136	KY? I like to shoot my Mini 14, not take it to the bedroom! My joke being made, I like the Shooter's Choice that comes in a syringe. Easy to apply halfway cleanly.

Yesterday, 11:29 PM	#11
briansmithwins Member Join Date: August 1, 2005 Posts: 3,061	So, as of 8:30 the votes are evenly split at 10 and 10. Anyone change their decision if the rifle is being used around lots of fine dust? Around mud? BSW

Today, 12:58 AM	#12
1KPerDay Member Join Date: January 19, 2006 Location: Happy Valley, UT Posts: 8,605	Yeah, I would. I'd run a light oil and keep a bottle handy to hose it down. __________________ Looking for clean Colt Python in Ultimate Stainless. PM me if you know of one for sale for a reasonable price.

Today, 01:16 AM	#13
Dr.Rob Moderator Join Date: December 23, 2002 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 11,728	CLP, works great. __________________ Former TFL Moderator. "Guess you broke into the WRONG rec room!" ;)