Can you use 3 in 1 oil on guns?

3 in 1 is a poor lubricant for guns. It has little corrosion protection.

I used to until they came out with CLP. I still use it on my fishing reels and locks.

Yes, but compared to modern lubricants, it does a rather poor job. It is really too thin and volatile for firearms use.

If you are looking for something inexpensive to buy in bulk that is a fantastic gun lubricant, pick up a quart of Mobil 1 10W30 (full synthetic PAO oil, not dinosaur derived). It's a little too thick for putting on the gun's exterior, but on slide rails and such, it is superior to a lot of

I wouldn't. It gums up badly. I once used some on a clock when I was a kid. Result: dead clock.

Maybe this will help<http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=462452>

If you look at a few dozen old guns notice all of the oil soaked stocks with dark oil stains and cracks next to the actions.

Most of that is due to 3 in 1 Oil being the universal firearms lubricant back in the day.
It's so thin it runs out one end when you put it on the other end!

And it offers almost zero rust protection.

Use it to oil the wheels on your lawn mower and buy some modern gun care products.

rc

Yep. Growing up in the Ozarks, 3-in-1 oil was the standard for guns, so much that when I smell it, I think "guns!" And you can see the dark stains around the wrist of many an old .30-30 where the 3-in-1 oil drained down and soaked the wood.

It stays wet and attracts dust and dirt that produces gum.IIUC, most modern gun lubes are two parts: a carrier-penetrant that goes on wet and evaporates and a dry lubricant. If I'm wrong on this, someone please correct me.

It stays wet and attracts dust and dirt that produces gum.IIUC, most modern gun lubes are two parts: a carrier-penetrant that goes on wet and evaporates and a dry lubricant. If I'm wrong on this, someone please correct me.

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Some of them are (the various Teflon and molybdenum disulfide dry lubes come to mind), but a lot of them are just very, very good wet lubes. Modern synthetics don't turn to gum even when exposed to dirt and dust; on the contrary, they keep the dust and dirt suspended and loose so that the operation of the firearm can clear it out. Some wet lubes do have solvent carriers to allow them to be sprayed on and then thicken to a thicker viscosity that is better for lubrication when the solvent evaporates (e.g., Rem Oil, CLP).

The question is somewhat reminiscent of the old line about whether it's possible to can catch VD on a toilet seat. The answer: Of course you can, but it's quite uncomfortable. So sure, you can use 3-1 oil in a lot of settings, guns included, but there are plenty of better products out there.

Here's a link to an article in The Gun Zone that is worth a read, detailing some serious testing of lubricants and rust preventatives; perhaps it will help folks sort through some of the issues:

http://www.thegunzone.com/rust.html

Of course you can. It works fine. I've been using 3-in-1 for 55 years on my guns, reels, and the carpenter's tools I make my living with....and I live 200 yds from salt water.
I can't abide rust. If the stuff didn't work I wouldn't still be using it.

Tinpig

In a simple answer: yes, you can use it. There are better things out there. But it will provide protection, especially if you are not carrying the firearms daily or leaving it on a boat, etc. You will need to-reapply it more often than some other more modern products, and thus the added run-off and more mess. I still use it in some limited applications when other lubes aren't right near by.

For sliding surfaces and those with a lot of shear, like a frame rail or a sear, etc., I still don't trust it enough to have the film strength to not migrate away. I would still use some grease on spots like that. No need for anything crazy - get some white lithium grease from NAPA for that if you want. Works great in other non-gun applications, too.

I use it sometimes if that is what's handy.

Bought a Daisy Red Rider BB gun in the last month and they recommend against using it. Manual says use 20W oil.... who sells 20W oil?

Bought a Daisy Red Rider BB gun in the last month and they recommend against using it.

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As a 30+ year Red Ryder owner and shooter, amateur machinist and professional physical science student, Let me say:

1) I believe their recommendation is based on what base stock petroleum product will supplement and not degrade the rubber seals on the air piston, not what is the best lubricant or anti-oxidant

2) Red Ryders make awesome air guns for practice - accurate and above all consistent. My RR shoots with the same ballistic characteristics it did in the '70s. Remarkable.

3) Don't confuse what an air gun needs with what a center-fire handgun needs. Just not comparable.

To your point: if you can't find 20w oil, just use straight 30w. Or use 20w-"X" blend where "X" is as small as you can find. It will work fine.

I mostly mentioned the Daisy to make a point that there must be a difference. Been using RemOil, but I didn't understand why the manual stated this. Not trying to change the subject on this thread. I just thought it interesting that a BB gun manual would actually state NOT to use it. It is for some young kids since I know their mother won't provide that kind of training. I was pleasantly surprised at the power level as my old one never had much umph.

A little dab will do ya..........

There used to be a gunsmith in my town (dead 20 years now) who had a bottle of 3in1 oil prominently displayed under a warning sign in his shop. It has been so long ago that I can't remember exactly what the warning said but it was either that it damaged bluing or wood. I do remember the head line of the sign said "Do not use 3 in 1 on guns."

it works ok i have been using 3 in one for a long time on my guns i like to mix it with rig to dilute the rig then use that to wipe of my stuff works really well i wouldn't trust it on slide rails or anything i use white lithium grease for that.

A little dab will do ya..........

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Is Brylcreem a good gun lubricant?

I'm one of those strange folks that like to use gun oil for guns. Call me crazy.


I really like Gun Butter, it seems to the best I've found.

In our Free Market Democracy® the consumer is putatively king. You can use peanut butter to lube your gun, if you like.

But it isn't necessarily a good idea.

Nor is 3 in 1 oil.

3in1 oil,peanut oil,corn oil or even water has some lubricating characteristics. Any of them are better than none.

Using too much oil, regardless of what brand, is what causes oil-soaked stocks.

Why use something that wasn't intended for firearms when you can get a small bottle of Rem Oil for $2