AR buffer tube grease, what to use?

I just take an oily rag and wipe the spring down. This seems to help with the spring that you sometimes hear when firing the gun.

I use a bit of moly grease on my buffer spring to quiet the "sproing."

I don't use grease in sandy or dirty environments.

You are supposed to lube the buffer spring.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_7/548967_AR15_LUBE_POINTS.html

Very light coat, if any. Not much needed in there.

I just recently tried some dri-lube that I use for my .22 and seems to work well too. But really the sproing is not indicative of any problems. Just kind of irks some people!

I never actually lube the buffer & spring, but the BCG gets hosed with CLP whenever they're put up, and they sit vertically on the rack, so I'm sure there's a decent amount of lube running down in there.

Those pictures from the AR forum are nice! I'll have to print them.

That said, the buffer spring( along with a lot of other spots on the pictures) is very very low on the list of priorities of lubrication points. It is technically rubbing in there (hence the noise sometimes) but definitely not a high-heat friction situation like the BCG. I have also never felt compelled to lube the FA or dust cover pin. But, apparently the photos were compiled from an Army Manual and their philosophy is probably "Uncertainty? CLP!"

Wheel bearing grease. Put some on your index finger and thumb and run the spring through your fingers. Get more grease as needed.

This is what eliminated the "sproing" on my rifle. Some folks like it, but it annoys the hell out of me. It's cause by the spring rubbing against the inside of the buffer tube, though my new rifle doesn't do it.

I have never used lube in the buffer tube. Just a very light coat of oil on the spring to prevent rust.

You don't need to lube anything in the receiver extension/buffer assembly. Many people never do. Some will likely find its way in there from the carrier during cycling anyway though.

You can lightly coat the spring with oil, if you like. Personally I put a tiny little bit of oil on the spring, just a tad, using an index finger and thumb to apply down the outside of the spring.

I apply a very light coat of Tetra gun grease to the inside of the extension tube.
A little goes a long way

I've never lubed mine, I don't notice a sproing either...but I have an ACS stock with a wide cheek rest and always wear ear protection.

I've never found that I have to clean my lower receiver after firing it either. I usually take a Q-tip drenched in CLP and swab it around the trigger assembly, but it comes back perfectly clean. I am sure some people have to clean it up really good. I guess different rifles, have different quirks.

HOOfan_1 said:

I don't notice a sproing either...but I have an ACS stock with a wide cheek rest and always wear ear protection.

Click to expand...

The sproinging is much more noticeable with a fixed stock since everything is perfectly rigid and conducts vibration better.

It can even be exacerbated by wearing a set of plastic bodied cans that contact the stock.

Well, my ACS stock has the friction lock. The only sproing I notice is when the trigger resets from the disconnect

Sorry for dredging up this old thread, but I am in the process of my first AR build, so I consulted MidwayUSA. Larry Potterfield--in his lower assembly build video--demonstrates using liberal "lithium grease" on the buffer spring and buffer. He's kind of the Dean of Gunsmithing, so his advice is important. What are your thoughts?

AFDoc said:

Sorry for dredging up this old thread, but I am in the process of my first AR build, so I consulted MidwayUSA. Larry Potterfield--in his lower assembly build video--demonstrates using liberal "lithium grease" on the buffer spring and buffer. He's kind of the Dean of Gunsmithing, so his advice is important. What are your thoughts?

Click to expand...

My thoughts are that he's trying to sell you liberal amounts of lithium grease.

Indeed. Watch Larry Potterfield's video on how to build your AR lower and count how many gunsmith tools he uses and recommends.

Per the Army's manual- "A film barely visible to the eye".

I don't like the idea of grease because it traps grit and debris and doesn't protect against rust any better than a light coat of oil.

The US Army knows about these things. I think I will apply "a film barely visible to the eye."