AR lube Grease or ATF

[Ghostrider_23]

Recently I have been thinking that I need to clean my AR's that have been sitting in the safe for awhile so I am posting this thread.

I have heard that AR's need to run wet and standard lube is fine but AR's really need something more.

That something more comes down to 2 that keeps reappearing.

1. ATF fluid.

2. High temperature wheel bearing gease.

Of the two which one is better and why.

Is there another choice???

 

[taliv]

neither.

slip2000, militec, machine gunners' lube etc are really high quality and worth the $
old standards like LSA and CLP are also fine
in a pinch, just about anything wet

don't use grease unless you have a real good reason (e.g. possibly arctic climate?)

however, if you are prone to letting your rifles sit for extended periods of time, then you will want to focus on something with rust preventative properties as well, which some of those lubes do poorly. e.g. ime, mg' lube doesn't stop rust well at all

 

[browneu]

I use Wislon Combat Ultima Lube in everything. Its thick enough to stay in place and doesnt break down easily when hot.

 

[W.E.G.]

The whole "run it wet" thing is correct.

The gun will run better in adverse conditions if it has considerably more "wetness" than you are likely to want on a gun that is being stored - unless you don't mind the excess running all over your storage area.

For storage, use just enough to keep the rust away.
You can hose it down as needed at the range.

Break-Free has worked well for me for years.
Keeps fouling soft.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

i use tetra gun grease on the bearing surfaces of the carrier on the bolt i use tetra gun lube(thick oil) the idea of my carbine seizing due 2 cold weather does not sit well with me that's why i use this product,got some friends that go out in the midwest bird hunting one came back complaining his 1100 remmy froze up @ -5 i recommended tetra gun lube,came back this year with a smile on his face

 

[XM855]

I use Break-Free CLP now. Zero failures in the few thousand rounds I've put through it so far. It also has a pretty good rep for rust prevention:

http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

 

[HOLY DIVER]

xm855 clp is fine for the average shooter but if you run your rifle hard(carbine class etc.) use a better lube your carbine will thank you by not failing

 

[68wj]

Break-free for general cleaning/lubing/protecting. High temp grease on the cam pin, carrier bearing surfaces, and buffer/buffer spring. This is a minor experiment that I am running on a rifle. I am only 700 rds into it with no tear down cleaning, but so far it likes the combo.

 

[Al Thompson]

I've never seen an issue involving the lube specifically used, the issue was almost always failure to use lube. As Taliv mentions, some lubes are indeed better than others, but the main thing is to use lube.

 

[steven58]

Try a search for AR lube. Many threads on this subject.

I have used Mobil-1 V Twin 20-50 for the past 5 or so years. My ARs love it!

They stay "wet" for hundreds of rounds, function flawlessly and clean up easy.

I chose the V Twin due to it's stronger detergent / anti corrosion package than the auto versions.

I have used this oil on all of my guns (every type of small arm not full auto) and it works great.

Here's the product data sheet http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/NAUSENPVLMOMobil1_Motorcycle_Oils.aspx

 

[HOLY DIVER]

68wj i can go ahead and tell you your lube method is a good one...what do you lube the bolt lugs with?

 

[HOLY DIVER]

steven58 u got my attention because i can use then same lube in my Harley and AR i never thought of using mobil 1 v twin in my AR but u are right as far as oil goes that will hold EXTREME temps and not break down that's why i use it in my hog (its air cooled)and under normal conditions runs at a much higher operating temp than a water cooled engine

 

[Ghostrider_23]

James Yeager of Tactical Response

James Yeager of Tactical Response has a video on you tube and he recommends high temp wheel bearing grease.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXIsKEHo-4g

 

[taliv]

Mr. Yeager can recommend ambergris if he likes. It will still run better on oil.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

A spray of Rem Oil in the right places has yet to fail to work for me on my duty AR.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

lol u gonna have a hard time getting us all 2 agree on the best lube....and remember cleaning you rifle will never ever ever hurt it but not lubricating it will. i'm a fan of tetra gun lube is it the best heck i don't know but it has served me well if i were 2 go 2 another lube it would be slip2000 reason is it is proven. look up the article filthy14 in s.w.a.t. magazine 31,000 rds through a BCM AR lubed with slip2000

 

[arizona98tj]

About 6 months ago, I switched from Breakfree CLP (for lube) and started using Mobil-1 10W-30. It works well and doesn't vanish nearly as quickly as the CLP did after using it at the range. I can spend multiple days at a carbine course using the Mobil-1 and it looks better after several days use than the CLP did at the end of day one.

 

[Zerodefect]

I mix ATF and STP 50/50. Then I mix that with Mobile1 pink grease or Lucas Red&Tacky grease.

Works like a charm. Wipes clean usually no scrubbing. Deosn't evap much, and the STP leaves a sticky slick coating if it deos. Deosn't drip off, but should stay liquid. I clean and protect with CLP.

Alot of fancy gun lubes are just simple home-brews marked up 1000% by some gun brand.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

lol your prob right about the %1000 mark up

 

[Geno]

I started out by cleaning mine completely free of any lubricant. Then, I applied NECO Moly-Slide to all surfaces and moving parts. I followed that with a very light coating of oil. Good luck wearing off the Neco Moly. That stuff has some serious staying ability. Hint, use gloves when applying the Neco.

Geno

 

[Sky]

Another vote for Breakfree CLP. The Teflon it leaves behind both protects against rust and provide a slick surface for moving parts. The above posted test was pretty severe.

 

[Birddog1911]

I used CLP for years, many because of my time in the Corps. Now, I use nothing but Slip2000 for my ARs, and haven't settled on a grease for my M1A or 1911, though I'm using Tetra at the moment.

 

[Spec ops Grunt]

How does Ballistol work on AR's.

 

[FlyinBryan]

mobil 1 automotive engine oil, 30w i think.

grease on m1's and 1911 rails.

ar's need oil in my opinion.

 

[TonyAngel]

I've switched to Slip 2000 EWL as well. It doesn't evaporate or disappear like CLP does and it doesn't cook off. I can go a lot longer now than I used to be able to before needing to relube.

Still, lube is lube and everyone has their preferences. Really, lube does two things for firearms: it lubricates and it also provides a medium for the displacement of crud, which is going to include things like sand and dirt. This is why I really don't understand why anyone would put grease any place on their firearm. Grease does lubricate, but it does not help to displace anything. In fact, it holds stuff right where it is. Do you know what you get when you mix grease and sand? Something that is very similar to lapping compound.

Have any of you ever experienced wheel bearing/spindle failure because the seal went bad and dirt got in the bearing grease?