Does anyone use graphite to lube firearms?

[jlbraun]

Which ones?

I gave it a try with my Marlin 60 and it's running fine - I got tired of cleaning out the gunk that accumulated when I lubed it with lithium grease.

Anyone use it on a pistol or revolver? What about an AK? An AR? A bolt-action?

 

[crushbup]

I've used it on other things, but it never occurred to me to use it on guns. I'd think that it might be easier to use on guns with fewer moving parts, though.

 

[Bwana John]

I have used anhydrous graphite for hunting rifles in tempertures less than 20 f, it keeps the action from getting gummy at these temps.

 

[benEzra]

NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER use graphite on an AR, or any other gun with an aluminum receiver or other parts.

Graphite eats aluminum, via corrosion, if the humidity is high or it gets moisture in there.

 

[scrat]

I use it. Mostly in my black powder guns. works great in the action. Does not build up any powder residue. This occurs when using regular lube.

 

[Caimlas]

I've got a buddy who swears by graphite on his firearms. I know for certain he uses it on his H&K pistols and SKSs. He uses some sort of fine non-liquid silicon/high-temp polymer on his AR, I think.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Graphite offers no corrosion resistance.

 

[cracked butt]

Graphite is pretty much the same gunk I'm getting out of the gun when I clean out powder residue, I don't see myself pouring that crap into a clean firearm.

 

[the naked prophet]

Graphite is also abrasive. It is okay for things like the Pinewood Derby axles, but for guns, no.

 

[Lupinus]

No, because it's a horrible lube.

It can be corrosive, if it's not it still doesn't protect against corrosion, and it's abrasive.

 

[Kentak]

I think it's a poor lube for guns. It's sort of an old-school, low tech dry lube. I remember it mostly as a lock and hinge lube in which the graphite particles are suspended in a petroleum vehicle that evaporates and leaves a dry film of graphite. Apparently it's lube properties depend on the fact a water film forms between the plate-like particles of graphite.

From Wiki:

The use of graphite is limited by its tendency to facilitate pitting corrosion in some stainless steels, and to promote galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals (due to its electrical conductivity). It is also corrosive to aluminium in presence of moisture. For this reason, the US Air Force banned its use as a lubricant in aluminium aircraft [4], and discouraged its use in aluminium-containing automatic weapons [5]. Even graphite pencil marks on aluminium parts may facilitate corrosion

 

[Golden Hound]

Graphite is also abrasive. It is okay for things like the Pinewood Derby axles, but for guns, no.

Haha...that's the only thing I can EVER remember using graphite as a lube on, back in Cub Scouts. Funny you should mention it.

 

[cracked butt]

Haha...that's the only thing I can EVER remember using graphite as a lube on, back in Cub Scouts. Funny you should mention it.

Ditto that.

 

[KC&97TA]

Posts: 3,692 NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER use graphite on an AR, or any other gun with an aluminum receiver or other parts.

Graphite eats aluminum, via corrosion, if the humidity is high or it gets moisture in there.

I'll put personal experince on this, I used graphite on my M16A4 in OIF II, I'll never use it again on any weapon, I had a polished bolt carrier half way through the deployment, that was a total nightmare too keep rust off... the rifle still shot true though. Ever get an eye full of CLP? Graphite is worse. In OIF III, I got my hands on some TR-25, I'm told it's the synthetic stuff they use on the helicopter guns, it's great stuff, I use it on my personal weapons I like it so much, apply when hot, shoot and wipe off, it stays on for a long time. I've been useing TR-25 for 3 years now.

 

[Cannonball888]

Beta-C mags come with two tubes of graphite lube. Instructions are to apply to the follower dummy rounds which are aluminum.

 

[xsquidgator]

I think it's a poor lube for guns. It's sort of an old-school, low tech dry lube. I remember it mostly as a lock and hinge lube in which the graphite particles are suspended in a petroleum vehicle that evaporates and leaves a dry film of graphite. Apparently it's lube properties depend on the fact a water film forms between the plate-like particles of graphite.

That stuff rocks for nuclear valve caps (as in nuclear power plants, in the Navy it was called "neo-lube", glad I read here first about its corrosive effects on Al before slicking up a firearm with it!

 

[ImARugerFan]

Dri lube sounds like a better idea. Doesn't attract grime, yet safe for guns.