Gun oil or grease?

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lefteye42

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Looking for wisdom on proper lube for semi auto (Sig & Kahr) handguns.
I just need to know basic guidelines for when
to use gun oil or when gun grease is best (what lube on what parts).
Appreciate advice.
 
Mark_Mark said:
rule of thumb: grease for moving parts, oil for rubbing parts
Click to expand...
I thought so too, however, Sig changed their recommendation, several times, from grease to Lucas extreme duty oil. I’ve also heard if it slides, grease it, if it rolls, oil it. This was on a P226, and then they have their own branded products now. I have a large bottle of the Lucas oil and it seems to work fine. Good luck.
 
lordpaxman said:
I thought so too, however, Sig changed their recommendation, several times, from grease to Lucas extreme duty oil. I’ve also heard if it slides, grease it, if it rolls, oil it. This was on a P226, and then they have their own branded products now. I have a large bottle of the Lucas oil and it seems to work fine. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Do like I do, spray it down with Rem oil, shake it, slide it, then wipe it. I don’t think the gun cares how you do it
 
Just don't run guns dry.

Yes, grease is better suited to some applications. I almost exclusively run oil now, Slip 2000 EWL or Lucas X-Treme. I do have grease (Berry Hills, Slide-Glide, Lucas, TW25B, Shooters Choice, Wilson, I just don't have guns that need it much, mostly on bolts for rifles. Son has the Garand now. I used to grease sear/hammer connections, but just oil them now, oil is better and stays put better than years past IMHO.

I have oiled guns with all kinds of oils, including Yamaha racing oil.
 
I think a lot of people way over lubbricate most guns. The only place I have ever used grease on a gun is the locking lugs on my bolt guns. A very lite film of oil on parts that is wiped on with a cloth is enough. I use products mostly to prevent rust because these southern summers are wet.
 
I use Ultima Lube II grease from Wilson combat when I want the lubricant to stay in place. It has a great temperature range and slickens up my toggle assembly in my Model 1873 357 magnum sporter (Winchester). I also use Aerokroil and Ballistol as cleaners /lubricants. Any clear wear surface should be treated. I also clean my guns after firing so accumulation of debris does not work with any lubricant to create a wear condition.
 
as an example, I'm pretty sure like most people I was way over oiling pistols, now I put 2 drops of gun oil on a patch, and wipe that on all the rails and places it moves for a semi-auto. I find that is enough oil. you can kind of feel with the slide by racking when they are a touch dry, but - once their is enough oil, they don't cycle any easier with more in my limited experience.
 
I'll use a common gun oil like Breakfree CLP synthetic sparingly in pivot points. A little more where the barrel and slide ride against each other. A drop in the sear action area in the frame. Oil or grease in the rails. Nothing in the striker channel or nearby where oil could get in the channel.

After cleaning and oiling after shooting, or after a month or so of carry, I'll wipe down the exterior with an oily rag I keep in a plastic bag. This gets the controls, extractor, mag catch, etc.
 
:eek:This topic come up every other week or so.

What does the owners manual state?

How many modern gun companies call for grease???

LIGHT LUBRICATION

Neither Sig nor Kahr or anyone else I know of call for Grease.

Now the AR 15 guys will chime in and say "she needs to run wet" or some other BS.
1911 guys will chime in grease the rails.

Then the debate on the "best" gun lube will follow.:eek:

Just use something, any kind of oil, just use it.

Frog Lube is coconut oil. Ballistoil is Mineral oil

https://www.sigsauer.com/owners-manuals

https://www.kahr.com/PDF/kahrmanual.pdf
 
Light machine oil, 75W-140, and on occasion, synthetic 'gun' grease are about all I use.
As it's always warm here, the 75w-140 doesn't get gummy, Doesn't take much, and it doesn't have to be expensive either.
 
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IIRC; the only gun I remember that recommends grease is an M1 Garand. White lithium/Lubriplate grease on the Op Rod rails, bolt slots, area in barrel/receiver engaging the bolt. Mainly the heavy wear areas in the receiver. My guns are cleaned often enough to use just about any light oil except WD40. Early in my shooting I used 3-in1. My air guns all get a silicone based oil mainly because of synthetic seals, but I have Hoppes, Ballistol, and Lucas Extreme, mainly for the applicator, and probably a couple more...
 
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I use oil almost exclusively on my guns. Exceptions would be the mainsprings in my 1911's, but the slide rails still get oil. I do prefer a good synthetic gun oil, but will use whatever is available if the gun gets dry while shooting. When this happens, I will reapply a gun oil after the next cleaning session.

chris
 
I use Aeroshell 33MS on my slides on my pistols. Zero function issues, and I shoot in temps at 0 and below in WI
I use Castrol synthetic 10w30 for anything I need to oil

The only time I dont use those? When its a really nice wood stock, and then I use Ballistol
 
As has been said - grease sliding parts and oil pivoting/rotating parts (hammer, trigger levers etc).

I like Tetra Gun Grease. My pistol rails get that. I like CLP (Breakfree) for pivot points, but nearly anything will work that is gun specific.

Of the 3 armorer schools I've been to (Sig, Colt Remington) they have always said use a firearms specific lubricant and solvent. Sig will hawk their blue grease and Remington will try to push RemOil. in class and in real life I've seen all kinds of stuff. Tranny fluid, Kroil, 3 in 1, oil off a dipstick etc. Just keep 'em going is what counts.
 
1911s are just like a Harley - got to be dripping in oil (or just dripping oil) :).

Ok, seriously, so I use Mobile One synthetic red grease on sliding parts (no molybdenum), pistol locking lugs, and barrel bushings and Mobile One 10-30w synthetic for moving parts. Wipe on, wipe off grasshopper. Hell, I use 90w Mobile on my MEC (MEC's seriously akin to a Harley anyway)!

I've kept Kellube M12 around for years. LOVE the thin tube applicator and the product. I buy a bunch of bottles and hand 'em out to buddies.

Anyone see Lucas extreme gun oil on a shelf? What do you think their major business is? OIL and gas cracking! :neener: If you're around WYO you'll probably run across Lucas oil sites.

Next time you empty a plunger tube of your favorite grease, take your grease gun and fill it up w/ Mobile One red. My Guerini shotguns love the stuff. Little dab will do ya.

I think you need the pressure protection found in the grease and the shear protection found in the oil. Not that gun oils don't have of that. I've used everything under the sun, and none of it has failed.

But, if it's good enough for your wheel bearings, it'll work in your firearms.
 
NMexJim said:
1911s are just like a Harley - got to be dripping in oil (or just dripping oil) :).

Ok, seriously, so I use Mobile One synthetic red grease on sliding parts (no molybdenum), pistol locking lugs, and barrel bushings and Mobile One 10-30w synthetic for moving parts. Wipe on, wipe off grasshopper. Hell, I use 90w Mobile on my MEC (MEC's seriously akin to a Harley anyway)!

I've kept Kellube M12 around for years. LOVE the thin tube applicator and the product. I buy a bunch of bottles and hand 'em out to buddies.

Anyone see Lucas extreme gun oil on a shelf? What do you think their major business is? OIL and gas cracking! :neener: If you're around WYO you'll probably run across Lucas oil sites.

Next time you empty a plunger tube of your favorite grease, take your grease gun and fill it up w/ Mobile One red. My Guerini shotguns love the stuff. Little dab will do ya.

I think you need the pressure protection found in the grease and the shear protection found in the oil. Not that gun oils don't have of that. I've used everything under the sun, and none of it has failed.

But, if it's good enough for your wheel bearings, it'll work in your firearms.
Click to expand...
Good Dang ooh Why? 1911 are Old Peoples Guns! Always need maintenance
 
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