How often do you re-lub your guns?

[TomJ]

I hope this doesn't fall into the dumb question category. I use Hoppes #9 lubricant for my guns. If they've been sitting in my safe for a while, at what point should I re-lube them prior to shooting them?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Depends on the gun..

 

[TomJ]

Springfields, Sigs and Glocks.

 

[CapnMac]

Technically, Hoppe's #9 is a powder solvent, not a lube.

I happen to use Tetra as a lube--it's a formulation of teflon in a suspension. I like it a just a tad better than CLP. I have late uncle who used nothing but 3-in-1, but I find the viscosity a tad too high for my taste.

As to frequency, really, "as needed" probably says it best. If I find something that feels sticky or not slick enough, it gets lubed.

 

[TomJ]

Technically, Hoppe's #9 is a powder solvent, not a lube.

I happen to use Tetra as a lube--it's a formulation of teflon in a suspension. I like it a just a tad better than CLP. I have late uncle who used nothing but 3-in-1, but I find the viscosity a tad too high for my taste.

As to frequency, really, "as needed" probably says it best. If I find something that feels sticky or not slick enough, it gets lubed.

Hoppes also makes a lubricant, which is what I've been using.

 

[Wishoot]

Mine are cleaned and lubed after every range trip. I've been using either Mobile 1 synthetic oil OR Ballistol. There really hasn't been a need to re-lube anything. Even if it's been unused for a while.

 

[JTQ]

If they've been sitting in my safe for a while, at what point should I re-lube them prior to shooting them?

I think if your concern is, "will my gun work if I need it in an emergency if it hasn't been lubed in X amount of time"? I think you could go almost forever (provided you haven't used some odd lube that caused some problem) without adding lube and shoot a few mags worth without any problem even with relative lube hogs like SIG P-Series, Beretta 92, or 1911's.

On the other hand, if I were going to the range to shoot a few hundred rounds through a gun that has sat for a few months without any lube or care, I'd probably put some more lube on it before I went to shoot. Of course I'd also bring some lube with me and most likely add more lube during the course of shooting.

 

[entropy]

Light lube with the lube of your choice should be sufficient. Like JTQ, I bring a bottle of lube with me (BreakFree CLP) in my range bag, and apply a little to my 1911 after a few mags.
When reassembling, I put a very small amount of TW-25B on the rails on my autos, as well as light CLP. The TW-25B will stay put no matter what, even after the CLP dries up.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Tom, most lubes made today are very good and I'm sure Hoppe's is good. Their T3 oil contains synthetic lube that will not evaporate over time so there is no need to apply more lube before you shoot your guns.

I clean my handguns after every range trip. Not every one does but I do. I apply lube after cleaning and don't use more until I clean the gun again. Don't use excessive amounts if lube, a little goes a long way. I usually apply lube and wipe off the excess with a clean rag leaving only a very thin coating.

 

[BSA1]

I hope this doesn't fall into the dumb question category. I use Hoppes #9 lubricant for my guns. If they've been sitting in my safe for a while, at what point should I re-lube them prior to shooting them?

How often? Everytime I clean them. Which is usually once year.

Springfields, Sigs and Glocks.

The products I use Tetra Gun Grease and Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil. Grease goes on what slides, oil on what pivots.

With Tetra-Gun Grease I apply a thin layer of grease on the slide rails making sure that the outside top edge of the frame rail has grease on it where it contacts the inside of the frame rail cutout.

I apply a thin amount of grease on the inside of the frame and frame where locking block and lugs touches the frame and slide.

Tetra grease stays put and does not run off like oil.

I apply a few small drops of Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil on the trigger and hammer pins. The motor oil is free. I drain the last few drops of oil from the container after I change the oil in my vehicles.

I don't get any grease and oil on me from splatter when shooting it.

I’m not kidding about once a year cleaning. With non-corrosive primers and powder rust between cleanings is not a concern.

 

[Ironicaintit]

When going to the range with a piece that has sat for a while, I'll give it a once over (bore clear?), and if it seems like it may be on the dry side...I lube it.

 

[Sunray]

Hoppe's #9 is a brand name.
Hoppe's #9 lubricant is oil. Oil, any oil, will run off under gravity. Grease is what you need for mating moving parts like slides and frames. Powdered graphite in cold weather and for polymer frames. Just don't get graphite on you. Messy stuff. Washes right off, but not on carpets and such.

 

[Mainsail]

DuPont Krytox- it doesn't come off.

 

[CapnMac]

Hoppes also makes a lubricant

Which only goes to show how reflexive my use of Tetra is--had not even noticed that they had a branded lube to go with their solvent.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I wipe mine down 2x a year even if I'm not shooting them. Not a full 'oil change' just making sure nothing is rusting. Wipe em down , work the action etc.

 

[TomJ]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll re-lube as necessary and I'm going to look into some of the products mentioned.

 

[cfullgraf]

My guns get lubricated every time I clean them which is after I shoot them a time or two or definitely before they are put up for a longer period of time.

I have found that some lubricants evaporate over time, so a firearm that has been stored for a while, I check the lubricant and probably re-lubricate it before it is used.

 

[SC Shooter]

If it is one of my range guns and it has sat in the safe for quite awhile, I will give it a quick lube of light oil before I head to the range. If it is one of my hunting rifles that hasn't come out of the safe since last season, I will do a more thorough lubrication.

 

[Zebraranger]

It really depends on the conditions of where you store them (humidity levels) that determines how often I pull them out of the safe and clean and wipe them down. I always clean & lube them after every range session or use. Because I keep the humidity levels at optimum conditions, the ones that sit in the safe more often than being used usually get the oil wipe down service about every 6 to 8 months or so, sometimes even longer. Been doing this for many years and I've never had a problem with rust or corrosion.

 

[larryh1108]

I wipe mine down 2x a year even if I'm not shooting them. Not a full 'oil change' just making sure nothing is rusting. Wipe em down , work the action etc.

^^ This.
I check my guns 2x a year and relube, if necessary. A quick wipe down to prevent rust and beck they go. A visual check for rust is good to do on a regular basis.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Humidity control is the key to long term storage and preventing rust. I keep hygrometers in my safe and other storage areas so I monitor humidity levels....That's not to say that you can't live in a swamp and not have a rusty gun. You can. You just have to be more vigilant with oiling or greasing.

 

[sbwaters]

Lube oil OR grease? Lube oil AND grease?

For my 1911 I have:
Slip 2000 Extreme Weapons grease that is easy to apply and stays there (Use it on my AR15)
Ultima-Lube II Universal Lube oil.

I clean with Ballistol or CLP then lube. Deciding what to use, I like the grease on the rails because it stays there. I like the oil on the barrel because it spreads easily. Should I settle on one or the other?

 

[GRIZ22]

Depends on the gun and the lube.

For the most part the gun gets relubed after its cleaned or taken out of storage. For example:

1. Old Break Free on most guns. The vehicle evaporates but the PTFE remains on the surface.

2. Dri Slide on AR innards. The vehicle evaporates quickly after application. The molydenum disulfide stays forever.

3. Mobil 1 grease on Garands. Doesn't harden doesn't degrade (at least over several years).

Using what I use, my guns reliably function with no relube after being in storage. I don't glob lubricant all over them. As I said I relube a carry gun when I take it out of storage and maybe once a month if I've been carrying it and haven't shot it (not a likely scenario).

 

[DMK]

I found that my guns used to get pretty dry of lube after sitting a long while. I've started using a light film of Lubriplate grease on the rails and outside of the barrels of all my semiautos. This stays put a lot longer and I live in the south so no sub zero temperatures here.

With my carry guns, I take them to the range in as-is condition and shoot my carry mags (usually two or three) through them to verify that they will work in go-to condition and shoot up old hollowpoint ammo. Then I remove the slide and lube the rails and barrel to prevent galling during a long term range session (no use abusing the gun to prove a point).

If it's just a C&R or range gun sitting in the safe, I'll lube it the night before a trip to the range.

 

[JTQ]

Lube oil OR grease? Lube oil AND grease?

Should I settle on one or the other?

Lots of folks use grease. However, I've seen comments from a lot of gunsmiths that recommend to never use grease on a handgun.

If you look at Wilson's information for their Ultima Lube II they say the following for their grease, which by the way is a pourable grease ...

Ultima-Lube II Grease - Ideal for heavy wear areas. Stays put under extreme conditions, 40° to 350° F temperature range. Recommended Uses: Full and Semi-Auto rifles and carbines, Optimal in AR style rifles at temperatures above 50° F.

They recommend their Ultima Lube II oils and Universal for handguns.

Note the first sentence in this Ultima Lube II grease video