In Depth Study of Gun Lubricants?

[leadchucker]

The military did some studies we got CLP out of it.

And before that, the military did some studies we got LSA out of it, I would guess.

Still have a little three ounce bottle of that stuff. It stinks, but it works good.

 

[steven58]

Someone should come up with a 100 % synthetic high temp lube that's usable from say 300 F down to -40 F, has low volatility so it won't noticeably evaporate then add in a strong detergent package that will help dissolve carbon and keep it in suspension to aid cleaning. Hey, also add in zinc/phosphorus anti corrosion additives and make it just the right thickness to stay where you put it but still be able to flow a bit into the right nooks and crannies. And if this could be sold for say $8 to $10 a quart...

That would be something! No, that would be Mobil-1 V Twin 20-50 motorcycle oil

I've been using it in All of my guns for well over a decade. Autos, revolvers, bolts, over unders, rimfires to .375 H&H mag. My ARs have never run cleaner or smoother. And, the bolts stay wet longer than any other lube I have tried (other than Slip 2000 EWL). Price ain't bad either.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I use 10w30 steven. On the AR's, do you think that the 20/50 weight would be better? I just got an AR10 in 7mm.08 and the few (50 or so) rounds I have put down the tube, the bolt was still well lubed afterwards. But this was breaking in with low power loads and cleaning the barrel in between every 3rd shot. Didn't really heat her up. I do have a quart or 2 of it laying around for the Harley. If it would be better I'll give it a swing the next outing.

 

[RetDep310]

Someone should come up with a 100 % synthetic high temp lube that's usable from say 300 F down to -40 F, has low volatility so it won't noticeably evaporate then add in a strong detergent package that will help dissolve carbon and keep it in suspension to aid cleaning. Hey, also add in zinc/phosphorus anti corrosion additives and make it just the right thickness to stay where you put it but still be able to flow a bit into the right nooks and crannies. And if this could be sold for say $8 to $10 a quart...

That would be something! No, that would be Mobil-1 V Twin 20-50 motorcycle oil

I've been using it in All of my guns for well over a decade. Autos, revolvers, bolts, over unders, rimfires to .375 H&H mag. My ARs have never run cleaner or smoother. And, the bolts stay wet longer than any other lube I have tried (other than Slip 2000 EWL). Price ain't bad either.

Funny you should mention the Mobil 20-50. I was talking last month to a LEO friend in my town about my new AR-15. I asked him what he uses to lube his, and he advised his department uses a 2:1 mix of the Mobil V-Twin 20-50 and Mobil 1 full synthetic transmission fluid. Apparently the rifle instructors at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy use the same mix, and that it is supposedly similar to what the Navy Seals use. It looks alot like Lucas Gun Oil when mixed. Mixed me up a batch, and works great. Use it on all my guns now. I probably have enough to last my lifetime if I don't give some away. I mixed 2 quarts of the 20-50 to 1 quart of the transmission fluid. I would have had enough if I just mixed 1 qt of the 20-50 to a half-quart of the tranny fluid.

 

[steven58]

Freedom,
Either one should work fine. I use the V Twin because as a motorcycle oil it has the full additive package that the auto oil (for emissions purposes) does not. I'm no expert but I can say that from my experience duck hunting, deer hunting, AR carbine courses and pistol courses where i went through over 500 rounds in a day I have never had any issues with rust and there was no instances of a gun running dry due to lube burning off.

As far as storage, I have a couple of guns that tend to not get used much. Since using the V Twin I have never had an instance where I pull a rifle or handgun from the safe that I haven't had out in a year and the gun is dry. They always look as if I had just put them away.

Ret,
I've heard good things about the mix you are describing.

 

[BBDartCA]

0w30 motor oil seems hard to beat

 

[TXSWFAN]

I took an AR-15/M16 armorers course a few years ago and was turned on to Kanolabs products. The Kroil creeping oil is the best I've used to get things loosened up to remove.

http://www.kanolabs.com/

Slip 2000 is also another very good lubricant.
http://www.slip2000.com/

 

[PPS43]

I follow advice from Grant Gunningham.

 

[Carne Frio]

The Army approves this stuff for very cold weather weapons lube:
http://www.usarak.army.mil/publications/PDF_Pubs/USARAK_Regulations/Regulation 750-4.pdf
Currently -47F.......http://www.moanmyweather.com/?location=99703

 

[brickeyee]

0w30 motor oil seems hard to beat

But if you call it 'gun oil' and sell it in 2 oz bottles you can make a LOT more money.

 

[MEHavey]

I was (and still) a fan of BreakFree since the early 80's. But time and necessity changes all things -- many for the better.

This
http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/9862-weapon-shield-vs-break-free-clps-my-testing-extensive.html
has surpassed BreakFree and is now used on everything.

Google < "Weapons Shield" test rust > and run the references.

 

[Mk VII]

Another vote for LSA. You can get it for a few bucks in quart cans (9150-00-687-4241) that will last you up to World War Ten.

 

[BBDartCA]

But if you call it 'gun oil' and sell it in 2 oz bottles you can make a LOT more money.

you got to put a drop of red dye in it to really drive up the price