Lubricating BP Revolvers

[oldwheat]

I use synthetic oil (Mobile 1) on all of my non-black powder guns but have been a little concerned about it gumming up like petroleum oils with BP. Are my fears unfounded?

 

[scrat]

Well. I used some petroleum by products once. You know just had to see what would happen. Ya lets just say thats the last time that will ever happen. It does gum up the works and lowers accuracy and performance.

 

[Hellgate]

It is my opinion and observation that the petroleum based lubes work fine to lube the GUN but NOT the BULLET. Smokeless type lubes do not keep the fouling soft enough for the bore to stay reasonably clean, especialy for rifles. I still use a variety of over ball lubes: GOOP (mechanics lanolin based hand cleaner) when it's cold, 1:3 beeswax/olive oil when it's cool out, and cheapo automotive grease most every time 'cause it stays soft regardless of the temp. I've used bore butter & crisco shortening in the past but they melt out in hot weather. I've also used AMS/OIL synthetic grease but can't really tell the difference from cheap tubs of grease. However on the bullets I use 50/50 beeswax/lard or in a lube wad under the ball. Also, a lot of smokless designed bullets dow not carry enough lube for real BP so they run short before the end of the barrel. I've used grease cookies or beeswax sheeting under the bullets but accuracy went to he11.

 

[Shultzhaus]

I have been using vasilene on the internals for sometime, and have no ill effects. It washes off easily with the hot water clean up. Someone mentioned graphite for internals. I think I will give that a try just because it never hurts to learn new things.

 

[PRM]

Scrats dead on with the graphite for internals. Outside of the gun, my preference is Gibbs Brand Lubricant. Been using it for about five years not. Not heavy petroleum based - great stuff. I have had no problems with rust since I started using it. Makes a great oil cloth - saturate a piece of flannel cloth with it - let it dry a day or two - then use it to wipe down your guns. The base evaporates and leaves the cloth permeated with the product.

gibbsbrandlubricant.com

I have a friend who teaches LEO firearms instructors. He had some SIMS guns (training guns) locked in the trunk of his car. It rained and the trunk leaked. The guns that had Gibbs on them were fine - all the others had rust.