Military arms question

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Tinker

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I was listening to a local talk radio show this morning. The morning's subject was "what our soldiers need" in Iraq and Afganistan. Most said they sent thier loved ones (soldiers) the usual stuff like snacks, DVD's, toiletries, etc. One caller said his brother, stationed in Iraq, was begging for powdered graphite. Said it was used to lube weapons and that he needed as much as he could get.

Are modern military firearms lubed with this stuff? I'm not military so this is news to me. I wonder why the guys there aren't supplyied graphite by the government if they need it?
 
Graphite is a dry lubricant as opposed to oils which are wet. I've heard the military prefers dry lubricant in dusty places(Iraq) because it doesn't attract crud like oil does.
 
It has lots of uses....

We used it in the USN, so it is in the military supply system. Maybe some folks can't get as much as they want. It's cheap...send them some. :)
pr-locksmiths-accessories-graphite-1gg.jpg :
 
Mark,

That makes sense. I know you can use is to lube locks. Guess it would work in a receiver.

HKMP,

If I was to send it or anything else over, what kind of channels do I go through to do it I've heard you can't send any care packages unless you are family.
 
How would a person go about sending some over? I live on a farm and have 1 or 2 quart sized bottles from a old corn planter (the new one dont need it), and might pick up some more of it at the local Co-Op next time I am there too.
 
Tinker--- My family sent a package to the son of our friends (he's also a friend of my son) who's a Marine over in Iraq. We are not family, just friends and he got everything fine. Didn't send him any weapons stuff---I figured they're not supposed to put anything in their weapons but what they are issued---at least at his level.

The stuff he liked best amongst the stuff we sent was beef jerky (doesn't go bad, can stuff in your pocket, nice break from MRE's) and, gun mags! Sent over a couple of my American Rifleman's, and a couple of SOF's I bought at the newstand.

There is a thread hereabouts that has good input about what is useful to send "over there"---that's where I got the beef jerky idea---from guys who (at least so they say, it's the Internet, who knows?) where there.

I'm going to put togehter anothe package soon with Gatorade packets, Skoal-type tobacco chew (our friend doesn't indulge, but it's good trading with the southern boys) and MORE GUN MAGS!

One last thing, our young friend did mention that many of the guys over there, for whatever reason, don't get much of anything sent by anybody, and asked us to include in any future packages some notes to "any and all" thanking and encouraging them in their difficult and thankless work.
 
A friend of mine fought in the advance out of the Chosin reservoir. He said that pencils were in short supply because they were using them to lube rifles.

Ty
 
Fudgie,
"
...our young friend did mention that many of the guys over there, for whatever reason, don't get much of anything sent by anybody..."

Now that is a damn shame. Must really suck. Being over there, serving your country, and nobody back home giving a frigging rip.

I thought about that very situation last week after hearing this new country song called "Letters from Home". There are folks (like me) who don't have any friends or family to send to there who'd like to pen-pal with a soldier. Especially one that gets "nothing".

Seems the Defence Dept could monitor who gets little or nothing mail-wize and hook them up with some folks like me. Seems that would help with morale.

Seeing how you have experience with mailing over there, who much postage is required to send a letter?

Could you have your friend's son route me a name and mailing address of one of these boys in his outfit that get little or no mail? My email is [email protected]
 
Tinker, the lack of packages could be due to some news outlets broadcasting that packages were not welcomed by the military.

I don't know how that started but I've heard it several times over the last year from various media's. :uhoh: :confused:

On the lube business, there used to be a product called "Dri-Slide" years ago, and it was a friendly graphite base. It was very popular with firearms people in the 1980's.
If it's still made it would be ideal for the dry, dirty conditions of the Middle East.
 
Tinker: I will certainly pass on your request with my next outgoing package. I appreciate your sentiment and willingness to help out with morale.

Fortuneatly for our young friend, he's got three sisters, his parents and plenty of family friends who DO care enough to be constantly sending stuff over. His buddies must wonder who he knows, with all the stuff he gets.

It took about three weeks for our package to get to him. What was cool was that he CALLED our home to thank us! It was during the weekday, so my wife took the call---she was so suprised she could barely talk.
 
My buds over there have been bugging the heck out of me to send more gatorade powder. They go through that stuff FAST. I'm heading over to Sams this weekend to pick up another batch.
 
On the lube business, there used to be a product called "Dri-Slide" years ago, and it was a friendly graphite base.
Click to expand...

Dri-Slide was a molybedenum disulfide-based lubricant. I'm not into chemistry, so I don't know if that's a graphite based compound. I remember seeing it as late as 1995 or 1996, so it might still be around.

Gatorade is good, so is jerky, magazines, and other stuff. Dip and smokes are good, too. Reading materials (don't send "Playboy", tho- you'll end up getting someone in trouble if it's found....).

I was there last year, and the biggest problem with the packages from home was the contraband stuff. The packages are subject to inspection, and I don't know what the criteria is for that, but I know that the customs guys found stuff that specifically isn't allowed (mostly booze and porno).

ANM
 
The following is from a Marine Staff Sergeant recently sent over.

The dust here gets into everything, even into you underwear while your wearing them, and sitting down. CLP attracts it like a magnet and once it starts collecting it turns into mud, you would be amazed what the weapons look like after that, and are thankful you didn't have to fire them. Highly recommend LSA, because it dries to a solid film and doesn't collect the dust, and when the weapon is fired, the heat melts it down for the extra lubrication. So far I haven't seen it melt just from the air temperature, but it isn't hot yet.

The same lube strategy goes for the M-16 and M9. On the note of the TO weapons, get rid of the issue M9 holster and get a tactical leg holster with mag storage on it. The Mollie vest and LBV place the holster to high and it is awkward to draw it out with the flack and Sappi inserts on. Also swap out the issue lanyard for one that resemble a phone cord, less snag and great mobility with the weapon. On the M16, I have heard good things from the Marines about the Tactical sling, as well as the buttstock magazine pouch.

TC
TFL Survivor
 
All,

Thanks for the info. I heard that the sand there isn't like beach sand. Just didn't think it could be that bad.

pitts,

Thanks for the links.
 
Dri-Slide

I'm not sure if 'Dry-Slide' is still available but that is only one brand of graphite spray. AFAIK, the same product is still around under other various brand-names. An auto parts or hardware store should be able to get graphite spray. I've used both Dry-Slide spray and powder. I prefer the power. The spray gives off a very unpleasent smell and I believe that the fumes are toxic. I wouldn't want to use it in a hot tent ...
 
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