Relative Merits of Militec-1 and CLP?

[Confederate]

What do you use on your firearms and why?

The relative merits of Militec-1 is that while it offers no protection against rust or corrosion (apparently), it's an excellent lubricant that doesn't attract dust and grit. CLPs (BreakFree and others), on the other hand, offer both lubrication and protection from moisture and salts and oils in the human skin.

The folks at Militec-1 inform me that the sand and grit in the desert requires that soldiers break down and clean their weapons more often in order to prevent malfunctions and that because of the dryness of the desert, dry lubricants like Militec-1 are ultimately better to use and that they enhance reliability. Militec-1's website, noting MG Nadeau's official endorsement of CLP products, goes on to quote him as saying: “Even if the manual says you should clean your weapon twice a day, if you’ve got time, clean it four times a day, if you’ve got more time, clean it eight times a day because the one time you didn’t clean it may be the time it jams.”

After saying this, Nadeau opposes the use of Militec-1 (which would eliminate the necessity to clean weapons several times a day). But that's another story.

My question is this: Given the relative merits of each, which do you prefer? (My own view is that since I own stainless firearms exclusively, Militec-1 is a better lubricant for me. The only thing I wonder about is the necessity of "treating" the steel with heat, either in an over or using a blow dryer. How necessary is that?)

If I carried a gun all day that was blued, and I used it in a humid environ, then I'd most likely want to use BreakFree. Although it is a fine protector and lubricator, it's a terrible cleaner, coming in as barely adequate.

Does anyone have anything to add by way of personal experience? Does either lubricant have a shelf life and is either affected by light or heat?


-----
Oh, and does anyone use Militec-1 in a vehicle?

 

[Chicken-Farmer]

I exclusively use Militec-1 for all my firearms

I received several free samples from the company 5 years ago through their military program. I have since purchased a 32 oz bottle of the product. I was instantly impressed with both their liquid lubricant and grease. In fact i still have a couple dabs of the grease left that i use for my M1 Garand.
I disagree that Militec-1 doesn't provide corrosion resistance. I live on an island in Alaska and hunt in wet conditions all year long. As stated above i use Militec-1 exclusively as a lubricant and preservative. I have not experienced any rust problems while using the product. Militec-1 has to be "seasoned" much like an old cast iron frying pan. Once the initial application is applied and the firearm heats up through shooting, the lubricant penetrates deeper into the pores of the metal. I like the fact that the lubricant, once applied, is dry and doesn't attract dirt and grime. Prior to Militec-1 i was a tried and true believer in CLP lubricant. Militec-1 just flat out works better and continues to work even after the firearm heats up with use.

Chicken-Farmer

 

[Noxx]

I bought the hype, bought the product, tried it, got over it.

Truth is, I end up using Eezox for just about everything, and everything works fine. Where grease is required I use Mobil, and none of my guns are rusty jam-buckets without the latest greatest gun goo.

 

[ScareyH22A]

I have no idea about Militec-1 because I've never tried it but I've tried a ton of dry lube for motorcycles and bicycles.

They obviously don't attract dirt and dust as much but they still do more than you expect. But most importantly, they need to be applied more often then conventional lubricants.

Again, I don't know about Militec-1 but in the motorcycle and bicycle world, dry lube is sort of like wax. It works but if it's worn through, it looses it's lubricating properties. But oil flows in and around components. I don't know if I explained that clearly.

And wax, as you know, is a pretty good lubricant while its clinged onto the surface.

BTW, motor oil has crap anti-rust properties. If you're gonna wear the gun on you or leave it in a higher humidity environment, I suggest using Eezox or CorrosionX. I love the smell of Hoppes 9 and CorrosionX

 

[presspuller]

I use both. Don't know that I can tell that much difference to tell you the truth.

 

[rcmodel]

I was not impressed.

Lube test:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=3948187&postcount=6

rc

 

[Confederate]

That test is a high speed test. I'm not sure how much it has to do with the real world use of firearms functioning. Most firearms cease to function reliably with little or no lubrication. They also cease to function properly with too much, or if it attracts too much grit and sand.

High load friction, such as that done in the tests, can't really relate to low load friction. Example: Vaseline did very well in the test, but it would be disastrous in firearms. Tests done in actual firearms are more impressive. Thus, in Iraq, soldiers' weapons remain more reliable when treated with Militec-1. They continue to function without attracting the grit and grime that finds its way into the mechanism with heavier lubes.

CLP, however, might be a far better choice if the soldier was, say, in Vietnam. Guns treated with BreakFree and subjected to salt spray resisted corrosion far more than guns treated with conventional oils.

Militec-1 is said also to be excellent when added to motor oil in the crankcase of a car. I'm sure many of you have heard the stories about draining the crankcases and seeing the engines continue to function.

Again, I have the luxury of being able to use guns that work well with CLP; however, I might feel differently if I used a 1911 pistol. I remember when stainless autos first made their appearance and the parts would bind. You needed something thick and stinky to keep the things working. As they improved their steels, the guns began functioning flawlessly (like my S&W 659 and 645). I checked downstairs yesterday and found some stainless steel lube, or I should say lube for stainless steel autos like the old AMTs and even the early S&W Model 60 revolvers.

I've also heard good things about WeaponShield, but in the end it's too much like BreakFree. It's a heavier liquid. Someone on another site said he got teflon accumulation after a lot of use with BreakFree, but I suspect he's using the stuff to clean his gun as well as lubricate it. BreakFree is an expensive cleaner and I use it only for lubrication and rust prevention.

A few years ago I had a Beretta 70S that kept rusting in one place, despite my precautions. Someone here mentioned it was a bit of a chronic problem with the 70S and that they all tended to rust at the same spot. I used leather saturated with BreakFree and I couldn't quite remove all of it. I subsequently had the gun hard chromed, one of the best decisions I ever made. But I was a bit disappointed that the great BreakFree wasn't able to get rid of that spot (out, out, damn spot!).

I've noticed that BreakFree has some white stuff that forms at the bottom. Don't know what this is, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. And keeping BreakFree and Militec-1 from leaking is difficult. After all, they're both designed to penetrate. Milispec-1 is lighter and not as likely to find its way over the bottle.

 

[alsaqr]

I've used Militec on my guns for more than 15 years. Some of my guns did not leave the safe for over three years while I worked overseas. Militec protected them well. Militec works for me.

 

[Mark whiz]

I've used Militec in all my arms for probably the last 10 years - at least off and on and have never had an issue with lack of lubrication or rust. It's good stuff - just a bit expensive to use exclusively.

Oh, and I have used it in car oil, motorcycle oil, and automatic transmissions all with good results. Gas mileage gains were small, but measureable and it had no adverse affects on the bike's wet clutch.

 

[Gun Slinger]

Neither.

Mobil 1 synthetic 20w50 VTWIN is my preferred firearms lubricant and has served me well for the last 14+ years.

 

[RP88]

I've used motor oil and CLP, and still do. I don't use Mobil 1 synthetic. I think it's pennzoil right now, but so far no problems.

I use the CLP only on my AR, but use the motor oil and Hoppes lube on my AK and other firearms.

 

[BhmBill]

Well....

My brother has a Suzuki TL1000R. He put some militec in it and it slowly sped up the idle about 200rpms over a few minutes of running.

I'd say it works. It's been great in my guns, cars, and bikes i've put it in. Had plenty of it on hand, my brother bought a case which was something like 24 bottles of Militec

 

[stubbicatt]

I've used them both.

I'm just a recreational shooter, so I don't have many of the environmental concerns that military guys do. My firearms reside in the gun case until the time I withdraw them, use them, and then re-case them, to be immediately cleaned and put in the safe when I get home. So I can't say how well these lube resist dust or grime.

I will say that the Militec leaves a film behind that remains even after cleaning. I like the stuff.

That said, nowadays I use Ballistol mostly.

 

[flor1]

Militec

Have used for the last 3 years and had excellent results with it. My son has used it through 2 tours of Iraq and already packed his for the third one swears by it convinced me.

 

[fastbolt]

A couple of the other instructors and I went in on a case of Militec-1 several years ago when it was relatively inexpensive.

Informal testing in semiauto handguns and semi & select-fire rifles & carbines seemed to show better functioning, longer, than when Break-Free was used. Cleaning also seemed to become easier with each session as fouling became easier to remove.

I still use it, but I also still use a number of different oil & synthetic grease lubricants offered for firearms usage. Just depends what's on the cleaning table, at the armorer's bench within easy reach or in my kit at the time. Sometimes other folks give me new products to try and sometimes I pick one up to try.

I also tried Eezox, FWIW, back when it was new. I called and asked the Eezox folks about it and had a nice chat with them. Friendly folks. I tried it and found that their claims seemed reasonably correct. One thing I didn't like about it, though, was how it could run and accumulate inside some revolvers when they were left stored in the safe for a long time. It became a thick viscous goo. I can't remember what happened to that can, and I haven't thought to pick up another one in the intervening years, but I wouldn't be adverse to having a can of it among the ones sitting at my bench.

Lots of good choices available when it comes to synthetic oils and greases nowadays. I remember using 3-in-ONE oil and regular 'gun oil' for many years as a young man, and I really appreciate the options available today.

 

[sm]

Breakfree CLP.

Too many years ago, Don Yoder sent me a sample of BF CLP, in a "cough syrup" bottle to use.
One of the environments I was in, included being around plating salts. If you read the history of CLP, one of Yoder's reasons for developing BF CLP was do to rust in settings where plating salts were used.


Miltec can go straight to hell.

This BS advertising about "troops are dying" is lower than a snakes belly.
Not to mention disrespectful to our Service Men & Women along with insulting the intelligence of folks - period.

This overpriced crap, was originally an additive, as the the fella was messing with chainsaws.
If memory serves, a chemist and mechanical engineer I was shooting and shooting the bull with, said it has chlorine.

Was it not chlorine that Ruger found to be the reason with some barrels having problems?
Another mfg also traced a problem back to chlorine too near a mfg area.

Don Yoder was always a gentleman to me, and appreciated feedback.
When the military trials were conducted, and his BF CLP was chosen, well, I was happy for him.

Yoder never said "troops are getting kilt" to sell his product.

Royco never did either, another CLP issued to Military.

Heck, I would like to have some LSA by Bray, and especially if I could find some quarts for $5 as some have around here.


Though I never served in the Military, I do not appreciate the BS advertising Militec uses.

 

[RyanM]

My question is this: Given the relative merits of each, which do you prefer? (My own view is that since I own stainless firearms exclusively, Militec-1 is a better lubricant for me. The only thing I wonder about is the necessity of "treating" the steel with heat, either in an over or using a blow dryer. How necessary is that?)

Really depends on the gun. Glocks are designed to be run relatively "dry," with literal drops of lubricant applied various places. The AR-15 is designed to be run "wet," with the bolt carrier group doused in LSA or CLP. A lot of people say that dry lubes in the desert aren't a good idea, since you just end up with dry grit in the action, whereas a sopping wet oily BCG will end up with something more like mud, if sand gets into it.

In any case, I'd say that if lubrication is your #1 concern, and your gun is designed to be run dry, use Militech. If rust protection is your #1 concern, use Eezox. If you want a compromise product which both lubes and protects well, and which is compatible with "wet" guns, CLP is the way to go.

Like for a Glock, Militech is probably the best. It's unlikely to ever rust, and it doesn't need much lube at all (also an issue considering the size of the bottles that stuff comes in).

 

[Average Joe]

I am not one to follow the crowd when a new and improved product comes along. I have been using CLP for years and it works. Use what you want, some people use all sorts of stuff like trans fluid, wd40, motor oil etc. I have had great success with CLP so that's what I use.

 

[AllAmerican]

I do not enjoy CLP. I am currently trying to use up a small supply of it I have. It smells realy bad. Like burnt motor oil to me.

I prefer Rem-oil over CLP. The militec stuff is good. IMO 3 in 1 is just as good.

 

[Gunther]

I have 75 Deputies and 150 Correctional Officers using Militech on Glock Pistols, Rem 870's and M16's and HK UMP's. They don't rust and they are well lubed with a minimum of amount of oil used. My Agency has been using Militech for 15 years with no problems. Personally I use Militech and Rem Oil. Just my 2 cents

 

[skeeter_08]

I use Militec oil and grease on every firearm I own, I also use FP-10 and Break-Free on occasion, but I am convinced that using the Militec grease on the bearing points of any firearm is the way to go. I won't shoot my P225, P220 and 1911 without Militec grease on all the friction points. And the hinge and barrel lugs on my Browning Citori XT Trapgun are still like new with no galling after 4 years of heavy use opening and closing the action, and Militec grease is the only lubricant I've used on it since it was new. - skeeter_08

 

[Confederate]

This overpriced crap, was originally an additive, as the the fella was messing with chainsaws. If memory serves, a chemist and mechanical engineer I was shooting and shooting the bull with, said it has chlorine.

Chlorine leeches out of most liquids quite readily. It leeches out of water, plus I don't think it has near enough chlorine to harm barrels, particularly if the barrels are stainless steel.

Admittedly, there's a lot of bunk in advertising, regardless of the product. I don't think the Militec-1 people ever said that American soldiers were being killed. I think their point was that if soldiers used Militec-1, they wouldn't need to clean their automatic rifles so often. That's a long way from suggesting that American soldiers, coughing up blood, are telling their comrades, "If only...I had used Militec-1 instead of...this...gunk!" The Militec-1 people believe in their product to such an extent that they provide it FREE to any active service member who requests it.

The discussion is not designed to be heated. It's just one designed to find out what is best. The bit about chlorine is just hearsay.

Speaking of being heated, to those who use Militec-1, does it always have to be heated by a blow dryer or in an oven? If so, it would certainly be a pain. There are many thick lubricants which, if put on the working parts of a revolver, for instance, kind of turns to wax. I learned this the hard way after pulling one out of my safe. It wouldn't work. It just locked up at the cylinder. I heated it up and applied some CLP and it's worked fine ever since. I'm wondering which will work in long term storage.

Defense Review quotes Militec-1 literature as saying: "Militec-1 protects metal surfaces with a constant impregnated molecular bond of synthetic-based hydrocarbon derivatives which will not change any tolerances inside or outside of weapons. MILITEC-1 works within the molecular structure and micropores of metal and non-metallic surfaces of weapons." This, it says, is "all basically a fancy-shmancy way of stating that Militech-1 impregnates the surface of the metal, rather than simply coating it, like traditional lubricants do. This results in a much longer lasting lubrication that can also withstand higher temperatures resulting from prolonged firing."

.

 

[Chicken-Farmer]

You don't have to heat Militec-1

You don't have to heat the product in any way. Heating is a way to "season" the metal. The theory is that when the metal is heated it expands and allows the product to penetrate deeper into the pores of the metal. Militec-1 works just as good cold as it does warm.

Chicken-Farmer

 

[RyanM]

This, it says, is "all basically a fancy-shmancy way of stating that Militech-1 impregnates the surface of the metal, rather than simply coating it, like traditional lubricants do. This results in a much longer lasting lubrication that can also withstand higher temperatures resulting from prolonged firing."

It's also a fancy schmancy way of saying that it's a wax rather than an oil, which is the reason for most of the properties. It's basically wax suspended in some kind of solvent. You apply heat to melt the wax, and it seeps into any "pores" and other imperfections in the metal, the solvent evaporates, and the wax is left behind. Something like that.

But like I said before, the AR-15 is designed to be run wet. Dry lubricants are likely to perform poorer, even in sandy environments. Less cleaning is bunk, too.

Dry lubes mean you end up with dry lube, dry sand, and dry fouling all through the action. Dousing the BCG in CLP means you end up with sand and fouling "mud," which the AR-15 tolerates much better.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

I use Break-Free CLP for everything, it is a very good general purpose chemical and it's nice to only have to buy ONE gun chemical. I emphasize "general purpose" in saying that it's good because there are many products out there that may lubricate better than CLP but offer little corrosion protection, some products that clean extremely well but do nothing else for the metal, etc. But Break-Free works well enough for me for cleaning, lubing, and rust protection. Hence it serves it's purpose.

That said, I do use synthetic auto tranny fluid for lube where good lube makes a difference, it stays wet on an AR bolt longer than CLP, and the synthetic stuff doesn't attract dust as bad as it's petroleum-based cousin.