slide rail lubrication: oil vs. grease

[Joe Demko]

I use white lithium grease on rails and lugs. Trigger mechanisms get a dry film lube. Oil elsewhere.

 

[mtngunr]

I work for the military, so CLP is plentiful, every gun part gets annointed with it...on self-loaders, I apply hi-temp moly wheel bearing grease (a can of which will last 5-10yrs) to parts subject to high loads, except cold weather...grease gets sticky at lower temps., slowing things down.....then, it's just CLP...our cold weather down here might be your fine spring day, FYI....

 

[FlyinBryan]

mobil 1 motor oil on every part of every weapon i own. 1911's, ar15's, rem1100's, 1022's, sks's, and a few more.

 

[skinewmexico]

I alternate between grease, and gun butter.

 

[pistolero6869]

Auto Lub

I use tetra oil and add tetra grease to the frame sections that the slide rides on very slick!

 

[riceboy72]

Ditto on using Tetra for the slide and barrel; FP10 for the internals. It's worked well for me for years.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Military artillary red grease. Mil-spec unknown as the label has worn off (wish I'd have written it down). Have had this can for many years. Does not harden or lump up. Seems to stay the same no matter what the temperature and does not melt or seperate.

I use Dexron III for the rest of the moving parts (I own Chevy's).

 

[Kipling79]

I agree with greasing heavy moving parts such as the slide.

I also wanted to do a little promoting for my old company .

If you guys go to your local IBT (industrial bearing and transmission) or any other industrial supply company (basically anyone with "bearing" in their name) you will come face to face with literal "lubricant experts" and they can get you anything you need for any application cheaper than any "name brand" stuff sold specifically for guns.

 

[doc2rn]

I have never had a problem with CLP, I use it on all my weapons.

Some guys like that high tech aerospace gun grease, but to me that seems like a good way to collect unburnt powder.

 

[jocko]

can't beat the TW25 IMO, stays put, doesn't run ...

 

[VA27]

I use a touch of STP on my 1911 slide. Works for me.

 

[JBP55]

Weapon Shield and TW25B.

 

[1SOW]

Routine Cleaning:
Every surface that gets hot from combustion or friction gets Militec.
I treat the rails, recoil spring and bbl with Militec. The rest gets rem-oil.
I clean the bbl with Hoppes#9 or Shooters Choice, dry it with patches then I apply a very small amount of Militec inside and out.
Rem-oil the rest sparingly.

I also think 5wt Mobil 1 (sparingly) is probably a good general option.


P.S. I often wonder if "Militec" and "Slick 50" contain the same active ingredients.

 

[tiger rag]

Who sells FP10?

 

[USMCDK]

I use "Tetra Gun Grease" works very well on my rails and it was actually reccomended to me by a certified gun smith and it hasn't had a problem. it works very well and doesn't seem to thin out even when in really hot weather and after shooting 400rds. I am convinced that it's one of the best lubes out there.

 

[dmazur]

Tetra grease on the rails and barrel bushing, Tetra oil on other moving parts (sparingly).

As an aside on cold-weather concerns, I believe it depends on how you carry. If you're uniformed (military or LEO) and you have it in some kind of duty rig, it probably gets darn cold. Depending on just how cold it is, even oil can be a problem.

However, if you are just an ordinary CCW citizen, you probably have it nice and warm in your IWB or pancake holster.

So, I wouldn't worry about grease on the rails getting stiff unless you have to allow the pistol to equalize with ambient temps, and they're below freezing.

(Ask a old-timey professional photographer...most used to have their 35mm cameras cleaned of oil before a cold-weather assignment, so the shutter speeds would be reliable. Not sure if digital cameras have the same problem, or a similar one from frozen batteries. )

 

[jon_in_wv]

I use Mobile 1 on most of my weapons but lately I've been using Weapon Shield. I really like that stuff.

I found that even a light coat of grease attracted much more dust and lint that a light coat of oil and I discontinued using it.

 

[Phydeaux642]

I use the grease that Wilson Combat sells.

 

[Crow1108]

Tetra grease on my Sig's slide raids. Tetra oil on my Kimber's. Tetra oil on both barrels.

 

[Youngster]

Both, Tetra grease and G96 oil mixed into a paste and applied with a paintbrush for the best of both worlds. I know you're not supposed to mix them but these two have never given me problems.

 

[Ivy Mike]

slide rails on my guns get some EZ Break copper grade anti-seize compound. Its an excellent lubricant that resists heat, stays where you put it and lasts a very long time.
Brush it on liberally, then wipe with a paper towel to leave just enough behind. Reapply as needed which doesn't happen too often.

If you've got a Discount Tire Co. or Americas Tire Co. nearby, head on down and ask one of the guys out back if they've got an almost empty bottle of the stuff. There is usually plenty in there for several years of use and you can probably get it for free.
The 'empty' 4oz jar of it I got 7 years ago when I worked there still has enough to keep my guns running smooth.

 

[j1979]

Ive been using Weapon Shield and really like it. Im gonna try some TW25B for the rails just for the heck of it.

 

[32winspl]

A 5 year old post re-ignited? You're kidding me!

 

[Longbow]

Am I the only guy left that uses Hoppe's #9 oil? What is this FP-10, and where can I get some?
Mikey D...

Five years later and still nobody answered this.
Here;
http://www.google.com/products?q=FP10+lube&hl=en

 

[stevereno1]

Grease on the rails, oil in the internals.