WASR AK-47: Oil, Grease, or ???

[strat81]

I picked up a CAI WASR-10 at the gun show this weekend. I'm in the process of cleaning off all of the cosmoline, gunk, puke, etc. The bolt and other misc. parts are soaking in mineral spirits as we speak. The action is a little rough when I cycle it. I know it will smooth out a bit over time, but I want to keep my commie piece of junk in good condition.

What should I lubricate the rails with? Plain old gun oil (rem-oil, hoppes oil)? CLP? Lithium grease? Wheel bearing grease? Anti-seize compound (like Glocks have)? The rifle will not be abused, tossed in the mud, or anything like that. The few posts I've found have opposing opinions - some say a light gun oil is fine, other recommend a little bit of grease. What do you all think?




Search terms: WASR WASR-10 Romanian AK AKM AK-47 lube lubricant lubricate grease oil rough rails

 

[Matt Dillon]

You will want to check for gas tube cant; that may be why it is a little rough when you cycle it.

 

[atomd]

I oil mine with a light coat of Rem-Oil. I have used CLP in the past also with good results. I just think the Rem-Oil seems to have better lubrication qualities. I don't like to use grease because it gets gunked up quicker imo. A little bit might be ok but I don't think there's really a need for it. The action will get a little bit better but chances are it will always be sort of rough. It's funny all the advice that goes around when it comes to AKs. Some people are under the impression that an ak is some sort of magic gun that they can mistreat...or even just treat differently than other guns. I just treat mine like any other gun and it works fine.

 

[jagdpanzer347]

I've become a big fan of synthetic chassis grease. Put a little on the receiver rails, and oil everything else, and you'll be fine.

-jagd

 

[KINGMAX]

I use synthetic Mobil One

I wipe my guns down about twice a year with 5w 30 Mobil One synthetic oil. I understand that the Mobil One will sorta bond to metal surfaces. Once you wipe it on, you will have a little on the weapon at all times. When I say wipe it on, just a light little bit. You don't want any extra. Just a touch.

After that, regular gun oil for cleaning.

 

[BADUNAME13]

OIL is for cleaning, GREASE is for lubing.

I now use red Lithium grease. ($3 a tub in the Automotive section of wallmart, in a blue and black 'peanut like' can)

I used to use white lithium grease till It was pointed out to me that the red stuff was for high temp.

It was the thing I used in all those classes.

My cleaning set up:
Rags,
Q tips
boresnakes, and a universal pullthrough
$1.14 a can 'Lubricant' blue and black spray can at wallmart
the red grease (It says High temp... the spanish say Rojas or whatever...)

My guns get hot... but no hoter than my car.

 

[Evil Monkey]

I didn't use any fancy "mineral spirits" or anything like that.

I just took an old shirt and wiped the parts down and left a little bit of cosmoline on surfaces that were going to produce friction.

But when I shot it for the first time, after 200rds the stuff started to boil and seep out of the rifle.

 

[strat81]

I didn't use any fancy "mineral spirits" or anything like that.

Mineral spirits are fancy? I'd better stock up!
Mineral spirits = paint thinner. Most garages and sheds in this country probably have a can of it. Use in a ventilated area.

And from what I've read, cosmoline is NOT to be used as a lubricant, just a rust inhibitor and headache causer for those who shoot guns.

 

[Evil Monkey]

And from what I've read, cosmoline is NOT to be used as a lubricant...

I knew that but thought I could away with it for it's first time being shot. Afterwards, I pretty much cleaned every thing in the rifle.

 

[1 old 0311]

Grease the rails, oil the rest.

 

[wally]

Isn't the general rule: If it slides, grease it, if it rotates oil it.

For rust protection all the modern CLP products are pretty good. Break-Free has never let me down.

--wally.

 

[Cosmoline]

Light CLP for cleaning. Otherwise leave it dry. Grease just attracts dirt, and the AK was designed to operate just fine without greased tracks.

 

[JAGibson187]

+1 on the CLP, I've shot over 2000 rounds through my WASR, and never had a problem with it.