What is the best way to lube the AR-15
- Thread starter Got_Lead?
- Start date
- Status
don't use a combo
don't use a dry lube
don't use grease
use oil and a lot of it (preferably something like slip2000 EWL or machine gunner's lube, though mobil 1, LSA, CLP will also work fine)
if it's goo'd up after a few shots, you're definitely doing something wrong
don't use a dry lube
don't use grease
use oil and a lot of it (preferably something like slip2000 EWL or machine gunner's lube, though mobil 1, LSA, CLP will also work fine)
if it's goo'd up after a few shots, you're definitely doing something wrong
Last edited:
Steve CT
Member
My son built an AR for me, and advised me to run it fairly wet. He is also a big fan of the slip 2000EWL, and he is very experienced with AR/M16's both personally and thru his employer (Uncle Sam)
MrButterfield
Member
I will second the CLP recommendation. I shoot my AR a LOT and have had no problems with this product. I also use it liberally; using common sense of course.
I tend to run my AR much dryer than many post but a heavy day for me is less than a 100 rounds. Breakfree CLP never seems to let me down. Also it is hot where I live so if I am at a range it usually involves a white shirt. Never get splattered which I prefer. As mentioned in http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=61505
thread it is not the amount as much as the placement of the lube that counts. Many ways to get the desired results.
thread it is not the amount as much as the placement of the lube that counts. Many ways to get the desired results.
GIJOEL
Member
I grease the cam pin and the bolt where it contacts the carrier, then I liberally oil the whole thing after assembly.
dc.fireman
Member
Agreed. While I like Slip 2000, I also keeps large amounts of Break-Free CLP on hand - the bolt, and bolt carrier get large amounts, every thing else (charging handle, bolt release button, mag release button) gets a thin film.
briansmithwins
Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2005
- Messages
- 4,631
Like many guns: oil and lots of it.
Don't worry about over doing it. Any excess oil will just get blown out anyway.
Which is yet another reason to wear your eye protection.
BSW
Don't worry about over doing it. Any excess oil will just get blown out anyway.
Which is yet another reason to wear your eye protection.
BSW
I grease the pivot points, contact points of the hammer and also use a thin film of grease on the inside of the extension tube.
Other than that I use oil,quite a fair amount on the bolt and carrier.
Never oil the bore and never allow oil or bore cleaner to seep into the gas system.
Other than that I use oil,quite a fair amount on the bolt and carrier.
Never oil the bore and never allow oil or bore cleaner to seep into the gas system.
briansmithwins
Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2005
- Messages
- 4,631
Funny, I always oil the bore as a last step. Usually wipe it dry before shooting, but not always.
BSW
BSW
Carter
Member
I use a hefty amount of break free. Last time I cleaned and oiled it was after a 3 gun match in the rain and I over did it. Got a nice face full of oil during the next range trip. She ran beautifully though.
DougW
Member
I use a lot of CLP, always running my AR's wet, especially when new. Usually set up a new rifle wringing wet and run it till/if it has a FTF, or for around 300 rounds. Then, clean, re-lube, and run her some more.
toejamm
Member
Slip 2000 EWL, and Break Free CLP keeps them wet and worry-free.
Having serviced many thousands of those rifles..
Stepping outside the Military box for a moment..
Those things mentioned up there all work, but If you run things on the dry side, I highly highly recommend Militec.
For me, from days where I put 500 rounds down range to the days I put 25 my lube points are the bolt cam. The raised ridges on the bolt itself and a light coat on everything EXCEPT the bolt face. The bolt carrier on the contact points in the metal get a good coat. Top and bottom. This will generally be all you need, I have had one incident in the civilian side where I had a hiccup in operation. I fired off about 100 rounds of obscenely dirty ammunition, both on the cases and the propellant was not fully burning.
On the Military side, I've seen rifles choke for a non mechanical fault in two situations.
Run bone dry for several hundred rounds in the blowing sand of Iraq and Kuwait.
Soaked with too much CLP. Shot in by the squirt bottle full till it dripped off the parts. That will also attract your dirt and propellant residue. It can also bog down your locking of the bolt, either preventing it from going fully in to battery, or in one incident it created a near hydrological seal and it was not popping free reliably with out breaking the seal on the upper and lower receivers.
Really, put your favorite flavor on there. I again recommend militec but other than that, a light coat on the bolt and bolt carrier and you will not go wrong.
Regards
Stepping outside the Military box for a moment..
Those things mentioned up there all work, but If you run things on the dry side, I highly highly recommend Militec.
For me, from days where I put 500 rounds down range to the days I put 25 my lube points are the bolt cam. The raised ridges on the bolt itself and a light coat on everything EXCEPT the bolt face. The bolt carrier on the contact points in the metal get a good coat. Top and bottom. This will generally be all you need, I have had one incident in the civilian side where I had a hiccup in operation. I fired off about 100 rounds of obscenely dirty ammunition, both on the cases and the propellant was not fully burning.
On the Military side, I've seen rifles choke for a non mechanical fault in two situations.
Run bone dry for several hundred rounds in the blowing sand of Iraq and Kuwait.
Soaked with too much CLP. Shot in by the squirt bottle full till it dripped off the parts. That will also attract your dirt and propellant residue. It can also bog down your locking of the bolt, either preventing it from going fully in to battery, or in one incident it created a near hydrological seal and it was not popping free reliably with out breaking the seal on the upper and lower receivers.
Really, put your favorite flavor on there. I again recommend militec but other than that, a light coat on the bolt and bolt carrier and you will not go wrong.
Regards
- Status