This is a patently false statement. Mobil 1 is just as petroleum based as any other motor oil. Where do you think those carbon-carbon polyalphaolefins come from? Any hydridocarbyne, or substance prefixed with "poly" is in fact petro-chemical based substance.
They are primarily synthesized from ethylene gas, a component of natural gas. Yes, you can get some ethylene from fractional distillation and catalytic cracking, but most comes from gas wells, not crude oil.
My point was, PAO's are not petroleum distillates, nor are they merely long-chain alkanes. And you don't have to be condescending about it.
If you had even a minimal understanding of lubricants, motor oil in this case, you would know that motor oil, and its additives, are in fact a lubricant only when heated and under pressure.
I do have "even a minimum understanding of lubricants." Stop being so condescending, please.
Here is the relevant data for Mobil 1 10W30, which is crossposted from THR's own Gun Slinger, but you can find the data for yourself on the BITOG forums, of which I am a member:
Mobil 1 10W-30
Pour point: -49.0 F
Flash point: +453.2 F
Viscosity at 100 degrees F: 62.0 cSt
Viscosity at 212 degrees F: 10.0 cSt
Transient operating range: 484.2 F
Viscosity Index: 148
Militec-1 gun oil
Pour point: -45.0 F
Flash point: +455.0 F
Viscosity at 100 degrees F: 43.41 cSt
Viscosity at 212 degrees F: 5.63 cSt
Transient operating range: 500.0 F
Viscosity Index: 63
I don't have full data for Rem Oil, but the viscosity is only 25 cSt at 100 degrees and goes downhill from there. Rem Oil is roughly 50% MINERAL SPIRITS and 50% petroleum distillates, with a little PTFE thrown in. Here's the MSDS if you don't believe me:
http://www.remington.com/pdfs/msds/guncare/remoil-liquid.pdf
Most "gun oils" are repackaged conventional oils. There may sometimes be a surfactant added, but usually even the additive packs are similar. And the "gun oils" that double as cleaning solvents are compromises as lubricants, because the solvent function makes the oil of necessity TOO THIN for the best lubrication.
it is true that you may end up with less corrosion inhibitors in the additive pack in Mobil 1 than in a gun oil, so it might not be the best choice for rust prevention (I use Boeshield T-9 for that). But
as a lubricant, Mobil 1 kicks the butt of most high-solvent gun oils, including Rem Oil. And I
know Mobil 1 has a good ZDDP profile; I don't know if Rem Oil does or not.
FWIW, I have used both on my guns, and there is noticeably less operating friction when cycling the action when lubricated with Mobil-1 than when lubricated with Rem Oil. The only thing I use Rem Oil for is for lightly oiling the exterior for short-term storage, as Mobil 1 leaves too thick a coat.
Modern motor oil is a closed evironment lubricant. What part of any firearm you own is a closed environment and when is it under pressure?
I'd say it is for practical purposes on the microscopic scale when the bearing surfaces are under high shear. And Mobil 1 produces a lot thicker residual film than most gun oils, and is much less likely to evaporate over time.
From personal observation, Mobil 1 lasts a lot better in the open environment of a firearm than either Rem Oil or Hoppes Elite.
The chemical compounds used to make synthetic oil are not found naturally in petrloeum (crude oil), but are synthesized from petroleum through a process called hydrocracking or hydroisomerization. This process aligns the carbon bonds so that they effectively pack, or settle, into such a tight compound, they become exceptionally heat resistant. This is why synthetic oils generallly won't burn.
I know that. Again, no need to be condescending.
That being said, I happen to believe motor oil is absoluely the worst "lubricant" you could possibly use on any firearm....
I disagree, at least with regard to synthetics. I would not put petroleum-distillate motor oil on a gun except in a pinch (if for no other reason than the smell), but reasonably heavy synthetics (10W30 or higher) have excellent lubrication properties.
The worst possible lubricants would be thin lubes with no zinc dithiophosphate wear inhibitors. Motor oils are pretty good.
