Gin lubricant

[kh32962]

Hi,I'm new to the site, I have a couple of cents I'd like  to toss in for thought.                                                                   A fellow I was talking to...told me that the English "SAS" used gin as a solvent/lube,in the middle east.
The berry that gin is distilled from,leaves a very thin film of oil,while the alcohol works as a solvent,of sorts,for cleaning.Thereby limiting the gumming up of the works,typical of oil issues like dirt ,dust and freezing.
Would this work on firearms in the frozen north? Alcohol isn't supposed to freeze, and if the "gin berry" lubricant idea bears fruit,( ya ,I know...Bad pun,sorry.) Would this prevent the freezing of firearms as a result of the wet,very cold conditions that hunters are exposed to for days on end,while providing protection and lubrication? Would this be a valid excuse to give a game officer asking what I'm doing in procession of a bottle of booze while hunting? Would vodka work? Do potato's have their own natural lube? Thanks,among other things,I'm full of questions.

[Mikey]

kh - welcome aboard.  Regarding the theory of Gin being or acting as a lubricant, well hay, ya kin always test it out. 

I have known a few SAS folk in my time but none ever mentioned Gin as a lubricant.  They mentioned Gin often, usually between gulps of the stuff, but never as a lubricant.

I can think of one possibility though but it wouldn't be from any of the Gulf wars. It might be for some of the older SAS fellas who served in the frozen north of Great Britain when the bolts on their old SMLEs would freeze up due to a accumulation of ice/snow if the rifle was cocked and the firing pin was 'out' in the cocked position, which would allow a snow/ice buildup that blocked the firing pin from striking the primer when the trigger was pulled.  It is a possibility that when some of those fellas were trying to warm up a bit, using Gin as antifreeze, that some spilled on the bolt and dissolved the ice. 

I'm also not so sure that the Juniper berry, from which Gin is made I believe, contains much if any natural lubricant.  I have used Gin before to clean my eyeglasses and at least the stuff I used did not leave a film, so I don't think it had any lube to it. 

I know that Vodka will melt ice cubes, so that too is a possibility but I don't think it has any lubricating qualities to it unless you are talking about some, umm, personal usage which I would not advocate while out hunting or in the cold.

Potatoes - not so sure.  I have eaten them and do regularly and they do not seem to pass through my system any faster than anything else.  I have also shot them from Potatoe Cannons with a fair degree of accuracy (until they begin to yaw in flight) and have checked the 'bore' after firing and found no sign of fouling, so maybe they do have some sore of nartural lubricant in that regard. 

However,once the clock strikes twelve I will begin my own test of the natural lubricating qualities of both Gin and Vodka and see if they make my knees work any better (lololol).  Thanks for the post and let your questions abound.

No, I would not try and use that as an excuse with a game officer.............Just tryin' to be helpful.  Mikey.

[kh32962]

Now that's how you answer a question ladies and gentlemen! Many thanks Mikey,God only knows what you just kept from happening...

[Singleshotsam]

Gin as lubrican. Keeps gun well oiled and lubed in the cold extremes.  Ironically keeps the hunter warm...

Seriously though, that doesn't sound like a great idea for lube/solvent though.

[Bubber]

Gin as a lube, I have my doubts. Gin as a solvent on the other hand, I am sure it would work at least resonably well as it has a high alchol content. Anything that is over 40 proof would probably work reasonably well for a solvent. Besides I don't see how anyone can drink Gin, nasty, bitter, makes me shudder just  thinking about it. May as well be used for a solvent lord knows it tastes like it.

[jeepmann1948]

 I think it would be an excellent lubricate ! many Years ago after numerous libations of an extremly cheap bottle of Gin it slid right back out my oral eddifce, so slick, as a matter of fact Gin has not touched my lips again! Thank goodness it was not  bourbon. On this same note I can attest to its flower killing ability as well.The lady's prize flower bed had a large dead spot.
 It is also on record of loosening the lips of many GI's and Brits in the pubs and starting a cheerfully exuberant physical display of self-defense technique.
 
 
 

[steg]

It may be in reference to the sloe-berry as in slo-jin?

[charles p]

I suspect it is a better solvent than lubricant.  It will take the finish off of hardwood floors when spilled.

[bearmgc]

kh - welcome aboard.  Regarding the theory of Gin being or acting as a lubricant, well hay, ya kin always test it out. 

I have known a few SAS folk in my time but none ever mentioned Gin as a lubricant.  They mentioned Gin often, usually between gulps of the stuff, but never as a lubricant.

I can think of one possibility though but it wouldn't be from any of the Gulf wars. It might be for some of the older SAS fellas who served in the frozen north of Great Britain when the bolts on their old SMLEs would freeze up due to a accumulation of ice/snow if the rifle was cocked and the firing pin was 'out' in the cocked position, which would allow a snow/ice buildup that blocked the firing pin from striking the primer when the trigger was pulled.  It is a possibility that when some of those fellas were trying to warm up a bit, using Gin as antifreeze, that some spilled on the bolt and dissolved the ice. 

I'm also not so sure that the Juniper berry, from which Gin is made I believe, contains much if any natural lubricant.  I have used Gin before to clean my eyeglasses and at least the stuff I used did not leave a film, so I don't think it had any lube to it. 

I know that Vodka will melt ice cubes, so that too is a possibility but I don't think it has any lubricating qualities to it unless you are talking about some, umm, personal usage which I would not advocate while out hunting or in the cold.

Potatoes - not so sure.  I have eaten them and do regularly and they do not seem to pass through my system any faster than anything else.  I have also shot them from Potatoe Cannons with a fair degree of accuracy (until they begin to yaw in flight) and have checked the 'bore' after firing and found no sign of fouling, so maybe they do have some sore of nartural lubricant in that regard. 

However,once the clock strikes twelve I will begin my own test of the natural lubricating qualities of both Gin and Vodka and see if they make my knees work any better (lololol).  Thanks for the post and let your questions abound.

No, I would not try and use that as an excuse with a game officer.............Just tryin' to be helpful.  Mikey.

Mikey, that is precious, LMBO!