Author Topic: Which oils and lubes do you like and why? (Read 1256 times)

Chris B. · « **on:** June 23, 2004, 08:43:26 AM »

I have been testing several which include Terta oil and grease, Break Free, FP-10, Hoppes oil, Butches Gun Oil, and TW25B oil and grease. So far the Tetra oil and grease are the slickest followed by Hoppes in 2nd Break Free and FP-10 tied for 3rd Butches Gun Oil in 4th and TW25B in 5th.
The way I tested slickness (which is totally unscientific) was applying the oils to flat painted metal surface and rub them together till the paint started to wear. I aslo did the "between the fingers" test and I could get my finger and thumb to "studder" across each other by pressing as hard as I could. The Tetra oil was the only oil that I could not get my fingers to "studder" no matter how hard I tried. I also had other people do this with out knowing the lube and they to me he same results I found. so for slickness as far as my unscientific test could tell the best lubes were
1, Tetra
2, Hoppes
3, FP-10, Break Free tied
4, Butches gun oil
5, TW25B oil

I'm going to do a rust test this week to see how weel these prevent rust.

Which oils and lubes do you like and why? Thanks!

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2004, 04:22:21 AM »

I really like the Tetra. Is spose to greatly reduce the chance of friction induced lead splatter when shooting off the shelf cast bullets.
Is also highly recommended when using the custom fit, lubed bullet with gas check.

Chris B. · « **Reply #2 on:** June 25, 2004, 07:08:20 AM »

The only bad thing about Tetra is I'v heard it can damage Plastics. I'm doing a little testing on that now though.

Chris B. · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2004, 02:24:43 PM »

Anyone else have any thing to say about their favorite oil? Let's hear it! :grin:

doghouse95 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2004, 09:02:39 PM »

There are many out there that are good, but one is VERY BAD!!!!
I'm a smith, and I've made more money cleaning guns that people used WD40 on than anything else.
Never use WD40 on any firearm for any reason. In a few short months it will turn to laquer and gum everything up.

Flint · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2004, 01:20:45 PM »

WD-40 is good for cleaning engine parts and sometimes as a cutting fluid, but NEVER as a preservative or lubricant.....

michbob · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2004, 01:44:26 PM »

An oil that I've just started to use is olio Beretta. I bought a Beretta 92, and I figured: Beretta oil for a Beretta pistol. So far, it has worked very nicely from single digit temps up to the low nineties. It seems to be a typical penetrate/lube/protect formula.

And all for $3.50 for a 125ml aerosol can.

Michbob.

silverback · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2004, 10:48:17 AM »

I really like FP-10 as a cleaner/lubricant/protectant. The more I use it the better I like it, nothing sticks to a bore that's had a few cleanings with FP10. I use a little tetra grease on slides and pawls, for lubricity it's better.

daddywpb · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2004, 12:13:40 PM »

I've been using stuff called Snake Oil. I got it at a local gun store, and Dillon Precision has it on their website. I'm pleased so far.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2004, 02:46:04 PM »

I used to spray wd-40 on all my guns in bad weather. When one was very noticble off in shooting i took the forearm off, lots of build up, had to scrape it out. Now I use Kroil and wipe it on.
Jim

Nobade · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2004, 03:38:59 PM »

Check out Mobil 1 Zero weight. I got a quart at Wal Mart about 6 years ago and am still using it. It's hard to get my Smith 41 to run right when the temps are below freezing, but it still works well with this stuff.

WD45 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 02, 2004, 01:39:14 AM »

Deffinately NOT WD40. I have had WD40 cause as many problems as help.
It is good for a starting fluid for diesel engines though and a good water displacer.
I like CLP breakfree and Hoppes. I have never had a problem with either one

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2004, 02:16:39 PM »

Has any one tried STP? I read a post somewhere some time ago about this as a possible for guns.
Jim

Bill T · « **Reply #13 on:** July 05, 2004, 08:11:34 AM »

I'll second Nobade's recommendation of Mobil 1. I use the 20W-50 version of this oil because I live in Arizona and the temps are high here. I believe that most ALL "gun" oils are far too over priced, as well as overrated. All I have ever used is Mobil 1, along with ATF on some semi autos and have never had a problem. On high pressure, small surface area applications such as bolt lugs I use STP. A quart of each will last decades, and cost practially nothing when compared to these "high tech" lubricants that are nothing more than a ripoff. Bill T.

Chris B. · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2004, 02:32:34 PM »

Quote from: Bill T

I'll second Nobade's recommendation of Mobil 1. I use the 20W-50 version of this oil because I live in Arizona and the temps are high here. I believe that most ALL "gun" oils are far too over priced, as well as overrated. All I have ever used is Mobil 1, along with ATF on some semi autos and have never had a problem. On high pressure, small surface area applications such as bolt lugs I use STP. A quart of each will last decades, and cost practially nothing when compared to these "high tech" lubricants that are nothing more than a ripoff. Bill T.

I too used to think this but many gun experts have told me dedicated gun oil are a better choice then motor oil. If you do an internet search on this there is a lot of reading on it. The temps and working condidtions that a gun sees is vastly different then what an engine sees and the 2 oils are formulated vastly different as a result. Some even say that the way a motor oil works and suspends particals can excellerate wear on a gun. I'm no expert but it is something to think about.

Flash · « **Reply #15 on:** July 06, 2004, 02:40:35 AM »

I use G96 Gun Treatment and have for the past 35 years or so. It doesn't dry or gum up. I keep a rag saturated with it in an empty peanut butter jar and wipe all my guns down with it after handling. Works wonders!

Bill T · « **Reply #16 on:** July 09, 2004, 11:06:46 PM »

A friend of mine has a brother that is an advertising rep for Castrol. Know what your getting when you pay $8.95 for a 4 oz. pump bottle of "Castrol / Hoppe's Synthetic Gun Lube"? Castrol Syntec Motor Oil! It's a fact. The only difference is instead of paying $2.00 a quart, your paying $9.00 for 4 ounces. Don't kid yourself into thinking these "wonder lubes" do any more for your firearm that common motor oil won't. If it can keep an engine running for 200,000 miles at almost the boiling point, keeping the slide on your favorite .45 auto from wearing out is a cake walk. Bill T.

Coltrane · « **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2004, 05:08:33 AM »

I like Remington's Wonderlube for gen purp lube, cleaning, and protection.
It doesn't gum up like WD40 and it smells really good to boot.

I lucked into a case of 6 for 12.00 at my gun shop about 2 years ago. Still have about four cans to go. I keep a look out for the stuff whenever possible.

Chris B. · « **Reply #18 on:** July 10, 2004, 02:48:20 PM »

Not to talk bad about Castrol but they are not honest about their products and change them quiet often. There Synthetic oil is not a true synthetic but a group 3 oil that is hydrocracked conventional oil but they still charge a full syn price. The only way they can legally call it synthetic is they won a law suit with Mobil because of a loop hole several years ago. Also they claim that their American Syntec is the EXACT oil as their German Syntec which it totaly BS. Their make up is totally different and it has been brought to their attention but they still deny it and lie to the public bucause 90% of the public will never know. I can probibly guarantee that their gun oil is not even close to motor oil. All of this can easily be confirmed to be true at www.bobistheoilguy.com. Castrol is a VERY shady company and buying from them YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING!

Go to www.sigforums.com
www.ar-15.com
www.1911forums.com

are just a few places to read up on this topic. Gun oils and Motors oil have very different chemistry for two very different jobs. I'm no expert but others that are repeat what I just said.

magooch · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2004, 04:26:00 AM »

I use silicone spray, turbine oil, Aerokroil and Silikroil.

Bill T · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2004, 05:36:09 AM »

I don't doubt what your saying about Castrol. I used it for years, then stopped because I started to notice dirty deposits at the bottom of the white plastic bottle after I poured the contents into my engine. Since then I've switched to Havoline. It's cheaper, and pours out almost clear. I change oil and filter every 2,000 Mi. I feel this is far more important than what kind of oil you use. Dirty oil is dirty oil, period. I notice that most over at that website don't think too highly of Fram oil, or K&N air filters. I have used both exclusivly on both my vehicles for over 13 years now with no ill effects. Those people over there are quite knowledgeable, but tend to get over technical at times. How many guns have you seen fail prematurely because of lack of lubricant, let alone the wrong lubricant? Most firearms will cook off a barrel, or shoot loose long before they fail from lubricant problems. All I have ever used is motor oil, ATF, and STP as lubes for my guns for 35 years now, and all are still going strong. It seems every 10 minutes they are introducing a new "miracle" gun lube with claims being the only thing higher than the price. I tend to stick with what works. Bill T.

inluvwithsara · « **Reply #21 on:** July 12, 2004, 04:11:54 AM »

http://www.militec-1.com/products.htm

Been using it for a few years and love it...pricey, but really works well.

Chris B. · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2004, 07:27:35 AM »

You picked a good oil by choosing Halvoline, it is a top quality oil! It is quite capable going much farther then 2,000 miles though. You can safely go 3-5 thousand on this oil. The only way to truly tell how well the oil is protecting the engine and how far it really can go is to have it analyzed. I have my oil done every time (mostly as a hobby). When I used a K&N air filter on my LS1 Camaro and Sliverado my Silicon(dirt) count was very high! I got rid of the K&N's and my Silicon(dirt) in favor of a paper AC Delco filter and metal wear count dropped by a huge ammount! K&N's flow air as advertised but don't filter dirt out at all and inreturn cause your engine to wear at a much higher rate. Any way I feel everyone should do a UOA(used oil analysis) on their engine once a year ($10-35) because it can truly save your butt as it can catch many developing problems before they kill the engine. It is just good prevenitive maintenance!

I might try and fool around with Mobil 1 synthetic oil on my guns (15w50) to see what happends reguardles what the experts say against it. Right now I use Tetra grease on the slide rails and bolts and eightor Break Free, FP-10, Hoppes oil or other quality oil on everything else.

Milites is a fantastic lube but very poor corrosion protectant. most folks who use it complain about rust developing when using Militec. In the desert this might not be a problem. Do a little test and get some shinny carbon steel and put Militec on it and leave it out side for a few days. Do the same with some Breakfree and Fp-10. The Militec treated steel will rust long before the others. Just something to think about.

inluvwithsara · « **Reply #23 on:** July 12, 2004, 07:51:27 AM »

I never tempt fate...living on the hellish eastern seaboard...DC area...everything is prone to rust...worse as you near the coast...but I am real anal about my knives and guns being clean and oiled...and always done again if they get exposed to the rain...
To put one of my babies in harms way when its not needed...no thanks...but for normal use...it seems to do fine...though nothing keeps my since sold Desert eagle workin' smooth past 100 rounds...my super blackhawk and Redhawk and glocks fire for ever with out a hickup...my theory is that the DE's tolerances are too fine.