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Synthetic Automotive Oil for Guns???
rhmc24
Member Posts: 1,984 ✭✭✭✭✭
In the "Experts" forum there was a discussion about using SAE 10W-40 for guns which brought up a lot of opinions but not much credible info. What about Synthetic? It is formulated to deal with petroleum oil faults. Synthetic has a much higher heat range (meaning from very low temp to very high) than petro oil, also highly protective of oxidation (rust, etc.) and chemical stability at least in an automotive environment. As automotive oils go, I would be inclined to use synthetic rather than petro oil for my guns. It would seem to follow that a synthetic GUN OIL would be better than one of petro base. There ought to be some credible info out there, experience, research, etc. Comments solicited and appreciated.
Comments
He Dog
In it was an informative letter by a reader, describing the merits of synthetics, namely Mobil 1.
It stated that antique guns and parts thereof could be greatly enhanced by total immersion in the stuff. This meant both case hardening and blueing. I remember it stated that it was not so graet on antique foreign.
Yes, the scientific explanation was delved into, but, unless I were to find that again,I couldn't begin to remember.
I do remember that the time of immersion was ....6 MONTHS.
I did it with a mod 92 win. Took it all down into parts from wood, made a recepticle out of aluminum wrap and slathered it on every day.
I'll confess, I did see an improvement,...and, a friend or two, who hadn't seen it in months, also agreed.
My problem was that I got ants-in-the-pantz, and couldn't wait. after 3 months, I just had to put it all back together.
Surely someone else seen this, perhaps 4 years ago?
Bob
Lord Lowrider the Loquacious.
Member:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets
She was only a fisherman's daughter,
But when she saw my rod she reeled.
He Dog
Mateomasfeo
"I am what I am!" - Popeye
Automotive oil for guns Most gun oils are just regular machine/motor oils with off-the-shelf additive packs (just like those oils), packaged in tiny quantities with the word "gun" on the bottle and a 500% markup. After trying a bunch of specialty gun oils for years (mostly Rem Oil and Hoppes Elite), I've found something that lubricates better, fights corrosion just as well, doesn't evaporate as easily, and is way cheaper.
Turns out that Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil (full synthetic, not dinosaur derived) actually has superior properties compared to most gun oils--less volatility, better lubrication and wear resistance, higher shear strength, and better temperature stability.
All the info below (in gray) is from the user Gun Slinger from the High Road, and is posted here with his permission. He recommends M1 synthetic 20W50 for most uses, but AR's might be happier with 10W30 due to the tight clearances and relatively low-energy bolt carrier. But even 10W30 is way superior to most gun oils. I don't have any 20W50 yet, but I had some extra Mobil 1 10W30 that I had bought for my car, and recently started using it on my civvie AK and my S&W Ladysmith 9mm, using a Q-tip as an applicator to the bearing surfaces. Results have been excellent; the guns work more smoothly, and the oil doesn't dry up/evaporate as quickly as the oils marketed as gun oils.
Thanks to all.......
Hello friends
Automotive oil for guns Most gun oils are just regular machine/motor oils with off-the-shelf additive packs (just like those oils), packaged in tiny quantities with the word "gun" on the bottle and a 500% markup. After trying a bunch of specialty gun oils for years (mostly Rem Oil and Hoppes Elite), I've found something that lubricates better, fights corrosion just as well, doesn't evaporate as easily, and is way cheaper.
Turns out that Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil (full synthetic, not dinosaur derived) actually has superior properties compared to most gun oils--less volatility, better lubrication and wear resistance, higher shear strength, and better temperature stability.
All the info below (in gray) is from the user Gun Slinger from the High Road, and is posted here with his permission. He recommends M1 synthetic 20W50 for most uses, but AR's might be happier with 10W30 due to the tight clearances and relatively low-energy bolt carrier. But even 10W30 is way superior to most gun oils. I don't have any 20W50 yet, but I had some extra Mobil 1 10W30 that I had bought for my car, and recently started using it on my civvie AK and my S&W Ladysmith 9mm, using a Q-tip as an applicator to the bearing surfaces. Results have been excellent; the guns work more smoothly, and the oil doesn't dry up/evaporate as quickly as the oils marketed as gun oils.
Thanks to all.......
Kall -
Welcome to GunBroker/General Discussion Forum.
Thak you for your informing post.
I've often wondered about that.
And...
Have a Great New Year.
I hope you enjoy it here.
New people are often beaten unmercifully.
Perhaops we are relatef.
Doug (Wilson)
Colt Super
Quart of motor oil $2, quart of gun oil $40?
Doug
Just remember that if you use a synthetic motor oil to lubricate your firearms NEVER switch back to a petroleum based oil. It will cause irreparable damage. [:D][:D] Sorry, couldn't resist.
and remember to STAY CALM!!!!!!!!!!
quote:Originally posted by ljwrench
Just remember that if you use a synthetic motor oil to lubricate your firearms NEVER switch back to a petroleum based oil. It will cause irreparable damage. [:D][:D] Sorry, couldn't resist.
and remember to STAY CLAM!!!!!!!!!!
[;)][:D]