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gun oils

mlincolnmlincoln Member Posts: 5,039 ✭✭✭
edited January 2017 in General Discussion
At the gun store the other day, and there are these little, teeny-tiny bottles of gun oil / lubricant that sell for exorbitant amounts of money. Little needle applicators, one looks like a syringe, all these exotic names, 3 oz of the stuff, 4 oz of the stuff going for about $16.

Then I'm at the hardware store. There's a bottle of 3-in-1 oil. Much larger, much cheaper. You get 8 oz for about $9. Hey, better deal.

Then I'm at the auto parts store. And they're selling a big old jub of Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil for a mere $22. A quart of the stuff is $6.

For lubrication, for a wipe down after cleaning, or use on regular old Glocks and stuff designed to be used hard, is regular old 3-in-1 or motor oil OK? Has anybody tried this?

Comments

  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    3-in-1 oil is also a penetrating oil, its not going near my guns anymore than wd-40 is


    now motor oil is another story as long as it is synthetic, conventional oil can break down faster over time
  • BeeramidBeeramid Member Posts: 7,264 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    People do use Mobil 1 full synthetic for gun oil. I've normally used Rem oil, or CLP because it's easy to find. I found a store that stocks Ballistol, it's great for everything.
  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,404 ******
    edited November -1
    skip oil altogether and go with a light coating of grease.
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mlincoln
    is regular old 3-in-1 or motor oil OK? Has anybody tried this?


    I have several guns in my safe that I inherited that are over 100 years old that never had anything used on them but 3-in-1 oil and they still work as good as new. The only reason I use anything other than 3-in-1 oil today is because I like being able to spray the oil into hard to get places with spray cans of lube.

    I use synthetic grease on most things I can get to easily such as semi auto slide rails.
  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ask Nononsense about gun lubricants. They spend a pile developing purposed designed lubricants and you want to use WD-40 and 3 in 1 on everything. Talk about luddite.[}:)][:D]

    The better the lube you use the better it will protect your parts. Pay now or pay later your choice.
  • gunnut505gunnut505 Member Posts: 10,290
    edited November -1
    Snake Oil, Militec-1, TW25, even LSA oil is better than 3-in-1 oil or (God Forbid) WD40.
    Maybe after the zombie invasion or Apocalypse, other oils won't be easy to find or readily available; still not putting that old fashioned, mountain William crap on anything but rusty gates.
  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,188 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    JB 80 for me. Engine oil seems a little thick to me, although have used Delo 400 15W-40 in a pinch out in the field.
  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    OIL'S ARE NORMALLY BAD ON WOOD IN THE GRIP action receiver AREA AND MOST SAFES ARE SET UP SO THE BUTT STOCK IN DOWN Ballistol will not damage wood or leather or Metals and in non toxic Great stuff
  • iceracerxiceracerx Member Posts: 8,860 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
    skip oil altogether and go with a light coating of grease.


    How can one 'skip oil' when grease is nothing but OIL suspended in soap?
  • LesWVaLesWVa Member Posts: 10,490 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just get some RC shock oil.

    Take Team Losi for example. They have it in everything from 10W to 100W. And you can get a 6 pack, 2 oz bottles of different weights for round $15.00.

    20F degrees outside, Use the 20 weight. 85F well just go with the 90.
  • slumlord44slumlord44 Member Posts: 3,702 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm still not convinced that most any oil will work if used properly and often enough. The new expensive stuff will last longer and may be better but in my youth I used 3 in one and WD40 without destroying a gun.
  • kidthatsirishkidthatsirish Member Posts: 6,983 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use oils for cleaning and grease for shooting and storing. There really are lots of good oils out there. PBS blaster is a penetrating oil and I have used it as a bore cleaner before with good results.

    For those of you who say that it's bad to use a penetrating oil why? Not looking to debate. I just don't know that I have ever had of any danger with it, and as I stated above I have used it on barrels before and would like to know your knowledge on the matter.[?]
  • kidthatsirishkidthatsirish Member Posts: 6,983 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just went and did some reading and it seems the issue is possible migrating into primers/powder....I guess that's why I've never had an issue....I only used penetrating oils as cleaners and never lubrication for a firearm. I would clean, wipe all the oIL off and then grease. Honestly I would think anyone who is using enough of a penetrating oil that it could affect the ammo is probably using to much of any lube!
  • M1A762M1A762 Member Posts: 3,426
    edited November -1
    AK47 use urine.[:D]

    AR15 use maiden oil.[:D]
  • Henry0ReillyHenry0Reilly Member Posts: 10,892 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    wd2040_zpsbmf6wi6n.jpg

    Growing up I didn't know any better. Used this on all three of my guns.
    I used to recruit for the NRA until they sold us down the river (again!) in Heller v. DC. See my auctions (if any) under username henryreilly
  • BrookwoodBrookwood Member, Moderator Posts: 13,771 ******
    edited November -1
    My grand dad used sperm whale oil on all of his rifles and shotguns.
    He left behind a gallon of it and I will sometimes use it on my traditional style muzzle loaders.

    When I worked in the chemical industry back in the mid 70's we would get sperm whale oil from Japan in 55 gallon drums.

    It later became illegal stuff and it may have been illegal then but the company never labeled it with a name, just a code number.

    I have used Kroil quite a bit on my firearms but always wipe it out and off and RIG grease after.
  • CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by He Dog
    Ask Nononsense about gun lubricants. They spend a pile developing marketing purposed designed lubricants and you want to use WD-40 and 3 in 1 on everything. Talk about luddite.[}:)][:D]

    The better the lube you use the better it will protect your parts. Pay now or pay later your choice.


    FIFY

    While I agree that here are much better choices than 3-n-1 or WD40, I do use a mixture of synthetic 10W, Tranny Fluid, and Lubriplate on the OUTSIDE of most of my guns. When I pull them out to give them a wipe, it's what I use.

    After shooing or for the inside, I use Militec-1, Pro-Shot, or CLP.

    None of which are expensive, but I feel they're better suited to the internals.

    .....Different strokes....
    Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just me I like Kroil. Seems to stick around.

    WD-40 I use to get rid of water in Points.
  • RadarRadar Member Posts: 2,312 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    1 Quart HD 30 wt motor oil,1 quart ATF,1 pint marvels mystery oil,1 pint STP and a bottle of hoppers #9.If you have any leftover you can use it to mark the driveway.(To keep out trespassers)[:)]
  • fideaufideau Member Posts: 11,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Radar
    1 Quart HD 30 wt motor oil,1 quart ATF,1 pint marvels mystery oil,1 pint STP and a bottle of hoppers #9.If you have any leftover you can use it to mark the driveway.(To keep out trespassers)[:)]


    Is that straight up or over ice? [:o)]
  • victorj19victorj19 Member Posts: 3,642 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Radar
    1 Quart HD 30 wt motor oil,1 quart ATF,1 pint marvels mystery oil,1 pint STP and a bottle of hoppers #9.If you have any leftover you can use it to mark the driveway.(To keep out trespassers)[:)]


    What's the name for this? IIRC it starts with "Red's". Made some years ago, although I don't remember adding hoppes, and still have some in the garage. Used to soak pistols and revolvers in it. Scrub the gunk off, let them drip dry and the blast them with compressed air.
  • CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by victorj19
    quote:Originally posted by Radar
    1 Quart HD 30 wt motor oil,1 quart ATF,1 pint marvels mystery oil,1 pint STP and a bottle of hoppers #9.If you have any leftover you can use it to mark the driveway.(To keep out trespassers)[:)]


    What's the name for this? IIRC it starts with "Red's". Made some years ago, although I don't remember adding hoppes, and still have some in the garage. Used to soak pistols and revolvers in it. Scrub the gunk off, let them drip dry and the blast them with compressed air.


    There was an "Ed's Red" long ago.

    The mix I use works well for hand tools (Soak a ratcheting box-end wrench in it and watch the gunk fall out).
    Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
  • victorj19victorj19 Member Posts: 3,642 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That's it!

    quote:Originally posted by Cubslover
    quote:Originally posted by victorj19
    quote:Originally posted by Radar
    1 Quart HD 30 wt motor oil,1 quart ATF,1 pint marvels mystery oil,1 pint STP and a bottle of hoppers #9.If you have any leftover you can use it to mark the driveway.(To keep out trespassers)[:)]


    What's the name for this? IIRC it starts with "Red's". Made some years ago, although I don't remember adding hoppes, and still have some in the garage. Used to soak pistols and revolvers in it. Scrub the gunk off, let them drip dry and the blast them with compressed air.


    There was an "Ed's Red" long ago.

    The mix I use works well for hand tools (Soak a ratcheting box-end wrench in it and watch the gunk fall out).
  • GuvamintCheeseGuvamintCheese Member Posts: 38,932
    edited November -1
    I use nothing but clenzoil for my guns. Clenzoil is safe for wood. Other oils will penetrate the wood and turn it into dust over time.
  • navc130navc130 Member Posts: 1,258 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    ED's Red was a home brew bore cleaner: equal parts of acetone, transmission fluid and paint thinner. If you wanted to use as a metal protector you added lanolin.
  • RadarRadar Member Posts: 2,312 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Called Marine Red Oil.quote:Originally posted by victorj19
    quote:Originally posted by Radar
    1 Quart HD 30 wt motor oil,1 quart ATF,1 pint marvels mystery oil,1 pint STP and a bottle of hoppers #9.If you have any leftover you can use it to mark the driveway.(To keep out trespassers)[:)]


    What's the name for this? IIRC it starts with "Red's". Made some years ago, although I don't remember adding hoppes, and still have some in the garage. Used to soak pistols and revolvers in it. Scrub the gunk off, let them drip dry and the blast them with compressed air.
  • joshmb1982joshmb1982 Member Posts: 8,228 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Anyone have experience with this stuff? Specifically the oil and grease? I've seen a few YouTube vids that were favorable and MAC from the military arms channel recommends it.

    http://www.opticsplanet.com/s/breakthrough-clean-technologies
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