Lubricant Discussion

Etype

Special Forces
Verified SOF
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
2,186
Since I'm a habitually using the Fitness/Nutrition section to think out loud, I figured I'd let it overflow into here as well.

So here's a couple things I've noticed about purpose made gun lubes-
  • Most of them suck.
  • Their operating range is usually relatively low (160 deg for CLP, for example).
    • The crusty stuff on high temp parts is a product of burned lubricant and carbon. Carbon on it's own doesn't cake on and make that nastiness.
  • They have a poor viscosity for weapons.
    • Rem Oil, for example, seems to be very popular. I see people with that garbage on the range all the time, and it seems to be only slightly thicker than water. It's like sewing machine oil with a bit of a caramel tint.
  • Carbon has lubricating properties of it's own, using solvents to remove it isn't particularly necessary. If a lubricant is working properly (penetrating and not dropping), you should be able to wipe parts clean.

So here's what I've been doing for the last couple years- I've been using Castrol Syntech 5W-50.
  • Motor oil is exposed to temperatures in excess of 600 degrees in diesel engines.
  • Multi-grade oil perform across a broad spectrum of tolerances and temperatures since they have the properties of both oils.
    • I use 5W-50 because it's the broadest range I could find.
    • Since the stuff doesn't burn off on high temp parts like gas regulators and bolts, I never have to scrape crispy carbon off.
    • I also never use any solvents to clean other parts. Since the stuff maintains a decent film wherever you put it, it wipes clean with an oily rag.
What's everyone else using? How about white lithium grease or gear oil?
 
Blood or in some cases tears.

Wait weapon lube...

I too am a big fan of engine oil for everything from Mag 58s to Augs. I haven't tried Frog lube and don't run anything that runs hot enough to need it now.
 
This is also how I've been cleaning lately...
 

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I just started using Frog Lube and I like it a lot. I suppose it is a tad time consuming if you heat up the metal but that is okay with me.
 
I am going to put the 100% endorsement on Frog Lube. I will not be using another lube/cleaner any time soon. I love this stuff. Runs really really well hot, too. Great product.
 
I bought the gallon pail of paste a while back and filled up a crockpot with it. I heat it up, wipe the parts down (that's pretty much all it takes at this point), then 'cook' the parts a bit. Works like a charm. My 1911s look dry, but keep running long after other guns have started to malfunction; the same is true of my rifle.
 
Yep. I put my rifle through the wringer in Africa- hot, humid, right near salt water- ran like a dream and easy to get the moon dust out of it. Can't say enough good things.
 
That's a great endorsement because your guns are challenged more than mine. Mine live in a Ford and stay relatively clean unless I'm shooting them; yours are much exposed to environmental problems.
 
AND another update...

I shot the Barrett M107 (.50 caliber designated marksman weapon) all week here in Vegas. I had a brand new weapon with packing grease still on it- and brought some Frog Lube with me. I talked the Security Forces guys into letting me condition my weapon w/ Frog Lube and shoot it all week. I didn't clean it once, and only lubed it lightly when I took it out of the case each day. I didn't even heat treat it- just cleaned the packing grease off and put some liquid Frog Lube on.

About 500 rounds later through the mild desert heat, intense desert dust, and essentially minimal lube, my weapon was noticeably easier to clean (and cleaner when I finished), shot well all week without a single malfunction, and just generally looked/cycled better than the other guns with standard issue CLP. Yet again, Frog Lube passed the test.

I won some people over with it also, which is awesome. After cleaning their .50's and getting the standard "CLP/black carbon" all over their hands, I squirted some FL on there and had them rub their hands together- came out nice and clean. This stuff is great.

I am going to put it through the ringer on some of our automatic weapons- the M240/M249's and see how it goes there. That will be the real challenge, I think. I'll let you know what happens.
 
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