Opinions Wanted: Lubrication 101 (for guns...LOL))

[Starker]

I came across this article from Grant Cunningham's blog. What do y'all think about his opinions?

Grant Cunningham - custom revolvers for sport and defense

 

[Green Hornet]

I type this, not to insult.
To me it’s beyond the scope of firearms. Too much jargon for a topic of such.
Just read and follow the owners’ manual for your firearm.
Many lubricants to buy. Many home products to use as well.

Some of the stuff in the column is like:
Telling a 70 year-old skydiver who’s a severe alcoholic, dying of an incurable disease, that if he doesn’t change his lifestyle, by just taking Flintstone vitamins everyday. He’s not going to live a long and healthy life.
It’s beyond taking Flintstone vitamins or any vitamin for that matter. I would have more faith in the latter. I f the man decided to pick his car up and run with it to get it started in the morning. That’s after kicking out the floor-boards.

Going around with microscopes to look at dust mites on gun-metal. Is beyond the scope of proper maintenance. I know a person like that; I respect his knowledge on it as anyone. I can relate to that. But enough is enough.

For firearms. It starts with the parts, made properly. Whether forged or mim parts. Forged parts need good honing. MIM parts need good quality control. For good workability. That is smooth actions, crisp triggers. That’s the icing on the cake. Any kind of oil, grease is not going to be the “cure-all” for that. But oil and grease will help with the “coefficient of friction” on parts.

Yes. Some companies go to the extreme of proving their product to another. That extreme will probably not matter to the owner, for the intended use of their firearm that is.
Just like oil from exotic snakes. Maybe it can make the lock-work out live the rest of the gun? As far as preservatives. If I was going to put it in a time capsule for long term storage. I worry more of what other possible elements can destroy it over time.

To make an argument on cost. Well, see second paragraph. One can buy inexpensive or expensive.
Common sense is if a lubricant does not work to your satisfaction. Change it to something else.

 

[Starker]

Thanks, Green! That makes sense. It is a long article with a lot of jargon.

I probably should have been a little more specific with my question. I was really curious to know if anyone has used automatic transmission fluid or Lubriplate SFL or SFO grease.

I understand the argument for using grease on areas such as slide rails. I am just trying to figure out what to use that doesn't cost a lot or smell bad and won't stain my nice, new, beautiful Texas Heritage holster by Tucker.

 

[40Arpent]

Stick to the basics, such as Break Free CLP, and you'll be just fine. Wipe the gun down after lubricating...you don't need the thing to be dripping wet. If you feel the need to grease the rails, just a little dab of Tetra grease is all you need...rack the slide a few times and wipe off any excess that squeezes out.

 

[oldguy]

I use FP10 and gun butter on rails in small quantities my guns stay clean new looking and run great so it works for me.

 

[M. Sage]

Heck, I still use Hoppes oil for a lot of stuff, and that's just 3-in-1 oil (which is under-rated, BTW; it might actually be tool-grade oil, which is better filtered). Other times, it's Rem Oil.

For grease, I use brake lube (a synthetic "carrier" with molybdenum disulfide), mostly because I get it free (or at least very cheap) at work. Works great for me and I'm happy. My guns always work.

 

[308nato]

I use several kinds depending on how heavy I 'am going to shoot.
1- a grease called Super Lube silicon grease good at -45 to +450 a
little on a q-tip goes a long way.
2- Tri Flow oil lube with Teflon
3-The old Hoppes standbys also.
4- Mobil 1 is good also as a synthetic.

Just my

 

[country_boy]

I use hoppes and or rem oil. I also use their gun grease for long term storage.

 

[Starker]

Stick to the basics, such as Break Free CLP, and you'll be just fine. Wipe the gun down after lubricating...you don't need the thing to be dripping wet. If you feel the need to grease the rails, just a little dab of Tetra grease is all you need...rack the slide a few times and wipe off any excess that squeezes out.

Thanks, TXSUT! I had not heard of Tetra, but it looks pretty good!

 

[Starker]

Heck, I still use Hoppes oil for a lot of stuff, and that's just 3-in-1 oil (which is under-rated, BTW; it might actually be tool-grade oil, which is better filtered). Other times, it's Rem Oil.

For grease, I use brake lube (a synthetic "carrier" with molybdenum disulfide), mostly because I get it free (or at least very cheap) at work. Works great for me and I'm happy. My guns always work.

Is there a specific brand of brake lube that you use?