TW-25B Grease

[Aray]

@Aray, you appear to know a lot about machine lubrication. What do you use to lubricate and protect your guns?

In pistols it's really not that big of a deal, ironically I often use Amsoil 20w-50 Motorcycle oil as that is what I run in my bike or whatever other synthetic motor oil I have on hand. Any Group III or IV based synthetic motor oil is more than sufficient for a pistol and way cheaper than any gun lube. All a lube really has to be on a pistol is 'there'. The difference in performance of specific lubricants is really mostly measured by how often you need to reapply, and how easy/hard it will be to clean the gun later. I would not be afraid to use nearly any lube if it was all I could get my hands on in a class or during a range session, as I have had to in the past.

Synthetics (Group IV and Group III base stocks to a slightly lesser extent) usually have less volatility and will evaporate more slowly (storage/carrying) and 'burn off' when hot more slowly (while shooting). This isn't to say the base stock itself is 'better' necessarily in this specific parameter, but a function of base stock performance in conjunction with the total additive package. The synthetics usually have very good corrosion inhibition performance and tend to have robust detergent and dispersant packages to allow easier cleaning. As far as mechanical removal by slide cyling, it doesn't matter much what you use, enough slide cycles will remove the bulk of any lubricant.

In my experience, blowback actions like .22s tend to like a much thinner lube, especially in cold weather.

Greases tend to separate in storage, even when stored on your gun (see ASTM D1742-06 Standard if you need help sleeping). They can also adversely effect function in cold weather. I do not recommend them, but that is not to say they won't 'work' to a reasonable extent. It's just not an optimum application for that type of lube IMO.

An AR is a different animal, but that is beyond the scope of this thread.


Hope this helps.

[Chuck Haggard]

I really enjoy when a thread gets all sciencey and whatnot.


I tend to use whatever I have available, although lately a jug of Mobil1 and some needle oilers from Brownells have been my go-to choices.


I have "fixed" way too many choked M16s, 1911s and machine guns with either a squirt from a bottle of BreakFree CLP or some drippings off of a dip stick to worry about magic gun oils.

I have also noted that the blow back guns of smaller caliber do tend to bog down in cold weather when the lube is too heavy.


My carry guns have two lube states, my daily carry/going to shoot a few rounds amount of lube, and my at a class and going to burn lots of ammo extra lube added state.

[JBP55]

This is a post from a retired LEO who really believes in Mobil 1 20W50 oil as a gun lubricant. Not my post.



I have used M1 for well over ten years now, probably closer to thirteen truth be told, though I cannot give you an exact date, as a lubricant for both my personal firearms and my issued duty weapons each of which has performed faithfully and flawlessly ever since.

My issued sidearm has varied over those years where I have employed M1 20w50 as a small arms lubricant from a S&W 5906 (which I now own) to a SigSauer P226 to a Glock 17. Additionally, my issued Remington 870 and for the four years that I was assigned to our Special Operations Div., my issued MP5, was also so lubricated.

All of these duty weapons were lubricated exclusively with M1 20w50 and saw typical use ranging from sector assigned street patrol duty to Special Operations duty (warrant services for fugitives, methamphetamine labs and drug houses) depending on which period of my career in L.E. is being considered.

My issued weapons were exposed to all manner of environments and I never saw any rust or corrosion on any of them or suffered malfunctions due to the lubricant that I was using. In short, I have used M1 on all of them without issue or concern.

Now retired from the L.E. field, I still routinely carry a 9mm Glock 17 for CCW/personal defense (under LEOSA2004) purposes and it too, is lubricated with M1 20w50.

I have been on safari in Tanzania (Selous, just across from the Ruaha National Park on the Ruaha River) where I shot two Cape Buffalo, one of which charged from 60 meters out to within less than 15 feet of me before it finally fell after sucking up 7 solid hits as he came for me, from my .375 H&H and M1 did fine there even with the blowing dust and sandy grit.

I have been in Alaska on black bear hunts and M1 did fine there even when the rifle that I was using was damp with moisture that eventually froze on its exposed surfaces.

I have been on several hunts throughout the U.S. that occurred in varied terrains ranging from densely wooded areas to the plains (Montana) and M1 did fine there, too.

So I have (and always will) trusted my life several times to M1 and given the chance to do it over again, which I would happliy do, I'd still use M1.

[Aray]

This is a post from a retired LEO who really believes in Mobil 1 20W50 oil as a gun lubricant. Not my post.



I have used M1 for well over ten years now, probably closer to thirteen truth be told, though I cannot give you an exact date, as a lubricant for both my personal firearms and my issued duty weapons each of which has performed faithfully and flawlessly ever since.

My issued sidearm has varied over those years where I have employed M1 20w50 as a small arms lubricant from a S&W 5906 (which I now own) to a SigSauer P226 to a Glock 17. Additionally, my issued Remington 870 and for the four years that I was assigned to our Special Operations Div., my issued MP5, was also so lubricated.

All of these duty weapons were lubricated exclusively with M1 20w50 and saw typical use ranging from sector assigned street patrol duty to Special Operations duty (warrant services for fugitives, methamphetamine labs and drug houses) depending on which period of my career in L.E. is being considered.

My issued weapons were exposed to all manner of environments and I never saw any rust or corrosion on any of them or suffered malfunctions due to the lubricant that I was using. In short, I have used M1 on all of them without issue or concern.

Now retired from the L.E. field, I still routinely carry a 9mm Glock 17 for CCW/personal defense (under LEOSA2004) purposes and it too, is lubricated with M1 20w50.

I have been on safari in Tanzania (Selous, just across from the Ruaha National Park on the Ruaha River) where I shot two Cape Buffalo, one of which charged from 60 meters out to within less than 15 feet of me before it finally fell after sucking up 7 solid hits as he came for me, from my .375 H&H and M1 did fine there even with the blowing dust and sandy grit.

I have been in Alaska on black bear hunts and M1 did fine there even when the rifle that I was using was damp with moisture that eventually froze on its exposed surfaces.

I have been on several hunts throughout the U.S. that occurred in varied terrains ranging from densely wooded areas to the plains (Montana) and M1 did fine there, too.

So I have (and always will) trusted my life several times to M1 and given the chance to do it over again, which I would happliy do, I'd still use M1.

I completely agree.

[Aray]

My carry guns have two lube states, my daily carry/going to shoot a few rounds amount of lube, and my at a class and going to burn lots of ammo extra lube added state.

I also subscribe to this methodology. My first shot at a match or a class usually leaves a bit of lubricant specks on my glasses.

[cclaxton]

Has anyone tried PTFE embedded lubricants or dry-PTFE type lubricants on their pistols?
What was your experience.
The theory is that the PTFE will stay even after the petroleum component has evaporated.
See Tri-Flow.

CC

[Aray]

Has anyone tried PTFE embedded lubricants or dry-PTFE type lubricants on their pistols?
What was your experience.
The theory is that the PTFE will stay even after the petroleum component has evaporated.
See Tri-Flow.

CC

Dry lubes seem to underperform oil as a general pistol lube.

There is data that backs that up. If you compare the 4 Ball-Wear Test (ASTM D4172 and D2266) results of PTFE dry lube like WD-40 Specialist or Liquid Wrench Dry Lube to a high quality sythetic motor oil like Mobile 1 or Amsoil you'll find the dry lube scar sizes for dry lubes range from 1.2-2.5mm while many motor oils range from 0.35-0.6mm, Tri-Flow comes in at 0.5mm. The difference is substantial between wet and dry even when the pressure is very high and the oil is operating as a low efficiency boundary lubricant.

If PTFE is exposed to temps above about 400-500F pyrolysis can occur and produce hydrofluoric acid. I would definitely avoid it in the barrel, wet or dry. I have not seen any studies or evidence that have shown bore damage, that is just an opinion.

[jkurtz7]

I choose to lube my carry pistols with grease because it stay put, and doesn't creep from lubed parts/slide rails, or run out on to my holsters and clothing.

My EDC G26 has never failed due to being greased, nor has my Beretta 92 Vertec, or EG Makarov.

I've tried M1 in the past, it without question is good oil, but still doesn't stay put as well as I would prefer, so I quit using it. For parts that really need liquid lube, I use Tetra Lube, and it does actually stay in place rather well.

[JBP55]

If your lubricant is running from your gun onto your holster and clothes you should use less oil and probably a heavier weight. I have never had oil run from my pistols unto my clothes.

[campbed]

Didn't see Lubriplate (non-toxic and food grade safe) mentioned, this is my current upcoming experiment to move away from Mobile 1 synth.

Food for thought.

Why? = http://www.grantcunningham.com/lubricants101.html

GREASE:
current - Mobil 1 Synthetic http://www.amazon.com/Mobil-Syntheti...mobil+1+grease ($9.99 - lifetime supply)
experimenting - Lubriplate http://www.midwayusa.com/product/379...la=ProductDesc ($11.99 - lifetime supply)
retired - TW25B, Ballistol(yea I know...)
OIL:
current - Ballistol
experimenting - Lubriplate FMO 350 http://store.rsci.com/fmo-350-aw-oil-spray.html ($11.99 - lifetime supply)
retired - none
CLEANER:
current - Ballistol
experimenting - M-Pro 7 http://www.amazon.com/M-Pro-Cleaner-...+7+Gun+Cleaner
retired - none