Lube question from a new AR owner

[Sling10mm]

I use Breakfree CLP to clean and lube. Everything gets a thin film, except for the BCG, which gets a little more (wet but not dripping wet).

 

[KJQ6945]

This has been an interesting discussion.
Ultimately, I think it boils down to, there are a hundred ways to skin a cat. Doesn't matter how you do it, as long as you end up with the same result, and we are. We both want are guns to function as close to 100% percent of the time as we can get. We take different paths to get there, but we want, and achieve the same result.

 

[KJQ6945]

No flaming please!!! I have been using Balistol for cleaning and Hoppe's 9 oil for lubing in my pistols with great success ever since I first bought them. Are they considered low-end products, or are they just not good for ARs? I ask because neither product were mentioned even once in this entire thread.

I have no complaints with the Hoppes. It's not new and cool but it does the trick.

 

[Bfish]

No flaming please!!! I have been using Balistol for cleaning and Hoppe's 9 oil for lubing in my pistols with great success ever since I first bought them. Are they considered low-end products, or are they just not good for ARs? I ask because neither product were mentioned even once in this entire thread.

I really like Balistol! Really really like it!
I put Lucas Oil which is a lot cheaper than Balistol actually on my bolt and carrier when cleaning the gun. However if I feel like putting a little lube on the gun in between cleaning or before some shooting I'll usually spray balistol on it. Also if spray some form of cleaner in the lower on the pins/springs and everything to clean it out that strips the lube and junk off (shooting things suppressed some of the lowers seems to get filthy) I'll hit it with Balistol to get it all lubed up again.

I am also going to give some slip2000 a go at some point. All I hear are great things!

 

[Biff991]

Im sure others have said it but ill say it again. ar's like to run wet unless its so cold that your lube freezes but the brand of the lube dosent matter just use lots.

 

[M67]

If you're in an environment where your lube freezes, that's probably one of your lesser concerns. By that time you'd be a meat popsicle

 

[Doublehelix]

ar's like to run wet unless its so cold that your lube freezes but the brand of the lube dosent matter just use lots.

Wherever that is, I don't want to be there! If I ever gotta get deployed (doubtful at my age), I am hoping for somewhere like... um... Hawaii or the US Virgin Islands!

 

[Sniper 79]

I use whatever motor oil is on the shelf in my garage. Have all kinds of spray lube too.

Been using Aero Kroil to clean then a little motor oil to lube.

Have used all kinds of gun oils in the past and the best performing was a Teflon gun oil. Right now I cant justify spending any more money on lube when I have all kinds sitting around that will do the job just as good.

Like others have said it does not matter much what you use. Point is to keep your gun clean and care for it and it will care for you.

 

[sunman88]

Usually just ballistol, been using it forever.

 

[ATM]

Astroglide.

 

[padawan]

Astroglide.

Water soluble.

 

[6mm Shoot]

I use Mobil 1 5W-20. It's cheap and works great. Keeps rust away and I don't see any signs of wear on moving parts.

On the cleaning a firearm thing. I consider what it would cost me to replace the firearm and think that cleaning it is cheap insurance for being able to pas it down to my grand kids.

I can understand not taking the bolt apart every time you shoot a AR and not cleaning it, but the barrel is cleaned after every time I use mine. A barrel needs to be cleaned and something ran through it to protect it from rust. If you just put a couple shots through it and don't want to clean it till the next time you use it at least run a patch through it with some sort of oil to keep if from rusting. I know around here and in Florida if you don't clean them they will rust.

I know of a guy that destroyed a Red label by not cleaning the barrels.

 

[BigMoose]

I use the LSA white stuff in the green bottles from the Army.

 

[mammynun]

I usually wipe mine down after shooting, but it's more PMCS than actual cleaning. I've found I've been down a gas ring or two when the gun showed no outward signs when firing. I never do a full on "got to get this past the PSG and turned into the arms room" cleaning any more. Wipe, inspect, run a boresnake through it, lube, function check, and put it away. I'll skip cleaning all together it the slightest excuse, but I don't let it go too long... yes, "too long" is a highly scientific term.

As for lube I'm using Slip 2k ewl. When it runs out I'm going to try a 20w fully synthetic/Mobil 1, or as close to 20w as I can get. But I've been very pleased with Slip 2k except when I pay for it.

 

[Tom Threetoes]

This has been great discussion lots of info, thanks to all.

 

[Thegeek]

FWIW, Tri-Flo is a hell of a gun lube too.

 

[aspiringsnd]

I prescribe to the "let's make this as complicated as possible" way of doing things... I use home-made red oil -- 10W30, AT fluid, and Hoppes #9..... Lubes and helps keep the fouling reduced to a minimum... everything just wipes off.

Run an AR wet with red oil, and all your problems disappear... Unless you grew up with classic cars, and then you think you've blown a seal in the transmission when the AR gets hot.

 

[Doublehelix]

There is another thread over in the Gunsmithing forum where the consensus is that Weaponshield is the way to go. I have looked at a bunch of YOuTube videos, and I am very intrigued and impressed. I have ordered some to try out.

 

[rhino]

WeaponShield is good stuff. It's the direct descendant of FP-10, which is also an excellent lube and CLP that George Fennell created.

 

[Jackson]

I used high-temp wheel bearing grease at the last class I went to. I'll have to look in to this weapon shield that everyone likes so much.