WD-40

[DevilDawgJJ]

Cleaning out the closet and came across some of this. The can say's prevents rust for firearms, ect...

Any reasons why I shouldn't use this? At least just "on" the barrel.

I do have a can of Break Free....

Thoughts??

Semper Fi

[BigDogatPlay]

The WD stands for "water displacing". Don't use it inside your bore, chamber or mag tube as it can penetrate primers and render the ammo dud.

WD-40 is not a lubricant, it is something of a preservative. I do use it in light coats as a rust inhibitor on the outside of some of my blued guns. If your gun is parkerized or phosphated, it will not take the place of a light coat of oil in keeping that coating up to snuff.

Break Free is a lubricant with a bit of preservative quality. I have used it with good success on pistols, rifles and shotguns. I've long used it on the rails of my semi-autos when I am going to carry one or put it away after a cleaning largely because it doesn't attract dirt like grease will in long term (think LEO) holster carry. I find it also works very well in revolvers on bearing surfaces. If I am going to be doing a bunch of shooting with a semi-auto, I'll grease the rails but for everyday use and carry, Break Free does it's job.

There are, likely, better products that are newer, but Break Free has always worked well for me.

[Saym14]

I found an old can in my garage, the can is .....rusted !

[BigDogatPlay]

I found an old can in my garage, the can is .....rusted !

On the inside?

[Vlad 11]

^^^agreed .. WD-40 is o.k. for a lot of uses but for all those uses there is something better. Personally, I'll use WD-40 as a mild solvent, my favorite use for it is removing sticker/tape adhesive residue. As far a guns go , its pretty good at dissolving cosmoline.

[gunboat]

WD-40 like was said above won't hurt, but plain old kerosene is much cheaper for the same result.

[Zonie]

Cleaning out the closet and came across some of this. The can say's prevents rust for firearms, ect...

Any reasons why I shouldn't use this? At least just "on" the barrel.

I do have a can of Break Free....

Thoughts??

Semper Fi

WD-40 dries to a hard lacquer-like finish and, over time, will build up and gum up your action, especially if it's semiauto.

You're much better off with CLP.

Actually, the best stuff is Eezox. Check out this test someone did:

http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

Heretofore, I've always used Break-Free CLP, but after reading this, I will now be buying Eezox instead.

[bsg]

I found an old can in my garage, the can is .....rusted !

odd... i believe that has happened to me as well in the past.

[DevilDawgJJ]

Yeah, I'll have to try some of that.

I use the WD-40 for all my door hinges in the house. Nothing worse than waking your kids up late at night, just to check on them, and then they don't go back to sleep because they heard you.....


Semper Rust Free....

[drunktank]

My FIL swears by this stuff and used it for his "clp" needs for the past 25 years or so. No rust and few jams on his guns till this day. I think the lack of rust is greatly helped due to our location in so cal (low humidity). Anyhow that being said, my guns feel smoother than his with my breakfree and tetra grease. I would use wd-40 on my guns,given a choice. I see a lot of elevator parts at work rusted or gummed up when someone used on wd-40 to lube it before me.

[drunktank]

Ugh can't edit my post with a phone. Meant to say I WOULDN'T use it given a choice.

[aippi]

WD 40 is a fish oil formula. It works great for spraying on your bait but don't let DNR catch you. It is as stated above a water displacing formula. I would never use it on metal parts of a firearm as it is not that kind of lubricant and there are dozens of other thinks out there that would work better. Heck 3 in1 oil works better if that is all you have.

What WD 40 is great for is cleaning synthetic stocks. Makes them look showroom new. Just spray the stock down, rub and wipe off. You will think you have a new stock.

[hattles]

35 years ago WD-40 was the goods. Not ant more. Don't use it, there is so much better stuff available today. As a rust inhibitor it sucks, it just displaces the moisture and will gum up easily.

[bigthaiboy]

The simple answer is, WD-40 is only 15% light lubricating oil. The remaining 85% is solvent and propellant.

Even as a lubricant for bicycles or door hinges, it is a poor choice, because it breaks down much faster than regular lubricating oil. You would be much better off using 3-In-One Oil (same company as WD-40), if you are looking for a low-cost household oil to use as a rust inhibitor.