Lubricants/Cleaners

[HealthyGunz]

I usually use BreakFree CLP on my SIG P226 (and also soon on my new Ruger SP101) and only occasionally bust out Hoppes No. 9 for stubborn dirt. This method seems to work well for both cleaning and lubricating and I fire my gun several times per month so it gets a lot of upkeep attention from me.

However, I've really never used anything else and lately I've heard good things about a product called Ballistol, Super Lube Dri-Film and ProTecta. While Ballistol seems to be overpriced, it is supposedly environmentally and wood friendly. ProTecta, I have some personal experience with as it is the brand of choice for my employer's locksmith and one of our supervisors swears by it. ProTecta is also very reasonably priced and comes in precision-oiler form so each drop can be controlled. Also, I really like the high-quality aerosal and straw that ProTecta uses... The pressure can be adjusted and the straw is shorter and better for tighter areas, my BreakFree straw is a mess and comes off all the time. Then there's Super Lube Dri-Film which also claims to be the best all-around non-dust attracting lubricant. Super Lube can apparently be used on a wider range of materials than ProTecta, kinda like Ballistol.

The moral of the story is that every single one of these brands claim to be the best lubricant and I'm not quite sure which one to try... Are there any general guidelines to follow when choosing a firearms lubricant? All I can think of is that it should not attract lint/dirt, it should protect from rust, it shouldn't be overpriced, and it should lubricate the firearm... As I said, I currently use CLP and I'm having a hard time telling which of those other brands are 3-in-1s as well, though each of them seems to have at least some cleaning ability.

[BOFH]

Tons of good products out there. Kinda hard to go wrong these days. I like CLP and No. 9 for cleaning but I don't usually use CLP as a lube. I like to use grease on most things since it stays put and holds up great in storage, it also seems to make cleaning easier. I got some TW25 that works great. Its a thin grease. I'll also use synthetic automotive grease for some guns. The Gun Butter oil is good. I guess the only stuff I have used that I did not like was some dry lubes. Try a few things out and see what you like.

[DasBoost]

I've found that Breakfree CLP followed by M7Pro works well on my M&P. I was discussing this subject with an older guy at the VGS today and he recommended Butch's Bore Shine; he said it's pretty much a modern version of Hoppe's #9. I used a bit of Hoppe's from my uncle's old stash of cleaning supplies but never heard anything on Butch's. I'm hoping to maybe try one of the newer slide lubes that are more grease-like and see how they work out.

For the K31, I use white lithium grease and clean/reapply every 6 or 7 weeks.

[bsg]

run grease on your Sig rails. i use Tetra brand but there are several out there that will work.

[Cyc Wid It]

This is how you lube Sigs, don't take it from me, take it from an expert.

http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/908103701

[ireload]

This is how you lube Sigs, don't take it from me, take it from an expert.

http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc...35/m/908103701

I may try synthetic wheel bearing grease with moly. The one I have in my garage is rated up to 470 deg. F.

[Cyc Wid It]

This is the more updated and complete article as Scott now works at Apex:

http://www.apextactical.com/blog/index.php/random-apex/lubrication-of-sig-sauer-pistol-rails/

[Kinsel83]

I have some guns that just sit in the safe and don't always get the range time. Should I be tubing them with grease? And where can I buy it locally?

[The War Wagon]

WeaponShield!

Made right here in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, in the good ol' US of A. In fact, they're in the same industrial park, where my Goodyear dealer and mechanic are located - I get my car serviced right around the block from them!

I ran two introductory carbine instructionalals using it - save for one badly deformed case, that led to a FTE - my rifle ran like a top with it. One course was in January; it was 8 degrees outside. The other course was in late May, with temperatures in the upper '80's (and THAT'S when the FTE occurred!). No issues either time. I'm sold on it.

[HealthyGunz]

Well I prefer something that I can pick up local... I've had a lot of people tell me not to spend an arm and a leg on "special" gun oils because they are a waste of money; we already have metal lubricants and protectants that work just fine. I tend to believe this as there's a huge need for lubricant in today's society already, excluding firearms. That said, it doesn't mean that I would use WD-40 or motor oil on my guns but I've heard plenty of old-timers tell me that they've been using a simple motor grease/oil on their guns for several decades with no issues.

I saw Scott's advice, but I don't know Scott. Maybe some of you guys do... I read that he's a pistolsmith though so I assume he knows what he's talking about. When I first got my gun, the advice I was given by multiple people was to not over-lubricate it, as that can cause problems and just make a mess. I'm quite surprised about how much grease he puts on those rails, in my experience, all of that will just end up coming out the back and making a mess when the action is worked. I don't usually put that much grease on, but I do leave a coating of CLP on. Is there really a big difference between CLP/other spray lubes and grease? I usually use TW25B but it's running out and once again, it's hard to find and expensive.

[glock_this]

I use Mobile oil on my AR's... no joke

[Call_me_Tom]

I use ATF for lube & anti-seize for grease on all of my pistols, revolvers, rifles & shotguns.

[CHS]

Before doing anything or buying new products, read this link:

http://www.grantcunningham.com/lubricants101.html

Then, read it a couple more times.

I'm with Tom. I run ATF for lube on most things and Lubriplate FGL as my grease on rails and whatnot.

[Cyc Wid It]

Well I prefer something that I can pick up local... I've had a lot of people tell me not to spend an arm and a leg on "special" gun oils because they are a waste of money; we already have metal lubricants and protectants that work just fine. I tend to believe this as there's a huge need for lubricant in today's society already, excluding firearms. That said, it doesn't mean that I would use WD-40 or motor oil on my guns but I've heard plenty of old-timers tell me that they've been using a simple motor grease/oil on their guns for several decades with no issues.

I saw Scott's advice, but I don't know Scott. Maybe some of you guys do... I read that he's a pistolsmith though so I assume he knows what he's talking about. When I first got my gun, the advice I was given by multiple people was to not over-lubricate it, as that can cause problems and just make a mess. I'm quite surprised about how much grease he puts on those rails, in my experience, all of that will just end up coming out the back and making a mess when the action is worked. I don't usually put that much grease on, but I do leave a coating of CLP on. Is there really a big difference between CLP/other spray lubes and grease? I usually use TW25B but it's running out and once again, it's hard to find and expensive.

He was a long time smith at the leading Sig Sauer shop in the world, and now works at Apex, one of the leading M&P shops. Many would argue that Gray Guns probably knows more about Sig Sauers than the company itself. You work the action and wipe off the excess...

[black_hawk06]

" eds red gun cleaner "

make it yourself
1-part acetone
1-part kerosene
1-part atf
and some lanolin research this realy cheap to make clean and protects