Gun Lube recommendations?

Discussion in 'Firearms' started by Jeff Brackett, Nov 13, 2013.


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  1. Jeff Brackett

    Jeff Brackett Monkey+++

    Didn't find anything already posted on the subject, and have seen some new products online lately. Have just used Hoppe's up to now, and went to get some more at the store but didn't pay attention to what I was getting and grabbed some bore cleaner. Not a big deal, but I still need to get some gun oil. Since I have to make a purchase anyway, I figured I would check to see if there is a big consensus on one leader over the others. Where I get my ammo is a big Froglube seller, and thought I might pick up some more ammo on the way home anyway. But as I recall, that stuff is about four or five times the cost of the old Hoppe's oil.

    So, anyone want to weigh in?
     
  2. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Hm. Well, I use Remoil in the spray can for oil lubing on the trap gun, it has worked well. A bit light, but works and is easy to renew. Remington grease, for some unremembered reason, doesn't suit me. For greasing, I've been using Tetra (the white stuff) on the trap gun trunnion. It's also a bit light, but works OK as a lube in bolt, pump and single shot guns, just needs renewal more often than I'd prefer, and really is way too thin for heavily used semi-autos. I've never used Hoppe's oils and greases, but ol' #9 is still the best overall bore cleaner I've tried over time. There are special cases, like copper (and plastic wad) fouling where #9 just isn't the right stuff. The Tetra copper remover is semi OK, but takes a LOT of scubbing. #9 is NOT a lube, uv cuss.

    Worth the mention, Tetra gun grease is a poor preservative, the components will separate in time into uneven protection. I don't think it's my imagination, but I've suspected for a while that it draws moisture; have had some very minor rusting of things I've used it on.

    In wayback times, I've used automotive chassis lube for grease and SAE 30 weight for oiling. (3in1 ain't too bad for "normal" temps.) Q-tip for the grease, eye dropper for the oil. Worked wonderfully, and I'm giving serous thought to going back that way. The additives in auto products are just exactly what metal parts like, they seek and find the hard to get at places, have to work in a huge range of temps that gun lubes don't necessarily see. The downside of the seeking additives is that they seek your hands and clothes, too. When it gets objectionable, hose off the hard parts with brake cleaner and start over.

    I'm pretty conservative and highly suspicious of the hype surrounding new products including Froglube, and refuse to be the stalking horse for them. Go with the tried and true. YMMV.
     
  3. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    Breakfree CLP= Cleans + Lubricates + Protects its what i have use for years, seems to work great. Not affected by our really hot or cold days.As long as you shake it before use, it works great.
     
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  4. Dont

    Dont Just another old gray Jarhead Monkey

    CLP has work good for me on my 1911's for years...
     
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  5. fmhuff

    fmhuff Monkey+++

    I have a number of high priced lubes but people I know say just use Mobile 1 synthetic motor oil.
     
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  6. Dont

    Dont Just another old gray Jarhead Monkey

    How about harley synthetic? Have that on hand all the time..
     
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  7. JABECmfg

    JABECmfg multi-useless

    Ditto that.

    Remoil is great stuff even if it is a little light, and Tetra makes some good products.

    One exception to the "tried and true" rule - trusting the Hoppe's name, I picked up some Hoppe's Elite cleaner and the stuff is awesome. It's like Remoil on steroids, not as light as Remoil and works as both a cleaner and lube for quick fixes. My limited experience with it (havn't had it very long) is that a couple quick squirts works pretty much instantly.
     
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  8. Byte

    Byte Monkey+++

    Ditto.

    I use RemOil on my pistols & bolts (10/22 also, Tetra is just too heavy for the light bolt) and Tetra Gun Grease on my gas guns (AK's & SOCOM II). If'n I were to pick up any kind of AR I'd step up to something a bit heavier than RemOil but still oil like rather than grease like. Probably Break-Free CLP.
     
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  9. Dawg23

    Dawg23 do or do not, there is no try

    i use remoil is all my firearms, works great, long guns, shotguns, pistols, and my AR. I do have a jar of the froglube, but have not taken time to apply it to a firearm and see how it does.
     
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  10. JABECmfg

    JABECmfg multi-useless

    You do realize that by saying that, we're all going to start bugging you now to try it and let us know how it works, right? clear. ;)
     
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  11. Jeff Brackett

    Jeff Brackett Monkey+++

    Thanks, everyone. Looks like I'll just stick with the Hoppe's then. Unless Dawg23 gives an amazing review of the Froglube. (hint, hint) ;)
     
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  12. Dawg23

    Dawg23 do or do not, there is no try

    its very tedious to apply the first time, you have to heat your gun parts to 120 degrees F and i have bought a cheapo hair dryer for that purpose, but, ive been saying for weeks i need to, but other items take my attention on the weekends. now that its cooling off, and rifle season hasnt started yet, this might be a good weekend to give it a go.
     
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  13. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

    Those who use CLP a word of warning... break Free is penetrant and can get into ammo through primers or loosely crimped rounds... I have a friend who had misfires as a result....

    for lube I use "Snail Snot" (Ask Sapper about it...) alternately graphite is also a great lube...
     
  14. natshare

    natshare Monkey+++

    Actually, there was a recent expose' on one of those super-duper rocket science gun lubes, that had sold for about 3 years, at a pretty high price for small squeeze bottles......and someone finally did the chemical analysis of this "snake oil" product, only to discover it was, in reality, nothing more than Mobil 1 Synthetic motor oil. Repackaged, and sold at a VERY healthy profit margin!!

    I usually use RemOil or Hoppe's for oil (though I am looking for a decent, small squeeze bottle that I can put some Mobil 1 into! LOL). For solvent, it depends on the time of year......if the windows are open, I'll go ahead and use Hoppe's. Otherwise, if the house is closed up (winter cold or summer heat), I've started using M-Pro 7. Not sure what it is about Hoppe's solvent, but the smell of it gets to me after a couple hours, if the house is closed up. M-Pro 7 has done just as good a job.....without the stench!
     
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  15. Pax Mentis

    Pax Mentis Philosopher King |RIP 11-4-2017

    I used Hoppe's for years until my wife banned it from even the basement as she swore the smell made her sick even when she was upstairs.

    Switched to Breakfree, but had problems with "high use" guns at times...especially in very warm weather.

    A couple years ago, a friend turned me onto Gunzilla (GUNZILLA - Home) and I have stuck with it...IMO, it's great stuff.
     
  16. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    I've heard that makes your guns smell like Potatoes.

    YMMV
     
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  17. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Lubriplate # 130-A
     
  18. Dont

    Dont Just another old gray Jarhead Monkey

    Better that than burning rice..
     
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  19. I am really liking the Frog Luve. I keep others (Hoppes, CLP, etc) on hand, but have not needed them...and it smells good!


    Sent from my Tactical Communication Device. ΜΟ;ΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
     
  20. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    :lol:
     
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