Advise which grease I should use....

AR/M4 AR Technical Discussion
1

Dont have Aeroshell

Two options available.

Engine Assembly lube (w/ moly and graphite) which is lithium based containing molybdenum disulfide and is E.P. similar to what Aeroshell states.

Or…

Permatex Copper anti seize lubricant. Says eliminates galling and seizing and withstands temps up to 1800 Farenheit.

Which one do I use Gents?

2

For what? Barrel assembly?

I’m on Team Antiseize.

3

Sorry. Yes. Kind of important.

Barrel assembly.

4

Some people are anal about having to use Aeroshell but I’ve always used the copper antiseize without any issues.

5

If you don’t plan on swimming with the rifle anything will probably work. One purpose of the spec grease is to discourage electrolysis between dissimilar metals. I am not sure I would use copper based anti seize if I ever planned to remove the barrel nut. Maybe someone with a metallurgy background will chime in.

6

I removed many with it on. No issues. Copper antiseize has been used on steel threaded spark plugs in aluminum heads for decades. I’ve even used the nickel stuff until I ran out of it. The bad thing about antiseize is the crap gets everywhere.

7

One thing I’ve heard (and don’t have the science or explanation behind it) is to avoid grease with graphite in it for upper assembly. Something about the graphite is unhappy with aluminum…but I don’t know much more than that. Take that for what you will.

8

+1 for antiseize.

9

If you like Anti-Seize, and want something easier to apply, Loctite makes their Copper and Silver anti-seizes in a stick applicator (think glue stick). Makes keeping it handy a lot easier, and applying a lot less messy.
Copper Anti-Seize Stick: http://amzn.to/15fjUxL
Silver Anti-Seize Stick: http://amzn.to/1ymXFTV

Also…if you’re like me and can’t keep track of your Loctite blue to save your life, wind up WAY overusing it because you cut the tip too large, or generally just aren’t a fan of the liquid…they make blue and red Loctite in the same stick applicator. That is one of those things that I wish I had found years ago.
Blue: http://amzn.to/1uaxRIU
Red: http://amzn.to/1Aq5IdG

Hope this helps!

10

Why not just buy a small tube of aeroshell from one of our members for well under ten bucks? Then you won’t have to wonder if you’ll be able to disassemble it later, or have a stress fracture.

11

Thanks Gents. I’ve been dying to assemble this thing for weeks and had planned on doing so tomorrow. Not sure if I should wait or not. Hmmmm

12

I’ve used Permatex Anti-Seize
http://www.permatex.com/products-2/product-categories/lubricants/specialty-lubricants-anti-seize/permatex-anti-seize-lubricant-detail

Readily available at hardware stores.

13

I’m with team anti seize as well. Just had this delivered 2 days ago: $10.99 for 8 ounces of the stuff!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006Q7H36/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1421460896&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

14

Or galvanic corrosion. Dissolve something!

I think the right stuff is moly disulfide?

http://www.skygeek.com/5067068.html

15

I’ve been waiting for the retarded “galvanic corrosion” comment. :rolleyes:

Do you realize how many applications antiseize is used in conjunction with dissimilar metals all over the world?

Newsflash: ARs are not some special snowflake that has to be assembled with only Aeroshell. ARs are also not the only application where steel meets aluminum.

16

I switched from Permatex just because the silver stuff is a bear to clean out of tight spots and really shows compared to Aeroshell. But then I’m a slob who gets it everywhere. YMMV.

17

Haha. So true. It is hard to wipe it clean too!

18

I have been using Loc-tite C5-A anti-seize lubricant for probably 10 years. Amazingly enough nothing has self destructed and is working just fine.

19

I began using Brownells 083-050-100 Barrel Assembly Paste a number of years ago with great success.

http://item.brownells.com/brands/brownells/barrel-assembly-paste.htm

20

I’m not saying it won’t work. What I, specifically, am saying is, “Why roll the dice?”

There’s a perfectly good lube that is known to work in all environmental conditions and one can get a lifetime supply in a tube for ~$16. There’s a member here that sells small portions for well under half that, shipped, on the EE. I just don’t understand the desire to leave anything to chance.

Now, I don’t question Gunz at all. When any of you other forum members have assembled half as many war horses as he has, you can justify your own choice.

Can somebody find the guy on the EE to help out the OP? I’m having no luck on my phone.