I’ve read with Breakfree CLP it is not meant to stay on a firearm for a long time before the firearm is fired. For example, if used to lube a gun, then a few months pass by, the gun should be lubed again before firing. Is that true with LSA (Lubricating Oil, Semi-fluid) as well? Another way to phrase the question is which stays on longer?
CLP’s oils evaporate faster than LSA, and I typically relube before shooting. OTOH, I also knock any dust of of the bore immediately before shooting too, so I’m probably being paranoid.
The antiwear additives that are usually used don’t typically evaporate, and would provide some wear protection even if you shot the weapon w/o it being wet.
My normal gun oil, Aeroshell Fluid 18*, evaporates (w/o leaving any varnish or residue) in about 6 weeks or so. I haven’t had any troubles after using it for the past 6 years or so, even shooting corrosive ammo in the rain in Oregon.
H
*And apparently it’s no longer stocked by my favorite vendor, Skygeek. Royco 308CA meets the same spec as the AS18, and is $34/gallon from Skygeek: http://www.skygeek.com/anderol-308-1gl-royco-308ca-preservative-oil-gal.html
They have Royco CLP too: http://www.skygeek.com/anderol-634-1gl-royco-634-cleaner-preservative-lube-1-gal.html
I use LSA as a general lube agent, with the good results you’d expect. I also use CLP, but mostly as a cleaner. In summer time I run with Castrol Syntech 50 wgt. oil for lube. Awesome stuff!
LSA (Lubricant, Semi-fluid, for Automatic Weapons) is a single-function lube. It was originally envisioned and used for machineguns to include the 50 cal and 7.62 minigun used at high altitudes in the cold on aircraft. Consider the high rotation and firing rate of the minigun and yes, you’d probably want the machine to work well while lubed at either high or low rate of fire.
CLP is a compromise to do three things, none well. Logisticians can put one item on a pallet and ship anywhere without stocking, shipping, tracking, and issuing two items.
LSA is still carried in the US supply system and in .mil weapons pubs. A 1-quart can bought from a surplus store can last a single user decades.
Thanks for the post. It got me thinking maybe CLP is good for a carry gun that is periodically cleaned and re-oiled even if not shot often. Dirt would come off easily since the lube is a cleaner as well. A person can wipe the firearm down with a rag, even without first putting on CLP, then put on a thin coating of CLP.
I’m curious which is a better lube, without considering cleaning or corrosion protection, Aeroshell 18 (aka PL-S), or CLP.
From looking at the tech data sheets for Aeroshell, Royco 308CA, and Royco CLP, the CLP has the smallest 4 ball wear test scar number, followed by the 308CA, then the Aeroshell Fluid 18. Smaller wear scars are better.
H
Good information.
My guess is that LSA would beat them all.
This spec sheet indicates that LSA is allowed to have a wear scar pf 0.5mm in the 4 ball wear test: http://everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL-SPECS-MIL-L/MIL-L-46000C_38845/
That’s better than the AS18, but not quite as good as the 308CA or CLP.
H
I’ll never understand why folks who aren’t limited to certain items by supply and logistics issues would use piss poor lubricants in their personally owned weapons.
Using LSA in an AR15 when Fireclean, Froglube, Slip, and others are available at the click of a mouse? It’d be like building your own top fuel dragster but using JP-8 (or running 9mm Ball in your carry gun) because it’s Mil-spec.
Exactly. These are the good ole days of lubricant technology.
Nice.
I will Have To Try The Heavier Stuff. I Generaly Use Amsoil 10-30. Maby I Will Start Using The Stuff I Put In My Bike. 20w-50. I Always Add A Small Amount Of Synthetic Tranny Fluid Because Of The Deturgents It It… Been Doing It For A Long Time With Excelent Results.
IMHO if you lube and clean regularly it really doesn’t matter what you use.
I have been using CLP for a while and recently wanted to change due to many of the factors brought up in this thread.
The motor oil method is very intriguing and probably the best from the outside looking in since I haven’t given it a shot yet.
I think in the days before CLP, the military used to clean with a dedicated cleaner, then put on PL-S (one of the oils discussed above). When it was time to shoot, then they would lube with LSA (I think). Question: Did they take off the preservative (PL-S) first, or just add the LSA?
Don’t mean to jack the thread but has anyone ever used Plastilube? ATE 700015 Plastilube Lubricant - 75 ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VXPY2M/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Q8KHub0CQ44W0
When I bought my Garand from CMP, it was recommended by the care guide on the CMP website. Has a vaseline-like consistency. I used it on the contact areas of the bolt and rails before putting it in the safe, but haven’t shot it yet so don’t know about it’s wear or lasting time, but it seems to nicely slick up the action.
That being said, I tend to use CLP the most.
Last summer I attended a 2 day CQB clinic put on by someone I know.
His weapon of choice, which he gives courses on is the M14 rifle.
He was giving out little syringes filled with Lubriplate 130-A.
My shooting partner used this on his AR-15.
That afternoon we were laying in the dirt, ejection port facing the ground shooting in the modified prone position.
Needless to say many of the rifles lubed with grease were beginning to fail.
My Noveske lubed with Militec-1 run slightly wet didn’t miss a beat.
I heard good things about Militec-1, too. Especially in the desert.
It is a very good lube in my experience. But it didn’t do much for me in Florida in terms of rust prevention. In fact, it didn’t do much at all. But it was really slick.
Lubriplate 130-A and Plastilube are outstanding lubricants for parts of the M1 Garand and M-14. They help reduce wear on parts unique to these weapons and not found on the AR. I would not use either lubricant on an AR.
There are countless ways to keep an AR running. I like to use Mobil 1 full synthetic motor oil and keep my AR wet.
You had me on the meaning of the acronym LSA. Years and years ago when I was on active duty, I thought it stood for Lubricant, Small Arms.