A while back I got a Colt .38 Super Auto. I had always wanted one, don’t know why, just because. I got a decent deal on it and intended it for a range/competition piece. I never wanted to heavily modify it, no race guns here just practical modifications to make it better suit my needs. So a new set of sights, a slightly extended mag release and a modest bevel of sharp edges with refinish is as far as I went.
I was impressed with it’s accuracy and smooth function. It also was reliable with my initial reloads and factory stuff. So I decided to do an extended round count test. Since I was using Froglube I lubed it up before testing. It ran gang busters to about 750 rounds then began to experience failure to go into battery. I thought maybe my loads were a little weak along with a weak recoil spring. So I increased the power level of my loads and replaced the RC with a factory standard #14 [I had been using a #9]. Now at about 1000 rounds it is getting sluggish return to battery once again. The lube has become a pasty consistency and I think slowing down the slide return stroke.
My gunsmith once a fan of Froglube is no longer and recommends a return to more conventional lubricants. I was trying to get to 2000 rounds but I may have to clean the pistol and try again with traditional lube. I used to use Enos Slide Glide and Mobil 1.
Anybody else have a similar experience with Froglube or other lubricants? I realize a 1911 is a more lubrication sensitive design compared to modern pistols.
I have heard the same about Froglube turning gummy. They have changed their formulation to either a plant or vegetable based product and it is failing to perform as it once did. They have screwed up a good thing. If you look at their instructions you must now use their solvent prior to applying Froglube and during the winter or long term storage (WTF!).
I have an old series 70 and an Ed Brown. The series 70 is very finicky on lubes. I have tried and like the Seal-1 stuff http://www.seal1.net. It is way better than even the original Froglube once was. It is a true CLP. No other degreasers, solvents, oil or grease is needed. It’s the only product I use now.
Froglube gets gummy after a while, as does FireCLEAN. For 1911s I’ve started to use Wilson Ultima Lube II on the rails, and FireCLEAN to clean and lubricate everything else. The Wilson grease smoothes .45 recoil impulse and makes for flawless function even in temperatures hovering around freezing. I used to use FireCLEAN exclusively but found it to be too thin to adequately lubricate the full rails on my 1911s.
That’s what I like about the Seal-1 product. I don’t need one product for this and one for that. I clean it, wipe if off and it’s good to go. If you conceal carry and sweat, it also prevents corrosion. I save time & money. All things that are better spent on shooting!
Fireclean was ok. It was pricey. I stuck the series 70 in the freezer for 48 hours (unloaded) with a treatment of Seal-1. Operated flawlessly.
I find the right amount in the right places and things run fine the type of lube is immaterial. I am not a cleaning nazi but would not lube a gun ad see if it can go 2000 rounds between cleaning or relubrication. Just no need to. My current -911’s run great but after every few hundred rounds lube the critical points. Not dripping wet, maybe 8-10 drops to lube the whe gun.like many other things it is not what you use but how you use it
I use Slip 2000 EWL. Works great, doesn’t gum up and is minimally affected by temperature extremes. Just keep it lubed and don’t run it dry. Any regular gun oil will work just fine but it will dry up quicker then specialized lubricants.
This thread is interesting as I’ve noticed my WC CQB-E feeling gummy on FireClean. The gun runs flawlessly, but I’ve wondered why the resistance compared to everything else I use FireClean on.
I’ve been told by others/experienced first hand that with FireCLEAN if you store firearms with it accumulated on the metal then the product gums up. The simple fix that I was told to use was to effectively wipe the gun dry of you’re storing it for extended periods of time.
FWIW: & FYI:
What I’ve used for the last 8+yrs is ZMAX, the reason why is because it is “Supposed to Soak into the metal” Interesting thing is, (well to me anyhow is)
I’ve Never had an gun oil issue and my Slides, My Slides operate so smooth, I have to LOL sometimes because they feel like they are on Roller Bearings!!!
Now, shooting as long as I can without cleaning and lube… The thought has never entered my mind… I do however Love seeing how these thing go for other folks, it’s just as much as I shoot, some of you guys BLAST away in a month what I’ll shoot in a year. (^_-)
ZMAX is he ONLY lube I’ve used on any and ALL my Handguns, Rifles & Shotguns and I have never seen any of them getting gummy!
So hey, 19852… Think about it ej,… Maybe give your gun(s) a try with some ZMAX, just clean it real good first of the other lubes…? I would love to hear how it works for someone who Shoots ALOT!
Froglube is pure trash, never been around Fireclean.
I’ve been using Slip 2000 EWL and EWL 30 for a few years (on all handguns and ARs) and it has been fine in everything from mid 20’s to about 110. I never have to clean it off and it does not gel or gum up even when stored in a non climate controlled storage container.
If I didn’t have access to Slip, Automatic transmission fluid and Lubriplate #105 engine assembly lube would be my second choice.
Been running Slip 2K on my TRP, as well as everything else, for quite some time now with no issues either shooting or storing with it. Have not used Fireclean and only have experience with Frog lube through a friend who has not had any issue with it in his AR. Personally don’t see need to switch from Slip though, it has worked, relatively cheap and I have enough to last me probably six years or more at the moment.
I used to use Slip and it worked well but dried out faster than I liked. I’ve been using Fireclean for at least a year with great results, to include on my 1911. All of my guns had a high round count firing session, had lubed poured on them, and then sat from May to November. They were still well-lubed without gumming or rust or anything else bad.
CQB-E here in 9mm. At the range this Saturday it started feeling slugglish after 50 rounds and not feeding properly. I could feel it also while manually racking the slide. Disassembled it and lubed (again) with Lucas extreme duty gun oil. Worked fine for the rest of the day. Gave it a thorough cleaning when I got home.
On the advice of Steve Morrison at Mars Armament, I just started using 30 weight moble one.
Prior to that I was using Break free on small parts and grease on the rails.
Trigger and trigger track dry. Just a tiny bit on the back of the trigger where it contacts.
No lube on firing pin and tunnel.
I’ve used FireCLEAN, Slip2000, Breakfree CLP and M-Pro7 on my guns. I like FC the best, but found it to be pretty “runny,” especially on my 1911. I am currently giving the Lucas Extreme a Duty Gun Oil a try. I really like this stuff so far! Stays where you put it and a little goes a long way. It all doesn’t run all over the gun after it’s been shot a bunch.