What Lube do you use

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
21

I make my own lube and so far it has been the best for lubricating, rust prevention and break down of the high carbon build up on the bolt and rings.

I got the mix from a Force Recon buddy of mine while at a Spartan Tactical school taught by Jim Smith.

It is 2/3 diesel oil (rotel or delo 400 etc)
and 1/3 ATF (tranny fluid)

We have used it on our swat issued commandos full auto and that stuff will not fly off or dry up. It hangs on for the ride and cuts down the carbon build up from the detergents in the diesel oil. He said they used to use it on all the crew served weapons and never had any problems with it what so ever. Its all I use and a lot of other officers at my PD are now making their own also. I have used just about everything and this works the best in my opinion.

Just FYI here is another mix for Ed’s Red bore cleaner…

1 QT - ATF
1 QT - Mineral Spirits
1 QT - Acetone
1 QT - Kerosine (do not use alternate or camping fuel…its not the same)

This stuff makes a gallon a batch and will last you forever. I put it and the Recon mix in industrial plastic plant/household sprayers for heavy use at the range with big classes and after a year still have about a 1/4 gallon left.

I only use the recon mix for the internal moving parts and lube. If I need something a little heavier like on my Glock during a lot of high round count firing (3000+) I’ll put standard lithium grease on the slide rails and connector to keep it running without cleaning it for 4-5 days. For protecting the surfaces of my firearms I use something with teflon like CLP or Rem Oil in a spray can and give it a light coat then wipe it clean.

22

I’m currently using Friction Defense Gun Oil by Brownells. Haven’t used it long enough yet to really have an opinion.

23

I like TW-25B

24

You mean Robb J (gotm4) :wink:

25

Break Free with High Temp grease on the Cam Pin.

26

Weapon Shield. This was originally FP-10 when Walter Birdsong turned me on to it in the mid. 80’s. FP-10 is an entirely different animal these days.

27

CLP is a very poor choice for lube. It is also a poor cleaner.

C4

28

Not to flame you, but…

Weapon shield was not originally FP10 from what we have learned from the guy who invented both, and left the company he founded FP-10 at to begin making Weapon Shield. I forget his name but I think it’s George Fennel.? Great guy who has sent many of us free samples, and not just a little tube, but a full 1 Oz. bottle.

Weapon Shield is an upgrade from FP10 CLP and one of the best things about it from my trials was that is is heavier in viscosity, and doesn’t run all over the place like other CLP’s including Break Free and FP10. However, it is my understanding that both still have Teflon in them which has been reported to cause Liver problems.

Even though it’s an improvement, it still burns off faster than Machine Gunners lube, and doesn’t have the “Balls” that a good grease has like MD XF-7 to fight corrosion, friction, and aid in cleaning because carbon won’t stick to it. Both, Machine Gunners Lube and XF-7 clean up with soap, H2O, and a tooth brush. And no, they do not “Rinse Off” with water. The XF-7 specifically has been tested in boiling H2O and Salt Water torture tests etc. Here is the link: http://www.mdtactical.com/mdlabs/XF7.htm

I use a thin film of grease on the entire bolt, BCG, and raceways, and a heavier coat on the bolt and barrel lugs, then follow up with Machine Gunners lube on top of the XF-7. Some say that this is overkill, but I really want my gear to last, and this gives me peace of mind that it will last longer than just a CLP, SLIP, or Machine Gunners lube alone.

FWIW…I have used this regimen on my current LMT MRP upper from day one, and track every round, and maintenance related task that I perform. So far, the upper has been 100% reliable (with all my USGI, Thermold and PMAG magazines). I now have 6800 rounds on this upper, and it still passes the “Field Gauge” test by a wide margin with an LMT bolt that has ~4800 rounds on it (my back up bolt was used for the first 2,000 rounds), so I know that the lube choice is working on lug wear.

Other alternatives may work as well as YMMV, but I know mine is working.

29

Militec and Slip 2000.

I like both of those but to tell the truth I used CLP for years and years and never had a problem. And for 90% of the guys out there CLP will work just fine.

30

I make my own oil and cleaner.

31

T-dub has been my standard light grease, and Prolix for thin oil purposes (I also like their cleaner). However I’m open and ready to try new stuff, since I’m new to ARs, so it looks like XF7, Slip 2000, and that Machine Gunner’s stuff is up next.

32

I’ve found it to be moderately effective in carbon removal when allowed to soak. I tried it after a user by the name of QUIB on TOS did some carbon removal trials with it.

I’ll generally put a few drops into the exhaust ports on the carrier after shooting so that the carbon comes off easier when I get around to cleaning.

I tried Slip’s Carbon cutter and didn’t find it to do jack shit for carbon removal. :confused:

33

I’ve been using TW25B for my pistols and rifles although I’ve heard good things about Machine Gunners lube.

34

CLP does work (a little), but there are much better tools out there IMHO for both lube and cleaning.

The S2K carbon cutter does work, but you have to let it soak for AT LEAST 15 minutes.

C4

35

Been an Army guy since 1988 and CLP has served me well. I bought some Machinegunner’s Lube from Grant and have been using that. Works good too, but I can’t really compare it properly because I’ve only used it on one range session -vs- almost 20 years with CLP.

I’ll Google up Weapon Shield and see about getting that to try out.

36

WS is supposed to be better than BF CLP in every way. All I know is it rusts worse than CLP, I can’t test lubricity though. FEELS the same to me. I talked via e-mail with George about it and have decided that BF LP and RIG+P grease will suit me better. Try it though, I think it is better for lubricity than BF CLP, just b/c FP10 is and he is 1-upping FP10 supposedly.

37

Mobile One… left over(free) from the garage

38

TW-25B for me.

39

FP-10 for most things because that’s what I have stocked up on.

But, I also use Militec, Break-Free CLP, CorrosionX, and various greases (Militec grease, Wilson Combat grease, TW-25B) depending on my mood and what I’m doing . . .

Joe Mamma

40

Carbon…I don’t have no stinking carbon! :slight_smile:

Because I use MD XF-7 with machine gunners lube on top of it. Even on the cone of the bolt, and inside the carrier where everyone is always trying to get at it with dental tools etc…it all comes off…easily. And yes, it’s after several hundred rapid fire rounds with an occaisional drop of Machine Gunners lube in the bolt exhaust ports every 100 rounds or so.

I’m so anal that there is no way could accept the line that “carbon in certain areas is self limiting and that it’ll just brek off”. Gives me the Heeby Jeebies!