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Synthetic Oil for Guns?

rhmc24
Synthetic lubricants are big in industry and arguably best for automobile engines. What about guns? Are synthetics in common use? How would synthetic motor oil be on guns? Synthetic oil recommended as best or otherwise? Info, comments, etc appreciated. Thanks
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7 comments

Date Votes
  • perry shooter
    the worst 2 oils you can use on firearms in my opinion are 3in1 and WD-40 all the rest are better to different extents. with that said I don't believe one oil can be the best for all uses. I mainly use 4 different lubes and also for longer Protection. I use Renaissance wax. My first choice is Ballistol for 95% of my guns This is a Synthetic.one good thing is this Product comes in two forms can and Spray Can. This stuff is Non Toxic Biodegradable and does not damage wood or leather like petroleum oils can.It protects very well for short term and you don't have to worry if it gets on your hands or even food. The second product I use for semi auto pistols for high volume.round count is FP10 this is also a Synthetic and I have been using it for many years in match pistols with high round count works very well in all temps and also keeps powder fouling from getting hard in semi auto parts. Make gun easy to clean after a match. I use Kroil for any signs of Rust and to dissolve Carbon fouling . I don't know what this stuff is but a great product. Last but not least is a MIX that has been around for many years in one form or another. It is 1/2 Marval Mystery oil & 1/2 STP. This is used on HIGH load areas where parts SLIDE barrel bushing and barrel and lower and upper locking lugs . I also put a drop on outside of trigger bow to act as a damping agent to smooth the trigger pull. OH I forgot I use a fifth product BORE BUTTER for all things on my Flint LOCK .I guess I use a whole gamut of products.
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  • beantownshootah
    There probably are some commercial gun products made using synthetic (or partly synthetic) components, though I can't name any off the top of my head.

    Some people have claimed good success using synthetic high viscosity motor oil as a gun lubricant.

    You figure if it can function well inside a 500+ degree racecar engine at 7000 rpm it "ought" to fine in just a "gun".

    Haven't tried it myself, but I suspect it would work fine.
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  • rhmc24
    Thanks to perry and beantown for thoughtful replies. I have used Marvel Mystery but about standardized on Kroil in the big spray can for penetrating, cleaning,etc. I have been using Rem Oil as a lube. Also tried dry lube which has not impressed me. Maybe I use it wrong. I made the mistake of letting dry and oil get together and it seems to create 'stick-tion' - slippery but clinging. Bad news on my Ceiner 1911 slide. I think I will buy a quart of Mobil 1 and use it for a while and check it out. I keep my guns in a 7x12 foot dehumidified room in the basement so I don't have a rust problem.
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  • Hawk Carse
    A friend gave me the empty gallon Mobil 1 jug after changing the oil in his truck. I drained off an ounce or two which will lube guns for a long time. It works as well as any other oil, the main thing being that you have to apply it. Guns don't have oil pans, pumps, or filters and if the lube isn't on the working surfaces, it isn't going to get there by itself.

    quote:At times I wished I had it on cold mornings.

    Fun anecdote: A coworker had a Renault 10 with a notably weak starter. In the Fall, he would change the oil and fill the sump with Mobil 1. In the spring, he would drain the Mobil 1, filter it through a chamois, and put it back in the can until next Fall. In warm weather he used petroleum. He discarded the petroleum at the Fall changeout, but he used the same batch of Mobil 1 for several Winters, as long as he kept the car.
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  • allechalley
    Synthetics have been around for a while Tri-Flow and Break Free CLP
    (which the military has used extensively). The main issue here in the north is fluidity in the cold as well as dry deposit of lube.
    Lucas (of truck and automotive fame) also markets a machine gun lube.
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  • rhmc24
    Hawk - thanks for revealing having to apply it. Seriously, I'm a believer in synthetic oil. Former SAE member I was in charge of maintaining several hundred vehicles in NYC area. Studies validated its merits but I didn't use it because there was no long life due to NY driver's demolition derby. I didn't use it in my own cars because the benefit would have been to the second or third owner. At times I wished I had it on cold mornings.

    I'll try Mobil 1. A quart of it costs only about twice that of a little gun oil.
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  • wpage
    Superior performance in extremes make synthetics more viable as time accepts their novelty. Dinosaur oils have their place but technology and time march on. Synthetics are here to stay.
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