White lithium on firearms

[jcwit]

A firearm is really nothing like an engine it's more like a car door hinge. Going back and forth, back and forth etc... Guess what works best there grease.

Oils can and will turn to peanut butter thick sludge. Many a hunter can tell you about it.

If your firearm is getting cold enough that it could freeze you should run it dry.

Tell that to the servicemen who fought in Korea, in the winter. A service rifle NEEDS grease.

 

[bonzaiberger]

A Mk-19 specifically calls for grease and not oil. But that is a belt fed grenade launcher with big heavy parts. For whatever its worth, its a real pain to clean in the sand box! lol

 

[engineerpower]

I believe it uses a blowback operation, so it doesn't has as much *oomph* as a gas-operated weapon. Hence the unusual application of grease. Just one of those things you hate to have, but love when you need it! It's astounding the amount of destruction a single combatant can wreck with a steady stream of HEDP.

With the M1- series, I think there's a fair bit to do with the dogleg-edness of the Op Rod producing lateral forces that need the grease. Modern weapons keep the forces in the bore direction for the most part, so this need in allieviated mostly. At that point it becomes a balancing act between environmental aggravation, acceptable smoothness, and wear.

 

[Leo]

M1 and M14 rifles were designed to use grease not oil for lube. White lithium grease was used during WWII because it did not wash off in rain. It tends to harden and gum up so a new grease was developed after the war. A brown, non lithium grease it remains soft a does not gum even in cold temperature. I have two 8 oz cans of it...marked grease, rifle.

+1, I grease 1911 slides also. Worked for 75 years, so it can't hurt.

 

[Leo]

If your firearm is getting cold enough that it could freeze you should run it dry.

Before the environmental people got up in arms, sperm whale oil was the standard for hunters in severe artic conditions. I have hunting friends that say the fish oil you get out of vitamin E capsules are the hot ticket.

I have oiled (other peoples, My stuff is ready before I leave the house) shotguns in the field with drops off the dipstick of my engine or transmission. If something is binding, any oil beats no oil.

 

[red_zr24x4]

+1, I grease 1911 slides also. Worked for 75 years, so it can't hurt.

All my semi auto pistols get grease on the rails

 

[Drail]

Bunch of greasers on here.

 

[Robjps]

Tell that to the servicemen who fought in Korea, in the winter. A service rifle NEEDS grease.

I understand what you saying, But i doubt many of us run around with Garand actions in the winter. Pretty much every modern firearm will run just fine dry.

 

[jcj54]

I understand what you saying, But i doubt many of us run around with Garand actions in the winter. Pretty much every modern firearm will run just fine dry.

You have never seen the damage to an M1 op rod from running dry...
I have. Expensive lesson..

 

[Tactically Fat]

The real answer:

Use what you want to use.

 

[Robjps]

You have never seen the damage to an M1 op rod from running dry...
I have. Expensive lesson..

/Facepalm

Like i said i doubt many of us are running around with Garand actions in the winter. But most of what we are carrying will run just fine dry.

 

[red_zr24x4]

Keep running your stuff dry, I'll keep using my grease

 

[looney2ns]

I have a relative that has been into guns for 50 years. Has shot A LOT of ammo. I've asked him what he's used. His answer was, what ever 30 weight motor oil I have handy. Never had an issue.

 

[USMC-Johnson]

I'll throw my .02 in the ring and see what you think.

As for the engine transmission analogy i would disagree. That is a closed system that circulates the oil around so you dont lose any. Grease will not gum up if you use good grease. I personally run slip 2000 EWG which is rated down to -100 degrees however i've only been able to bury a gun in the snow for 20-30 minutes before i wanted to shoot so i probably got it down to 0 degrees or so. It still functioned fine. I have not been able to make it run either like you get with just about every oil.

 

[cosermann]

... sperm whale oil was the standard ...

^^ This is what I use for everything.

If it's good enough for NASA it's good enough for me.

 

[munch520]

KY. Every time.

ETA: wrong forum

The real answer:

Use what you want to use.

This is almost as heated as the synthetic vs non-synthetic debates on the car forums.

In my experience, in high round counts and suppressed use grease can get 'gummy'. I love MPro7 and the lighter Slip2000s. We're talking $7-8 at Walmart for a good-sized bottle...to lube a $1-3,000 gun in some cases. The 'skimping' ship has sailed if you're trying to cut corners with lube lol. Just my $0.02.

 

[palerider0485]

when you buy a glock new they have a red grease on the frame rails and slide. the grease seems similar to lithium. grease works fine so dos oil. i use both. i use both sparingly.

 

[tradertator]

I usually use a thin layer of white lithium inside my AK's on the rails and contact points, and synthetic motor oil on my other stuff that doesn't run as hot. Never had any issues.

 

[engineerpower]

At least we haven't gotten into the synthetic vs. conventional debate yet...

 

[Robjps]

I have a relative that has been into guns for 50 years. Has shot A LOT of ammo. I've asked him what he's used. His answer was, what ever 30 weight motor oil I have handy. Never had an issue.

Works but i don't really like breathing burning motor oil every range trip.