Gun oil vs Motor Oil on your guns

[TerryP]

I generally use an oil to coat the parts to help prevent rust and get some lube to everything.
I use grease to lube any parts that need lubricant that works and stays in place.

 

[turkeyrun]

I reiterate! Best do your homework on heat and freezing temps on what ever you use!

Motor oil of any type won’t cut it! Even synthetic motor oil does not handle the heat that a AR produces.

I have used Rem Oil for 40 years. Mobil 1 on 1911 rails.

Change my truck over from Mobil 1 to AMSoil, 4-5 years back. Dealer tried to sell me the AMSoil GUN CLEANER and LUBE. (2 seperate products) I asked what was different than the motor oil?

His answer, "they are both are full synthetic, the gun oil protects to a much higher temperature. The gun oils differ between cleaner and protection. They studied, tested and tried; clean, lube and protect comes down to, which 2 do you want?

I bought all 3, motor and both gun oils. Very satisfied with all 3.
On the flip side, I haven't had problems with any oil. Keep them clean (most important) and lube with you have.
Papa bought a Rem M-11 in 1923 (Browning A5 copy). Never used anything but Singer sewing machine oil on it. He shot 3-4 cases (80 boxes) of shells per year.
I have a small, needle tip can of Singer oil. I used on single action revolvers.

Many article and long discussions on oils, gun oils and snake oils. Some may be slightly better, most is just arguing points.

 

[JoeUSooner]

Many years ago, I attended college classes conducted by a chemist - an impressive individual who developed several products for Dow Chemical and Mobil Oil. He once told me that any common transmission fluid would lubricate a firearm very nicely. No reason to doubt him, so when I tried it... it worked! Last year, at a class on AR-15 maintenance the instructor (without being asked) mentioned using transmission fluid, too.

I've used transmission fluid for decades now. Simple... easy to use and economical. I think the first little pint bottle I bought was Delco - a major brand even back then. No problems of any kind, with any of my weapons.

Note: I've fired more than 35,000 rounds through my current EDC - an XD9 Mod2, which is still functioning perfectly (only replacement part has been the recoil spring, at 30,000 rounds).

 

[CHenry]

Many years ago, I attended college classes conducted by a chemist - an impressive individual who developed several products for Dow Chemical and Mobil Oil. He once told me that any common transmission fluid would lubricate a firearm very nicely. No reason to doubt him, so when I tried it... it worked! Last year, at a class on AR-15 maintenance the instructor (without being asked) mentioned using transmission fluid, too.

I've used transmission fluid for decades now. Simple... easy to use and economical. I think the first little pint bottle I bought was Delco - a major brand even back then. No problems of any kind, with any of my weapons.

Note: I've fired more than 35,000 rounds through my current EDC - an XD9 Mod2, which is still functioning perfectly (only replacement part has been the recoil spring, at 30,000 rounds).

Well there we have it, from a Chemist.

 

[El Pablo]

Corrosion protection is the only reason I use something other than transmission or motor oil. I’ll use it in guns I use at least monthly.

I use hornady one shot in all the stuff that will see elements or sit a while.

scroll past all the comments Comprehensive Corrosion Test: 46 Products Compared | Day At The Range

 

[busterheiney]

Maybe we overanalyze things. I understand there are definitely scientific differences between different type of lubricants. But at the end of the day if ya keep your gun clean, lightly oiled, and used/handled regularly you will be fine. Regardless of what products you use. Hell even mineral oil or olive oil could suffice in a pinch lol

I worked with the Saudi military during Desert Storm. They cleaned and lubed their H&K MP 5's with Wesson corn oil. Rust really wasn't an issue due to the dry climate, but those things ran smooth!

 

[Camo]

Any oil is better than no oil, my go to is an atf engine oil mix, but never had issue with any other oils. I hose down my stored firearms with wd40 from time to time and drop them back in the safe.

I use lubriplate on the rails, saw it in the Garand maintenance manual once. Been using it every since.

 

[Waltercat]

Corrosion protection is the only reason I use something other than transmission or motor oil. I’ll use it in guns I use at least monthly.

I use hornady one shot in all the stuff that will see elements or sit a while.

scroll past all the comments Comprehensive Corrosion Test: 46 Products Compared | Day At The Range

Yikes. Looks like Rem Oil is out for me and I have a bit of work to do.
And WD40 Specialist is the winner. But he does not say which WD40 product. They have a bunch
of products listed on their web site as 'Specialist'.

 

[GnometownHero]

G96 spray and Marvel Mystery oil for rust problems or long term storage plus both G96 and MMO smell better than KROIL.
MMO and a 3m pad can really clean up a ugly dirty gun

 

[Shadowrider]

Firearms aren't complicated mechanisms nor do they require anything special for lube. All they need is an effective lubrication and protection barrier. Lots of things will accomplish that easily.

I use NLGI #2 synthetic grease on Garand and M1A lube points (bolt lugs and op rods). I use Redline assembly lube on rails of 1911 and classic Sig pistols since it's rich in EP additives and anti-oxidants (anti rust) and is a light grease. Everything else gets an oil from synthetic motor oil to Ballistol, just depending on how it's used.

For the record Frog Lube is fantastic against corrosion and for cleaning. For lubrication it's not great but will work. The key is frequent wiping and reapplication to keep it from turning into a glue. If you slather your AR up with it and throw it in the safe for a few months, good luck pulling the charging handle. I generally keep it out of the internals and use it only for corrosion on the outside of the gun.