The Beginner's Guide to Choosing the Right Gun Lubricant

When it comes to owning a gun, regular maintenance is key in ensuring its longevity and proper functioning. One of the most important aspects of gun maintenance is lubrication. A well-lubricated gun not only functions more efficiently and safely but also helps prevent wear and tear on the firearm's moving parts. However, with so many different types of gun lubricants available today, how do you make a decision?

In this beginner's guide to choosing the right gun lubricant, we'll provide you with a comprehensive overview of different types of gun lubricants and explain factors you need to consider when selecting a formula that best suits your specific requirements.

Types of Gun Lubricants

Basically, you’ll come across oils, greases, and aerosol dry lubes. Each type has its own unique properties that make it suitable for specific applications.

Gun oil is a liquid lubricant intended to be applied to a firearm using a dropper or spray bottle. It’s used to penetrate tight spaces and provide long-lasting protection against rust and corrosion. The viscosity of gun oil varies depending on the intended use, with lighter oils used for colder temperatures and heavier oils for hotter climates. But generally, they are lower viscosity than greases.

Pros:

• Easy to apply
• Reaches tight spaces
• Provides long-lasting protection against rust and corrosion

Cons:

• Can attract dust and dirt
• Needs frequent reapplication
• May cause malfunctions if overapplied

Gun grease is a thick paste-like substance intended to be applied to moving parts of a firearm using a brush or applicator stick. It delivers excellent protection against wear and tear by reducing friction between metal surfaces. The high viscosity of gun grease makes it ideal for high-pressure applications.

Pros:

• Stays in place longer than oil
• Provides excellent protection against wear and tear
• Suitable for high-pressure applications

Cons:

• More difficult to apply than oil
• Can attract dust and dirt
• May be too thick for some firearms

Aerosol/Dry lubes are spray-on lubricants that leave a thin film after evaporating. They are designed to reduce friction between metal surfaces without leaving any sticky residue behind. Dry lubes are ideal for dusty environments where traditional wet lubricants attract dirt.

Pros:

• Leaves no residue
• Ideal for dusty environments
• Easy application

Cons:

• Not as effective as wet lubricants
• Requires frequent reapplication
• Limited temperature resistance

When choosing the right gun lubricant, it's important to consider the type of gun, ambient conditions, and use. Here are some examples:

When to use Gun Oil:

• Colder temperatures: Since gun oil has low viscosity, it’s ideal for use in colder climates as it flows easily and doesn't thicken up.
• General maintenance: Gun oil is easy to apply and penetrates hard-to-access spaces.

When to use Gun Grease:

• High-pressure applications: Gun grease is excellent in reducing friction between metal surfaces. Use it for heavy recoil firearms.
• Sliding parts: Since gun grease stays in place longer than oil, it's perfect for lubricating sliding parts such as rails on a pistol slide.

When to use Dry Lube:

• Dusty environments: Dry lube doesn’t leave any residue and, thus, doesn’t attract dirt.
• Non-metallic surfaces: Dry lubes can also be used on non-metallic surfaces like polymer frames on handguns since they don't contain any oils that could potentially damage the material.

How to Apply Gun Lubricant Correctly

1. Clean your firearm before applying lubricant:

Before applying any type of gun lubricant, it's critical to clean your firearm thoroughly for the lube to properly penetrate the metal surfaces and provide optimal protection against rust and corrosion. You can use gun cleaner to remove dirt, debris, and old lubricant from your firearm. Or you can pick a 3-in-1 gun cleaning oil (aka gun CLP).

2. Apply the right amount of lubricant:

Once your firearm is clean and dry, you can begin applying the lubricant. It's important not to overdo it, as too much lube can attract dirt and debris that can interfere with the proper functioning of your firearm. A small drop or thin layer of oil or grease should be enough for most applications.

3. Apply lube in the right places:

Make sure you apply the gun lubricant everywhere where metal parts rub together, such as slide rails, bolt carriers, trigger mechanisms, etc. Avoid getting oil or grease on non-metallic parts like grips or stocks, as it may cause damage.

4. Reapply lube regularly:

The frequency of lube application will depend on how often you use your gun and under what conditions. As a general rule, firearms that are used frequently should be lubricated every 200-300 rounds, while those that are used less often may require less frequent maintenance.

Best Lubricants for Guns

Here are our recommendations on the best gun oils and greases. All of these brands have earned a reputation for producing high-quality gun lubricants that help keep firearms running smoothly for years to come.

Hoppe's is the best-known brand in the firearms industry for over 100 years that offers a wide range of shooters' lubes, solvents, and cleaning kits. Their Hoppe’s No. 9 Lubricating Oil is a popular choice among gun enthusiasts due to its long-lasting protection against rust and corrosion.

BreakFree is another trusted brand that specializes in all-in-one formulae that include a cleaner, lubricant, and protectant (CPL). Favored by military personnel and law enforcement officers for its ability to perform well in extreme conditions, the BreakFree CLP is the best gun cleaner and lube.

M-Pro 7 specializes in firearm maintenance products intended for high-pressure uses. Its lineup includes AR15 oils and cleaning solutions. If you want the best gun grease for extreme environments that doesn’t gum up or dry out, try the M-Pro 7 Synthetic Grease.

Otis Dry Lube is an innovative and effective choice for gun enthusiasts looking for a high-quality aerosol lubricant designed to create a thin layer of lubrication that doesn't attract dirt or dust.

Finally, Slip 2000 is known for its biodegradable synthetic oils and greases like the EWL (Extreme Weapons Lubricant) which provides superior lubrication properties that reduce friction and wear on metal surfaces. The lube doesn’t contain petroleum, so it won’t attract dust and dirt.