75W90 Gear Oil

[Desertrat214]

Just a report from todays shooting trip. I started using 75w90 gear oil as an overall gun lube.
Shot the Ed Brown .45 with absolutely NO FTF, or no FTE for the first time in awhile. I also use RIG on
the rails of all my 1911's and that has also been a good thing. And cleaning was a breeze with no gunk
or crud except the usual powder and a little carbon. Just an FYI for those that want to try gear oil

 

[Hirev]

Not a fan of the smell of 75w90 gear oil no way I would put that stuff on a gun.

 

[Rand]

If I was going to use oil, I'd definitely use engine oil. Mobil 1 ESP 0w20 or whatever I had here.

 

[Silverado12]

I have some leftover Harley Formula+ that I was going to try. It should be thick enough to lube my Colt Gold Cup .45 auto.

 

[burbguy82]

I think any oil would work on a gun, more or less. Motor oil, ATF, gear lube etc.

I have used it all. I hate how gear oil smells, and therefore it would not be my first choice.

Depends on the gun also.....more finicky guns which may rely on a high slide speed might not like grease as much as gear oil, and vice versa.

Biggest thing with guns and oil, is just that, keeping oil on the guns. Anything that aids in the process of lube and cleaning, or suspends carbon is good to go in my book.

I can see an EP lube like gear oil being good for a cam pin on an AR, or roller of a Garand style action.

 

[MRC01]

For sliding parts, like semi-auto and Garand actions, I find a light grease (NLGI #0 or #1) with a tackfier agent works great.

 

[Astro14]

Just a report from todays shooting trip. I started using 75w90 gear oil as an overall gun lube.
Shot the Ed Brown .45 with absolutely NO FTF, or no FTE for the first time in awhile. I also use RIG on
the rails of all my 1911's and that has also been a good thing. And cleaning was a breeze with no gunk
or crud except the usual powder and a little carbon. Just an FYI for those that want to try gear oil

Wait, it ran right, “for the first time in a while”?

You’ve got an Ed Brown that doesn’t run right?

 

[Desertrat214]

Let me clarify. Some of my failures to feed were because my reloads (some of them)
didnt pass the "plunk" test.
Failure to go into battery were
about 3 in 50 rounds. With the
thicker lube, the slide seemed to go into battery all the way
rather than hanging up about an inch short...go figure .
I have the Alpha Elite model
which isn't made anymore.

 

[Silverado12]

Some of those 1911s with really close slide clearances have a break-in period of 2-500 rounds. My Colt Gold Cup has just a little feeling of play and has seldom had a failure to feed or eject, even with cheap ammo except for the couple times I think I "limp wristed" it.

 

[Desertrat214]

That's true. My Brown has about 3000 rounds thru it. But I
have things we'll in hand now...just being more judicious
about how I lube the rails etc.

 

[demarpaint]

The smell of gear oil would be the deal breaker for me.

 

[Pablo]

The smell of gear oil would be the deal breaker for me.

Came here to repeat this 3-4 times stinkily.

 

[Silverado12]

I went to the range today and shot my 1911s (Colt.45 and Springfield 9mm). When I cleaned them, I filled my empty Hoppe's #9 bottle with the Harley Formula + primary and transmission oil. It's definitely thicker than Hoppe's and we'll see how it does. I'll use it until I run out of the H-D stuff if it works ok. The slide feels smooth enough and looks like it will make a good lube. It has an ever so slight "fishy" smell but not bad at all.

 

[Desertrat214]

Good idea Silverado12, sounds good to me. We love the smell of fish and gunpowder in the morning! LOL

 

[ChrisD46]

I consider 75W90 gear oil as a sort of “pourable grease” . If you want thick - try Mobil 1 20w50 V-Twin motorcycle oil , or Mobil 1 15w50 vehicle oil for slide rails , outside of barrels on semi- auto pistols , etc.

 

[Desertrat214]

I havent tried the 20W 50 yet...as soon as I run out of 75W90, I will give it a try.

 

[Lubener]

Not a fan of the smell of 75w90 gear oil no way I would put that stuff on a gun.

Totally agree. Especially on a hunting weapon.

 

[Hohn]

Came here to repeat this 3-4 times stinkily.

The smell means its working.

 

[Pablo]

The smell means its working.

That’s what I used to say about my coworkers

 

[billt460]

Not a fan of the smell of 75w90 gear oil no way I would put that stuff on a gun.

That's my gripe as well. The stuff has good viscosity and excellent lubrication qualities.... But it stinks like hell.

Wilson Combat sells a "grease" that is actually a heavy oil that has very similar qualities...... Without the stink.