How much oil is enough?

[BrentK]

I had raised this topic in the Firearms forum, but didn't get any answers. Since it really is a general question about engine oil lubrication, I thought I'd try here.

If I put a little engine oil on the surface of a metal object...ok, a gun...how much of the oil can I wipe off with a clean cloth before I remove too much and leave the metal unprotected? Since this is actually a question of how much is enough, let me state the question another way: Is it necessary to leave a sheen of oil, or will lubrication and protection exist even when the metal is visibly dry?

The oils I'm referring to are synthetics: Redline and Mobil 1.

 

[blupupher]

How long are you talking about leaving it like this? I would think that if there was no "sheen" of oil, that the metal is possibly exposed to moisture and therefore could rust. If your looking at long term storeage, I would leave a thin coat of oil on it, if just for general cleaning on a gun that gets used often, I would think just enough so the metal does not feel oily, but is not wiped dry would work. But what do I know.

 

[Bob Woods]

Why do you want to use motor oil on your gun, there is oil made for that, that does't contain heavy metals and other chemicals known to be hazardous to your health?

 

[BrentK]

Blupupher,
This is for guns that get used maybe once a month, so I'd say short-term storage.

Bob,
Mostly because I'm skeptical of the claims made by most (not all) companies that make gun lubricants, and partly because I think most gun lubricants are way over-priced. It seems to me that an engine oil, which protects under conditions far worse than what my gun would ever experience, would work just as well, if not better, than gun-specific lubes.

I get very little oil on me when I lube a gun, so I'm not concerned about being exposed to anything long enough to do any harm.

 

[Hootbro]

This might be of interest to some on this subject.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=27&t=145063

quote:

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Technical Note 65, Alternate Cleaning and Lubrication Materials for Small Arms


Background: ArmaLite officials conducting small arms maintenance training in an allied nation were advised that Military and Police officers often use common cooking oil as a small arms cleaner and lubricant. A 4 ounce bottle of cleaning material common in Europe or America could cost as much as a weeks income for a laborer in much of the rest of the world.

ArmaLite is concerned that improper cleaners and lubricants could threaten the performance of its rifles in critical moments. ArmaLite’s staff has therefore conducted a preliminary study to identify inexpensive, effective small arms maintenance materials that are available worldwide.

Findings: ArmaLite has consulted with Small Arms experts at Rock Island Arsenal and elsewhere, and has conducted preliminary evaluations of the materials they recommended:

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) as a cleaner and light lubricant. ATF performs admirably as a carbon remover, and protects steel surfaces excellently (“Have you ever seen a transmission that’s rusty inside?).

Twenty weight engine oil serves in an environment that is far more strenuous than normally found in small arms so is normally quite successful. The Army authorities recommend synthetic oils such as Mobil 1. (In fact, one noted authority has used Mobil 1 as his personal firearm lubricant for over two decades.

No safe copper remover formulation has yet been identified, but government tests reveal that copper removal provides no advantage in a standard military arm. It may serve a useful purpose in cleaning the bore of a rifle meant for extremely precise fire, such as a sniper rifle.

Recommendations: Employ ATF as a small arms cleaning agent, and follow with 20 weight synthetic motor oil as a lubricant. Until a commonly available alternate copper solvent is identified, employ a commonly available commercial copper solvent such as Hoppe’s Number 9 on firearms intended for a high degree of accuracy.


Please visit the "Library" section of our website www.armalite.com for additional Technical Notes and information.

ArmaLite Sales

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[BrentK]

Thanks, Hootbro, very interesting!

 

[MikeR]

Very interesting thread here.

Wouldn't a good 5w-20 motor oil have a better detergent pack and thus be a better cleaner than ATF?

mr

 

[williar]

Very little oil needs to remain on the gun. The light film that remains after wiping with a rag is sufficient if the gun is stored in a dry environment such as a home. Been doin' it for years w/o corrosion.