The Original CZ Forum

CZ PISTOL CLUBS => CLUB CZ97 => Topic started by: Uncle Alvah on February 03, 2004, 11:33:12 AM

Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: Uncle Alvah on February 03, 2004, 11:33:12 AM: First, I'm glad the black and orange format is gone! Whew!

Second, I just recieved a couple samples of Militec lube, both the grease and the "oil" to try out. Here-to-for I've always used CLP. Now, I'm pretty old fashioned when it comes to "machinery" and although I'm happy with CLP, when I see slide rails on anything(like my 97b) I immediatly think "grease". I'd be interested in opinions on whether to stick with the "oil"(no pun intended) or put a little grease to them rails? Did I mention I like grease on rails?
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: skucera on February 03, 2004, 11:59:36 AM: I use grease on my frame rails too. The manual says to use oil, and I have no doubt that they designed the gun to work fine with oil everywhere, even on the frame rails, but I just prefer the idea of having grease on the frame rails.

I also use grease on the firing pin of my CZ 52, and on the firing pin lock/retractor. Yeah, I know that this isn't a good idea if I use the pistol in really cold environments, but I live in western Oregon, where the temperature only rarely dips below freezing.

For years I've used Castrol synthetic gun oil, but I wasn't able to find it last time I needed to buy more, so I got CLP. Man, that stuff stinks. If it smells that bad, it's gotta be good! [To co-opt an old Saturday Night Live skit....]

Scott
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: Uncle Alvah on February 03, 2004, 12:22:22 PM: I remenber that skit! "With a name like Dogcrap, its got to be good!"
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: jwc007 on February 03, 2004, 01:52:18 PM: Used to use white lithium grease in the slide rails, but now I prefer straight 30W motor oil, temperature permiting. Mobil 1 20w50 is also a very good alternative. I use Mobil 1 10w30 when things get cold around here, and in sensitive areas. I use FP10 in my AR15 Bolt Carrier, but it seems to behave like Mobil 1 20w50, so I might try that this spring, after the Rifle Range thaws out. I use CLP as a preservative only.
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: crt360 on February 03, 2004, 02:50:10 PM: I use a little Tetra grease on the rails. I also use the Castrol synthetic on other parts of guns. Another stinky lube that I've used a lot (and otherwise like) is Ballistol. I guess when they came up with the stuff 100 yrs or so ago it smelled better than the soldiers who were using it and no one complained.
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: Walt-Sherrill on February 03, 2004, 06:14:11 PM: One of my favorite gunsmiths recommends using synthetic disk brake lubricant,one of the new "space-age" lubricants available from auto parts stores. It does everything grease does, but is more stable through a wider range of temperatures.

I've used it, but I don't put my guns through the kind of torture that really stresses ANY type of lubricant.
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: CZ75BSA on February 03, 2004, 08:17:35 PM: I am certainly no expert, but the only times I have had any problems with any pistols is when I tried to use grease. It seemed to get dirty fast, and then gum-up, slowing the slide action, and causing failures.

Since then I use only a very light coat of CLP.
No problems, and no observable unusual wear, so why mess with anything heavier ?
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: DonNikmare on February 03, 2004, 11:53:17 PM: Why does it have to be either or?

I can't decide which is better. I just sit there n think - grease is more likely to stick around, oil is a better but how long is it gonna stay n just can't seem to pick. So I use both
I use a thin base of gold dot grease everywhere n a thin top coat of tetra lubricant on the rails on top of the grease. Before I start shooting I cycle the slide a few times and wipe off anything that gets squeezed out.
Dirt does stick to the grease but it makes cleaning easier as I can just wipe it off grease n all.
Nik
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: jwc007 on February 04, 2004, 12:31:54 AM: The fact that dirt sticks to grease and can become an abrasive is a problem. Oil tends to disolve fouling, so that is why I prefer it in the long run. Noted Pistolsmith Bill Wilson currently advises against the use of grease. However, not all greases have the same properties, so I am keeping an open mind on the subject.
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: rbernie on February 04, 2004, 06:43:52 AM: Quote
Quote:
Noted Pistolsmith Bill Wilson currently advises against the use of grease.

Heck - noted pistolsmith Bill Wilson sold me my slide-rail grease. It's got his name on it and everything...
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: jwc007 on February 04, 2004, 10:56:33 AM: He probably only recommends his grease. A couple of years ago he had an article in a Gun Magazine advising against it. He must have changed his mind or there is something about the formulation of his grease that negates the effect of fouling retention.
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: rbernie on February 04, 2004, 01:37:16 PM: It looks for all the world like regular white lithium grease, but I'm sure that it's some 'special secret formula'.
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: jwc007 on February 04, 2004, 01:47:34 PM: Interesting. I used to use Solder Seal brand White Lithium Auto/Shop grease in my slide rails. It was OK. Just did not seem to last or be as slick as oil, so I went to straight 30w, which was commonly used in WWI, II, and other conflicts, by a number of countries.
Title: Oil or Grease?
Post by: Radom on February 05, 2004, 03:10:19 PM: Tetra Gun Grease does not seem to attract fouling. I have been using it on rails for several years now.