Gun oil or grease or whatever? New gun owner needs advice.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

Now that I think about it, I wonder if CRC brand Electronics Cleaner would do good. I know it’s safe to use on plastics, it powers through grease and doesn’t leave a residue. That stuff works great on mass airflow sensors etc. 

Yes it works perfectly. I have used CRC Electronics cleaner for years now on all my guns including the plastic frame of my P-07 with no ill effects. I can get it at Walmart for under $5 a can.

[Gunnerdad80]

Now that I think about it, I wonder if CRC brand Electronics Cleaner would do good. I know it’s safe to use on plastics, it powers through grease and doesn’t leave a residue. That stuff works great on mass airflow sensors etc. 

Yes it works perfectly. I have used CRC Electronics cleaner for years now on all my guns including the plastic frame of my P-07 with no ill effects. I can get it at Walmart for under $5 a can.

SWEET! That’s going on my grocery list. Thanks.

[jwc007]

Getting back to the Lubrication Question.....................

I use a combination of Synthetic 10w-30 Motor Oil and Synthetic Automotive Bearing Grease.  Some parts get Grease.  Other parts get Oil.
Never a problem, even during extensive IPSC Matches lasting 500 rounds or so.

Also, never a problem with the Winter Cold Temps here, but I'm rarely outside in it for long.

[painter]

I use synthetic motor oil on my pistols, and a combination of oil and grease on my shotguns. The actions get oil, and the hinge pins and forearm metal get grease.

I use CLP products for cleaning.

Whatever you decide, don't overdo it. Thoroughly, but lightly.

[eastman]

I've been using Breakfree CLP for over 35 years. It is great for long term storage protection (the "P" in CLP). It is an excellent lubricant. I don't use it as my primary cleaner, but it is still good at that task.

[cousinmark]

...my $.02

Clean your new shooter of the protective packaging oil thoroughly. I like Battleborn solvent, no odor and non toxic. Alcohol is also something I use for inside the frame and magazines. Those are areas I try to NOT oil, they work just fine DRY. For slide rails and other parts that move and touch a microscopic film of the gun oil of your choice is all you need. A drop or two on a cotton patch or cloth wiped on theses areas is just fine. More ISN'T better, it only serves to create a gooky paste that can impede the action and throw things off. Once a pistol is broken in (500 or so rounds) I'll use grease on the slide rails but again just a little. I use a small 000 paintbrush and coat each rail with a dab about 1/3 the size of a corn kernel ad spread it evenly.

Primarily focus on developing safe handling of your new shooting iron and having fun. Good luck with her :-)

If you like YouTube check out Gunblue490's video tutorials on cleaning and oils. You may find them helpful.

[RoverSig]

The best advice is to always use lube!  It may not matter exactly which one.  The idea of using motor oil seems like a very economical suggestion.

In extreme cold weather, I use Mobil 28 aviation grease, which is very resistant to freezing (my contribution to the grease vs. oil discussion).

I'll add a piece of advice I've seen elsewhere, and believe:  do NOT use WD-40 as a gun lube.  It might work as a cleaner, followed by application of a different product for lubing, but WD-40 is too light to use as a lube as it mostly evaporates away fairly quickly. 

For cleaning and lubing and then preserving a gun from rust and corrosion, Hornady One Shot Cleaner and Lube gets high marks for protecting metal from rust.   See https://www.chuckhawks.com/hornady_one_shot2.html  Some guy did a test of various lubes and the Hornady turned out the best as a protectant.   Not to be confused with Hornady One Shot case lube, which is a used in reloading.

[igolfat8]

I use Strike Hold as a CLP cleaner then I use straight 30W non detergent motor oil on the lube points.

[DWARREN]

Read the manual and go with what it says.
Be careful of what you use to clean, some cleaners can damage plastic or change the finish color.

[hodge]

You've open up the worm can. You can ask 100 times, and get the same thing. Many opinions, all based on experience.
Having a regimen is more important (in most cases), than what you use. Most all products will work well, especially if you clean and reapply
on a regular basis. Find what satisfies you, and use it. I clean my firearms after every outing. Doing that, they are always clean, protected, and ready to go. It is a regimen that I enjoy just as much as shooting.

Develop a regimen, use quality products, don't stray.

[Jiva]

I like a light coat of white lithium grease on the rails.

[AndyC]

Generally I use oil - but if I'm going to run guns hot, a light grease stays on far longer eg. Weaponshield.

[Claymore504]

I use grease on the frame rails and oil for everything else. My problem when I first got into guns was over cleaning. Coming right out of the US Army Infantry where weapons had to be spotless and we did whatever it took to make them that way I would completely clean my guns even if I fired a couple rounds through it. When I forst got into handguns I had Glocks. I would actually take the trigger assemblies out to make sure I got everthing spotless.

i think the key is do not over think it. here is a good resource:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hmewqhe-hc

[jurek]

i think the key is do not over think it. here is a good resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hmewqhe-hc

Great video, Claymore504. I love statement: "do not overclean it". I would also add "do not overlube it".

[Rcher]

Some guns are tolerant to overlubrication Check this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLUH2vOhb6k