How do you lubricate your AR-15

[RSR]

I went through a fairly long period of trying out different lubes to see what could/would/does work in varying conditions to get an idea of what I could use if needed.  That being said, I have went back to good old CLP for my lubing needs.  That seems to be the best average of what I need in the situations I encounter in my life for AR lube.

FWIW, Breakfree CLP is definitely an irritant and may be toxic.  Personally, I consider synthetic unused motor oil to be less dangerous (including fumes) than large exposure to Breakfree.  I do however try to put on nitrile gloves when using harsher chemicals.

[RSR]

I use marine grade bearing grease as appropriate for the M1 and M1A rifles and on the SIG 556R bolt/rails (gas piston and stays very clean in the receivers vs. the DI AR15/M16.)

As addicted as I am to the idea that a few minutes spent cleaning/lubing increase the likelihood of less issues later I hate to use grease on an AR15.  Just makes it harder to wipe clean every time it gets shot and harder to keep clean fingers.  If I had a gas piston AR15 (almost bought a SIG516 a couple times) I'd probably try grease on the bolt lugs and the high spots on the bolt that ride against the inside of the upper receiver.

Yeah, marine bearing grease is super thick and sticky -- and not at all like Slip2000's grease, which is thinner than petroleum jelly and thin enough to almost become a liquid just from the heat of one's hands.  Actually, what I'd guess I'd most compare it to is coconut oil in high 70 degrees -- on the verge of transitioning from a solid to a liquid and quite slippery but before it liquifies.

Slip is a dual lubricant/penetrant, so the thicker formulations EWL30 and grease are really needed if you want the places you lube to stay wet.

Slip isn't the best rust protectant, and especially older blued guns intended for sporting afield need greater protection than Slip can provide IMO, but overall it's good to have an option that's not only effective for most of my needs but also has a neutral safety profile...  And it also washes out in warm water as well vs. some of the automotive and especially marine greases -- I generally use Amsoil for my auto grease needs FWIW.

[M1A4ME]

Among the many crazy thing people do is worry about things that have no meaning in their chosen environment.

Don't put to much lube on the gun it'll just attract dust and lead to malfunctions.  How many people who never go near a dry/dusty environment worry about that advice?  I don't

A 5.56X45 is only good out to about 500 or 600 yds.  You need a .308/7.62X51 to reach out there.  Where I live 100 yds. is about it.  Neither my vision nor the bullets can go through that many trees in this flat country.

Don't use grease, it'll freeze in arctic conditions.  In my 38 years down here I think I've seen it below zero one or two mornings (maybe, it's been so long I'm not sure).  And, the only thing I use grease on is the rifles that benefit from it. 

Not trying to start an argument or make fun of people's choices.  Just saying that lots of people don't consider the world they live/work in and get all tore up about things they read on the internet. 

Many people on the internet laugh at the idea of cleaning their AR15 more often than every 3 or 4 thousand rounds.  Okay.  It's their AR15.  Mine gets cleaned when I get home after shooting it.

[bubbas4570]

I use marine grade bearing grease as appropriate for the M1 and M1A rifles and on the SIG 556R bolt/rails (gas piston and stays very clean in the receivers vs. the DI AR15/M16.)

As addicted as I am to the idea that a few minutes spent cleaning/lubing increase the likelihood of less issues later I hate to use grease on an AR15.  Just makes it harder to wipe clean every time it gets shot and harder to keep clean fingers.  If I had a gas piston AR15 (almost bought a SIG516 a couple times) I'd probably try grease on the bolt lugs and the high spots on the bolt that ride against the inside of the upper receiver.

I am with you on what you lube with.  The one thing that some might forget is that the differences in how the rifles operate due to their gas systems, the differences in what lube is the better for getting the gun to stay running, clean, and also, being able TO clean later.....good stuff!  The grease in the AR did make for a much dirtier cleanup job afterwards, no argument.

[M1A4ME]

And that's the neat thing about the gas piston guns.  On the SIG 556R I only had to clean in the inside of the receiver and the bolt/bolt lugs once every three or four range trips.  That grease stayed nice and green for a good while.

The DI guns, like an AR15, are about like a diesel.  You can remove the used oil and crud (black as coal) and put new lube on it.  Use it once and it's nasty and black with crud again.  If you've ever worked on a diesel (I had one, once) it takes a combination of multiple washing and some wear off of skin to get that stain off/out of your hands/fingers.

[Gunnerdad80]

FWIW, Breakfree CLP is definitely an irritant and may be toxic.  Personally, I consider synthetic unused motor oil to be less dangerous (including fumes) than large exposure to Breakfree.  I do however try to put on nitrile gloves when using harsher chemicals.

I have two kids so I always look for non toxic alternatives for lube and cleaners. I’ve been using Gunfighter lube and cleaners for about a year or so and have been more than pleased. The majority of fouling just wipes off and I just hit it again with a few drops of oil. I do however still use Hoppes foaming bore cleaner and nitrile gloves for the tuff stuff. https://carrytrainer.com/ammo-gear/gear-accessories/gear/gunfighter-gun-oil/

[JMWalker]

Anyone try pure mineral oil as a non-toxic lube?  It's the main ingredient in many gun lubes and the ones from the pharmacy aisle are meant to be taken as a laxative so it's definitely non-toxic. 

[Gunnerdad80]

Anyone try pure mineral oil as a non-toxic lube?  It's the main ingredient in many gun lubes and the ones from the pharmacy aisle are meant to be taken as a laxative so it's definitely non-toxic.

Used as a laxative?! So I guess it does work worth a sh|+?

[M1A4ME]

Anyone try pure mineral oil as a non-toxic lube?  It's the main ingredient in many gun lubes and the ones from the pharmacy aisle are meant to be taken as a laxative so it's definitely non-toxic.

Used as a laxative?! So I guess it does work worth a sh|+?

Sometimes I wish we had a "like" button here.

[bubbas4570]

There is another way of going about non toxic lube if you want grease, also.

Do a search with "food grade grease lubricant" in your bar.  This will turn up many different kinds/brands of grease for lubrication.  Careful choosing will allow one to find a suitable grease for your needs on a firearm.....

I found a tube of food grade grease once, and it is a very good grease.  I would have to go and dig it out to give the actual grade of the grease (think NLG # ), but my recollection is that is somewhere above a #2 type of synthectic grease.

[bubbas4570]

Anyone try pure mineral oil as a non-toxic lube?  It's the main ingredient in many gun lubes and the ones from the pharmacy aisle are meant to be taken as a laxative so it's definitely non-toxic.

Pure mineral oil is lacking as a firearms lubricant, if I recall the information correctly, that I read years ago on some testing that was done by the military.

[Gunnerdad80]

There is another way of going about non toxic lube if you want grease, also.

Do a search with "food grade grease lubricant" in your bar.  This will turn up many different kinds/brands of grease for lubrication.  Careful choosing will allow one to find a suitable grease for your needs on a firearm.....

I found a tube of food grade grease once, and it is a very good grease.  I would have to go and dig it out to give the actual grade of the grease (think NLG # ), but my recollection is that is somewhere above a #2 type of synthectic grease.

We use food grade grease at work but it’s not extremely high heat applications. I don’t know how well food grade grease would hold up in a prolonged high heat situation.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

Anyone try pure mineral oil as a non-toxic lube?  It's the main ingredient in many gun lubes and the ones from the pharmacy aisle are meant to be taken as a laxative so it's definitely non-toxic.

Pure mineral oil is lacking as a firearms lubricant, if I recall the information correctly, that I read years ago on some testing that was done by the military.

Not sure I'd put any stock in what the military claims about anythng. Mineral oil may not be optimal for firearms use given the availability of firearms specific lubes today but I'd say it would work if that's all a person had around which is probably not likely anyway. However those of us old enough to know remember that mineral oil was the primary lubricant used in the old R-12 and R-22 air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

[RSR]

We use food grade grease at work but it’s not extremely high heat applications. I don’t know how well food grade grease would hold up in a prolonged high heat situation.

Yes, all oils are purpose-designed for the temps at which they operate -- car oils designed for high heat and food and other such oils designed for lower temps.  Gun oils have to do both effectively, while both of the other can bias their performance specs.

I have two kids so I always look for non toxic alternatives for lube and cleaners. I’ve been using Gunfighter lube and cleaners for about a year or so and have been more than pleased. The majority of fouling just wipes off and I just hit it again with a few drops of oil. I do however still use Hoppes foaming bore cleaner and nitrile gloves for the tuff stuff. https://carrytrainer.com/ammo-gear/gear-accessories/gear/gunfighter-gun-oil/

First I've heard of Gunfighter -- first blush, looks to be rebranded Slip or Weaponshield or Lucas...

[Gunnerdad80]

First I've heard of Gunfighter -- first blush, looks to be rebranded Slip or Weaponshield or Lucas...

I was actually using Weaponshield before I switched to Gunfighter Lube. I don’t think it’s rebranded Weaponshield, but not sure about Slip or Lucas. I switched from Weaponshield because I found it was thickening and becoming slightly tacky over time. It seemed to work well at first tho. I am diggin the Gunfighter Lube so far. It seems to soak in really well. When I do a complete tear-down and full strip of my guns, I like to toss the metal parts in the oven or toaster oven on low to warm them up before I do a final lube. I shift work so they tend to sit for longer periods of time than I’d like them to, so I want that lube to soak in good and deep. Helps me sleep better at night knowing my babies are taken care of.