Oil or Grease?

[Uncle Alvah]

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?

[skucera]

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

[Uncle Alvah]

I remenber that skit! "With a name like Dogcrap, its got to be good!"

[jwc007]

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.

[crt360]

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.

[Walt-Sherrill]

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.

[CZ75BSA]

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 ?

[DonNikmare]

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

[jwc007]

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.

[rbernie]

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...

[jwc007]

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.

[rbernie]

It looks for all the world like regular white lithium grease, but I'm sure that it's some 'special secret formula'.  

[jwc007]

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.

[Radom]

Tetra Gun Grease does not seem to attract fouling.  I have been using it on rails for several years now.