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Best Gun Lubrication: The Only Lube You’ll Ever Need
Lubricating your firearm is the best way to ensure it functions well and lasts long. However, finding the best gun lube has become overcomplicated. Nowadays, it seems everyone is making gun lube.
I’ve used many types of lubrication for my firearms over the years and bought into many of the gimmicks that manufacturers have promoted.
Some of them have been good, while others have left me worried that my gas rings would be toast after a few magazines.
The truth is, you don’t have to go wild with lubricating your firearm. I’ll start with my favorite lubrication to date.
1. Mobil1 Synthetic 5w-30 Oil and Grease Mix “SOTARacha”
One of my favorite misconceptions in the industry is that you can’t use car oil on firearms. I’ll tell you what: Ask an armorer what troops used on their M16s and M4s while they were in the country. They cleaned them with diesel and lubricated them with used engine oil.
I can hear all the shooters who clean their guns after every range day crying right now.
As an armorer, I use a mixture of oil and grease to lubricate the many firearms I work on, saving me not only time but also money. You can buy a quart of full synthetic 5w-30 and wheel bearing grease for under $25 and have lubrication for years, depending on how much you shoot.
Regarding the mixture, you typically want it to be greasy if you’re shooting in warmer climates and more oily if you’re shooting in colder ones. The consistency of honey is generally a good enough viscosity.
This mix has become popular since Chad from the School of the American Rifle YouTube channel made it famous.
Here’s a full video of the mix on YouTube.
2. Militec-1
Have you ever heard of dry lubrication?
Sounds like a gimmick. I know. Part of my job is testing these things to ensure I tell you not to buy them if they don’t work. Militec-1, on the other hand, is the best gun oil on the market.
The way it works is by heat. Once heated up, whether by shooting the firearm or heating the bolt carrier with a blow dryer and slathering this stuff on as I do, the oil penetrates the metal and creates a slick, almost PTFE-like surface.
My favorite method is to get this stuff saturated into the metal and use grease, like the next one on this list, on one of the surfaces into which the Militec-1 is already embedded.
It’s also the best corrosion protector that I could find. When storing my rifles for a long time, I like to put a thin layer of Militec-1 on my rifle after leaving it in the sun to bake all day.
It also makes cleaning a breeze. Carbon seems to wipe right off with this stuff.
I’ve had success with this product time and time again. It costs $24.99 for an 8-oz bottle, but it’s worth it if you’re serious about keeping your firearm in top shape.
Militec-1. Source: amazon
3. Breakthrough Battle Born Grease
This is the grease I like to use after I get the metal on my bolt carrier group embedded with Militec-1. The result is an action that cycles as smooth as ice.
Battle Born is a synthetic grease mixed with Polytetrafluoroethylene powders, synthetic oils, and other additives to reduce the friction your bolt carrier faces when cycling.
It’s light with a thinner, greasy texture that, when used over time, embeds the metal with PTFE, drastically extending the life of the parts you use it on.
When I first got my Zaffiri Precision slide and barrel for the Sig M18, I used this stuff to help break it in. I always lather this stuff on when doing heavy shooting and use a light film when carrying.
I also like putting it on AR-15s that are going into storage for a while. A heavy coat on the bolt carrier group and around the trigger housing will hel to prevent moisture from corroding parts.
Breakthrough Clean offers a ton of other cleaning products too, including kits, so it could potentially be a one-stop-shop if you wanted.
Breakthrough Battle Born Grease. Source: breakthroughclean
How To Apply Lubrication
Applying lubrication to your firearm is easier if you know how the gun works. You want it on all high-wear areas, like your bolt carrier group, chamber, trigger springs, and buffer/buffer spring.
You don’t have to go crazy. If you’re going to be heavy on the gun that day, I suggest applying a generous coating of lubrication, but that’s it. That’s enough to get me by.
When you’re shooting, it’s wise to have an applicating device on you, like an empty Sriracha bottle or something similar, to keep your hands clean.
As for the right time and right place for grease and oil, grease should be applied before shooting starts. Oil should be applied after the rifle is hot and ready to benefit from the oil’s properties because it’s easier.
Conclusion
While we only discussed three options here, I can confidently tell you that these lubricants are the only ones you’ll ever need. Regardless if you’re lubricating your carry gun or your hard-use AR-15, these will keep your firearms running smoothly.
Remember, you don’t have to spend an outrageous amount of money on lube. If you’re one of those shooters constantly blasting, pick up a 5-quart jug of Mobil-1 5-30 Full Synthetic and a tub of synthetic grease, and you’ll have lube for years.
Be good and take care.
