Posted on 12/16/2016 9:29:08 AM PST by w1n1
Many school of thoughts talk about over lubricating your firearm is taboo. Many seem to think a weapon with too much lubrication can jam up your weapon, attract too much dirt or sand, etc.. Some of these come from LEO's and military personnel.
Larry Vicker and TAC-TV setup a test to debunk this myth. They place an M9 pistol and DDM4 (AR15) in a large plastic container and filled it with regular car oil, the whole canister. All the weapons were soaked and when pulled out of the oil container, its like oil slog every where. Larry goes onto firing the M9 and DDM4 without a hitch. So much for the myth. What they stated was "under lubrication or improper lubrication is more of the cause of a weapon malfunction. See the results here.
About firearms, OK. Title had me wondering, imagination got me thinking of other activities.
When shooting in Upstate NY, we used to use some non-freezing grease during the colder months. Still coated other surfaces with a bit of oil to protect the metal.
Not a realistic test...dunk the weapon in that oil, and then carry it around the woods for a week...then try to fire it.
Try that in the deserts of the Middle East and get a little sand out of the last dust storm on it and then call me back
Ridiculous testing. Over lubrication has nothing to do with immediate failure.
The danger lies in putting your firearm away with too much oil and the oil gums up the works.
On wood stocks you can put so much oil in your gun, it actually begins to dry out and crack the wood.
Over lubrication on synthetic and steel while wet is fine but put that sucker away wet and see what happens after a few months in the gun cabinet.
Looks like you get a lot of oil on your hands. Get a good grip!
This test does not disprove the FACT that over-lubrication causes problems. The fact is that too much oil causes problems if left in the firearm over time. Oil will penetrate primers and cause misfires. It will retain dirt and lint. It will dry out and harden into a varnish-like gunk that can prevent parts from moving properly. All this experiment proves is that an over-lubed gun will work if used immediately. This is 40 years of gunsmithing speaking.
There are arguments on both sides. In a sandy or dusty environment it is true that too much attracts dirt, but too little is a problem in every environment. It is also highly dependent on the firearm. This is why I am an advocate of having firearms you are very familiar with versus taking something different to the range every weekend. If you know your firearm you will most likely know what it likes. Just my .02
In the book “John Browning, American Gunmaker”, John Browning wrote a letter to Winchester complaining that he received one of his inventions back from them “full of oil”.
He stated that the gun needed very little lubrication.
I think I would tend to believe he knew what he was talking about. Of course lubricants have been improved since his letter which was written in the 1800s.
Winner! Same around the high desert here in Nevada. Over lube will earn you problems quickly.
There is lubrication that is appropriate, and there are highly inappropriate methods of lubrication. Not a matter of too much or not enough, it is whether the right kind was being used.
And this does not just apply to firearms.
Anyone claiming over-oiling gums up simple needs to be reminded that any amount of oil gums up and that firearms need routine maintenance. Failure to maintain a firearm such that the oil has dried into a varnish is neglecting their firearms so it ain’t the oil that’s the problem.
Lube getting on to a handgun firing pin can keep it from firing.
Wearing prescription eyeware while shooting makes you immediately aware you have over lubricated. That and shooting an auto loading rifle left handed like the guy in the pic. Oil spray across your face every time.
While TC on an M-1 proper lubrication of the Ma-duece was one good slosh on the feed tray and bolt with the cover up while you put on the next box of ammo. Slam her shut and return to business. The gunner once over lubed the M-240 coax gun and caused a small fire inside the turret but they shoot just fine with even more fire jumping out of them.
Mrs. old-ager doesn’t like it if I keep a dripping handgun under my pillow.
Some systems are self-lubricating, and if handled properly will work just fine every time.
does it have anything to do with “twister” ?
Silly.
You lubricate each area appropriately. Some get a very light coating, others should glisten.
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