Automatic Transmission Fluid as gun oil

The problem is when only one oil is considered for any gun, when guns are very different and have dissimilar issues.

A blued steel bolt gun needs a lot of corrosion protection and the oil has to have a lot of holding power. It's not under a lot of stress by the action cycling, but it does have a lot to protect, as blued steel ranks near the bottom for finish durability.

A self loading military grade gun already has surface treatments to resist corrosion, what it needs is a lot of detergency to float the gas residue and some extreme pressure additives to help the bolt and guide ways.

The first is a manually cycled tire pump, the second, a gunpowder propelled compressor. Two completely different sets of operating conditions, made even more different by the finishes.

I certainly would not consider ATF on an engraved Belgian Browning shotgun used in a blind during misty freezing rain in the fall.

I would not depend on a "gun oil" for my AR15 in the same conditions deer hunting.

Consider what the gun is made of, how it's finished, and where you plan to use it, and lube accordingly. Same as your vehicles - a fleet manager does NOT use the same oil in the 4 door cars as the Cummins diesels.

There is no one "Best" oil except in the mind of some forum posters who need to validate their skills composing a reply. :rolleyes:
 
ATF is funny, it's designed to lube and cool a transmission but it also must float deposits away from the clutch packs... It needs to permeate the clutch material and be squeezed away from the clutch surfaces to allow enough friction between the plates.

It also serves as a hydraulic fluid to operate the valves and actuators. Also needs to be non-foaming...
The different compatibilities are a result of differing sealing material used by various manufacturers. Some additives would destroy seals that weren't compatible. Things have become more uniform now.

Tranny fluid will work in a gun, yes... Not the best substance to have in contact with your skin, as some types hydraulic oil will emulsify fat... Your skin is made of fat... Other additives are not so great either...

All things being as they are, most automotive lubes will work on a gun well enough. It's a simple reciprocating machine. Too high of a viscosity will slow things down tho, depending on weather and the action.

Corrosion prevention may be a different ball game.... My corrosion prevention involves using the guns as often as possible...

I don't have any guns that I consider to be particularly valuable..

I say if you're preventing wear, most lubes will suffice
If you have safe-queens, use something designed for storage
 
If you can find it... Prolong SPL lube. Never seen anything like it. Any oil left for long enough will crud, all you need is more of that oil and a tooth brush.
 
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