Slide lube?

I'm well aware that there is no practical way to use grease to lubricate the pistons in an engine. But, oil works just fine.
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Oil is contained in the engine. It doesn't leave the engine unless there is a leak, which means something is broke. In a firearm, there is little, if anything to prevent oil from getting away from the part(s) it is intended to lubricate.
 
Oil is contained in the engine. It doesn't leave the engine....
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Grease is contained in front wheel bearings by seals. Just like oil is contained in the engine by seals. It doesn't leave the area. Bearings are a rotating part, and they are a rotating part because if they start to slide, they will fail in short order. So using the logic of "If it rotates, oil. If it slides, grease" wheel bearing just don't fit in.

"If it rotates, oil. If it slides, grease" does not work in many applications. Since a firearm is nothing more than a machine, one has to examine the particular machine, and determine what type of lubricant would work best on each part in each application in each individual task.

I have a very tight tolerance M1911 dedicated for use in Precision Pistol competition. It will only work with oil, and lots and lots of oil. By the time I'm done shooting a 90 round match, I have little black dots of oil on my right arm, my face, my glasses, every where. If I use grease on the slide, grease only, I will get hiccups in function, and I will start loosing points. So I use oil. Each and every application must be taken into consideration before it's determined if grease or oil is the proper lubricant to use.
 
Am I the only one that uses just a dab of moly grease?
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Nope. Just half an hour ago I applied moly grease to the rails of my Colt 1991A1. The other working parts got my FREE SAMPLE of Blue Line Extreme Duty Gun Oil.
I haven't bought gun (or door hinge) lube in years. I think the last was the Militech 1 fad. Free samples of Real Gun Oil and drippings of motor oil and industrial lubricants keep my guns moving at no cost.
 
Grease on moving parts. What brand or kind doesn't matter much. How much you use does though. Use just a wee bit. Over greasing attracts crud assorted.
Oil can flow or be thrown off moving parts. Grease usually stays where you put it.
"...take a page from the auto industry..." Do that and firearms will wear out rapidly by design and customer service/warrantees will be poor.
 
I use just dabs of Tetra Gun Grease. Seems to stay put without the oil component traveling onto surfaces I don't want it to.
 
"Do that and firearms will wear out rapidly by design and customer service/warrantees will be poor."

I was talking about oil, not grease. Someone else said grease. I really don't see any of my guns ever getting anything but oil. But I understand what your saying.
 
Do that and firearms will wear out rapidly by design and customer service/warrantees will be poor.
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Total nonsense!
Lubed properly with the proper grease, or oil a firearm couldn't be worn out in a couple lifetimes of use. Unless maybe you're talking hundreds of thousands of rounds per year. Then maybe just one lifetime.
 
I use the rule of thumb...

If it rotates, use oil.

If it slides, use grease.

Usually it is best to use a light viscosity grease a 0 rated or a 1 rated tops. Most grease in the auto aisle is a 2 rated, and too think.

I personally use Lubriplate SFL 0, it's a food contact rated grease so it's completely nontoxic. It's also aluminum based not lithium, so it has better resistance to harsh conditions, and holds together better and doesn't separate readily.
 
So many approaches to lubing our guns and so many products to use. In my humble opinion I believe they all work reasonably well and get the job done. Instead of searching for the "secret sauce" of lubricants, just regularly and carefully clean your guns with whatever is your favorite lube that works for you. Then call it a day!
 
So many approaches to lubing our guns and so many products to use. In my humble opinion I believe they all work reasonably well and get the job done. Instead of searching for the "secret sauce" of lubricants, just regularly and carefully clean your guns with whatever is your favorite lube that works for you. Then call it a day!
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Well said. We all have our favorites, but most products are at least adequate. I have tried any number of products and only rarely seen any significant difference.
 
Speaking strictly of autopistols, I defy common logic. At the range, I oil with Mobil 1 0w20. For carry, I use copper never seize.
 
ATF for most of a pistol, but I use a little engine oil for the slide rails.

The problem with grease is that it holds on to debris particles, once they get in there, to a greater degree than oil.
 
I always apply lube to the slide with toothpicks and Q-tips.
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As far as cleaning goes, Qtips are my best friend. I always have a box of them with my other cleaning supplies. Also, regular toilet paper is good for removing excess.

Those seals aren't there to keep the grease in, but dirt and debris out.
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I am really glad those seals keep the grease in, otherwise, the brakes and everything else in that area would be covered in grease.
 
Interesting read - nobody mentions good old fashioned RIG Grease. I'm 3rd generation user and never problems or rust with it. I do use CLP from time to time but RIG is what I turn to.
 
I also use Tetra Lube on my guns.

I use Hoppes 9 to scrub down, blast off the Hoppes with Gun Scrubber, Spray a light coat of Rem Oil and wipe down. Then I put a little Tetra Lube on the slide rail. Seems to work so far.
 
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