Maintaining your firearms goes beyond just appearances; it’s about ensuring their peak performance and longevity.
While preventing corrosion and rust is crucial, hidden components like slides, bolts, and levers rely on proper lubrication for smooth operation. Some gun oils even double as bore cleaners, optimizing your accuracy with each shot.
In this comprehensive Best Gun Oil Guide, we’ll cut through the overwhelming number of options to help you make an informed choice. Drawing from our experience and personal testing, we’ve compiled a list of the best gun oils that guarantee your firearms stay reliable whether you’re hunting or hitting the range.
With countless choices promising various benefits, getting lost in the sea of overpriced gimmicks is easy. This guide is meant to demystify the purpose of gun oil, explore the different types available, and ultimately assist you in finding the perfect one for your specific needs.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Neel, the platoon sergeant of the Parris Island armoury, performing a weapons check on a weapon on June 21, 2019. The armory is in charge of over 10,000 rifles on Parris Island.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Hageali)
Maintaining your firearms is crucial to ensuring their longevity and reliability.
Over the years, we’ve tested and evaluated some of the best gun oils in search of the right one.
We want to share our insights and pass on any valuable knowledge that we can to help you decide which gun oil is best for your firearms.
Why You Need Gun Oil
Many people say that there are only two things that can harm guns – politicians and rust. However, some beginners might think gun oil is just for lubrication, similar to how motor oil works for engines.
While gun oil is excellent for lubricating gun parts, it also serves other important functions. It is useful for cleaning guns after shooting and can protect them from corrosion and rust.
Therefore, to keep your guns functioning well and in good condition, it’s crucial to use high-quality gun oil. But with so many options out there, how do you know which type of gun oil to choose?
Types of Gun Oil
There are a few different types of gun oils on the market, and you need to be aware of the differences before throwing down your hard-earned cash.
First, you have dedicated products that do just one job, such as a dedicated solvent or oil.
Oils for function/lubrication: These oils are typically synthetic, and they can withstand the high pressure and heat of shooting firearms while improving the function and reliability of your gun. Hoppes #9 is a great example of this type of gun oil.
Oils that clean/preserve: These oils may not offer much in the way of performance and lubrication, but they have the added benefit of protecting your firearm against corrosion and can also be used to help you clean it.
Then, you have three-in-one oils that act as a solvent, protective oil, and lubricant. Break Free CLP and Ballistol fall into this category.
Note: I know of a few former Tier 1 military guys who all swear by 5W-20 motor oil as a field expedient lubricant.
A homemade gun lubricant, made by mixing Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease with Mobil 1 10W-30 synthetic motor oil, has proven to be an effective alternative for maintaining various firearms like Glocks and AR series rifles.
This DIY mixture yields a substantial quantity of lubricant, potentially lasting for years. It is a cost-efficient option compared to commercial firearm lubricants, even with an initial investment of $20-$40.
While the homemade lubricant may lack the rust and corrosion prevention capabilities of some gun-specific lubricants and contains chemicals that could be harmful if ingested, these disadvantages may be negligible for those in dry climates such as Colorado.
To create this lubricant, the necessary ingredients can easily be obtained from auto parts stores or large retailers like Walmart. The recommended ratio is 3 parts motor oil to 1 part synthetic grease to achieve a honey-like consistency.
After mixing, the lubricant should be stored in a container – options range from simple home-use containers to more specialized dispensers for easy application. This lubricant is then ready to be used like any other gun lubricant on the market.
For more information on this recipe, see our full article on how to make homemade gun oil lubricant.
Another recipe we’ve found that is easy to make comes from the Army Marksman Shooter team. Check it out!
What is The Best Gun Oil
Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, it’s time to discuss some specific gun oils that we recommend.
Radcolube CLP Gun Oil
Radco Industries, based in Batavia, IL, has created Radcolube® CLP GUN OIL 3IN1, widely considered the standard for cleaning, lubricating, and preserving both small and large caliber firearms. This product is relied upon by the US Military, Law Enforcement, and Competitive Shooters worldwide.
Additionally, Radcolube® CLP GUN OIL 3IN1 is the top choice for firearm maintenance by various shooting organizations, including The Tactical Games™ (TTG), Multi-Gun Competitors, Extreme Long Range Shooting Organization™ (ELRSO), and King of 2 Mile™ (KO2M).
I used Break-Free CLP in the Marine Corps. We used it on all our weapons systems, from the Beretta 92 to our M4 rifles, M60 Machine Guns, and even the 81mm Mortar Tubes.
The best thing about this product is that it works at damn near any temperature without gumming up, which means you can use it in a gun that gets hot during full-auto without any issues.
Moreover, this product has been trusted by military forces worldwide for many decades, which means it has an excellent reputation and has been tested in some of the harshest environments possible.
This is the gun oil that probably everybody’s grandfather had back in the day. It was the standard.
Hoppe’s Traditional Lubricating Oil is a high-quality oil carefully refined to provide excellent lubrication. It has a thick consistency, which makes it long-lasting and prevents it from hardening or becoming sticky.
I keep a few cans of this on my workbench. It’s also easy to throw into a range bag without worrying about it spilling everywhere. The only downside I have noticed is the smell, which mostly stays on my workbench.
It’s not a copper or lead solvent, so you’ll need a different solvent to remove any copper or lead left behind in your barrel. All that said, Ballistol is a battle-proven solvent that will work when needed.
If you’re on more of a budget and want something you can get at most hardware stores, then this is your ticket. The following 3 pack is handy. Throw one in your range bag, keep one on the workbench, and keep the other in reserve for when the apocalypse arrives.
Lucas Extreme Duty Gun Oil is a unique combination of oil and petroleum-based additives, carefully blended to create a lubricant ideal for firearms that undergo high shooting volumes and experience high heat and friction.
This gun oil is specifically formulated for semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, pistols, full-auto firearms, and suppressors. It’s designed to resist burning off quickly, provide excellent protection to metal from rust and moisture, and reduce wear and tear under all shooting conditions due to its polymeric film.
If you’re looking for a gun oil that can handle the intense heat and heavy use that many firearms and NFA items undergo, then Lucas Extreme Duty Gun Oil is an excellent choice.
This lubricant is specially formulated to work effectively under extreme conditions and is ideal for use on firearms that experience high levels of use and heat.
One of the biggest advantages of MILITEC-1 is its extremely low evaporation rate, unlike other Mil-Spec lubricants such as CLP, LSA, and similar products.
This means that firearms treated with MILITEC-1 remain lubricated for a much longer time and won’t dry out or “disappear" over time. They can even be taken out of extended storage and fired immediately without any additional maintenance.
It’s a sad but true fact that the proper care of weapons is sometimes overlooked. However, with MILITEC-1’s long-term lubricating potential, even poorly maintained firearms can fire without jamming.
Once properly applied, MILITEC-1 ensures that a weapon will fire smoothly and reliably every time it’s used.
Gun oil and lube are essential components of firearm maintenance, but they serve slightly different purposes. Understanding the difference between the two is crucial for keeping your firearms in optimal condition.
Gun Oil
Gun oil is primarily designed for long-term protection against corrosion and rust. It’s formulated to provide a thin, even coat that adheres to metal surfaces, creating a barrier that prevents moisture and air from reaching the metal.
This helps safeguard your firearm’s exterior, especially in humid or wet environments. Gun oil is excellent for preserving the finish and appearance of your firearm.
Gun Lube
Gun lube, on the other hand, is designed to lubricate and reduce friction between moving parts within the firearm.
It has a thicker consistency than gun oil. Gun lube is often used in slides, bolts, triggers, and other components requiring regular lubrication to ensure smooth operation. It minimizes wear and tear on these parts, improving reliability and accuracy.
Gun oil is primarily a protective barrier against rust and corrosion, while gun lube is a thicker lubricant to reduce friction between moving parts.
Both are essential for proper firearm maintenance, and they have distinct roles in keeping your firearm functioning reliably and looking its best.
If you want to kill two birds with one stone, Break Free CLP is known for its cleaning AND lubricating properties, making it a versatile choice.
Gun Oil [FAQ]
What is the best gun oil for extreme cold?
When choosing the best gun oil for use in extremely cold conditions, it’s important to look for a lubricant specifically formulated to withstand low temperatures.
Some factors to consider when selecting an oil for use in cold weather include viscosity, lubrication properties, and the ability to resist freezing.
Synthetic oil is one of the top choices for gun oil in extremely cold conditions, and it can maintain its viscosity and lubrication properties even in temperatures well below freezing.
Other oils that may be effective in cold weather include mineral oils and specialized arctic formulations.
What gun oil do Navy SEALs use?
The specific type of gun oil used by Navy SEALs is not publicly disclosed. However, they likely use high-quality lubricants designed for use in harsh and demanding environments.
Some key factors to consider when selecting a gun oil for military use include reliability, durability, and resistance to extreme temperatures and environmental conditions.
Many different types of gun oils on the market are formulated to meet the needs of military and law enforcement professionals. That said, Mil-Comm TW25B is used by US/NATO forces.
Is WD 40 good for oiling guns?
WD-40 is not recommended for use as gun oil, as it is not specifically formulated for firearms and may not provide the necessary lubrication and protection for a gun’s moving parts.
While WD-40 is a popular multi-purpose lubricant that can be used for various household and automotive applications, it is not designed to withstand the high pressures and temperatures generated by firearms.
Additionally, WD-40 may contain solvents that can damage certain gun finishes or plastics.
WD-40 can be used with something like Hoppes 9 oil, as shown in the following video.
Conclusion
In the end, choosing the right gun oil isn’t just about keeping your firearm in top shape – it’s about unlocking its true potential.
You’ll experience smoother operation, improved accuracy, and greater overall satisfaction by using the best gun oil for maximum performance.
So, whether you’re a seasoned shooter or starting, don’t settle for anything less than the best.
Find the best gun oil for your specific needs, and let your firearm reach its full potential.
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