AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: smylee grouch on April 18, 2024, 11:12:39 PM
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This is a some what off season question but what lube, if any do you use in COLD weather on lock internals? Cold as in below ZERO F. cold so the lock internals don't gum up.
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I use Lubriplate white lithium grease on lock internals. I really haven't hunted in sub-zero temperatures with any of my MLs, only down to single digits.
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Light oil, applied and rubbed off.
Just a touch.
Gin used to be used to clean gum off locks.
The above works at minus 25C or so, whatever that is in English.
Much colder and I stayed home!
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For the lube I would try mink oil as for lock lube try a dry spray lube :-\.
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I have used moly grease for years - Birchwood Casey. Works fine, but that is for shooting above -10F.
Before switching to the moly, I used synthetic bearing grease by Amsoil when hunting down to -40F (one late fall, -56F)
That was cold weather hunting that breaks main springs. I wouldn't advise it. We stopped shooting our trail at -20F, due to that problem.
Amsoil's 85/90 weight gear oil, pours at -40F, BTW. It would also work well as a lock lube, all year - just a 'touch'.
Most motor oils today are either partial synthetic or 100% synthetic, whether they say so or not. A 100% petroleum oil
today is just about impossible to find.
I've read with petroleum oils, temperatures today would be over 300F in the bearing races, and that temp turns 100% petroleum
oils into asphalt.
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For lock internals I use a product called Driven. It’s use on mating parts when assembling an engine. Works good. I’m not sure how it works in sub-zero temperatures.
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Sounds like a waste of gin.
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Synthetic motor oil. Oil changes and the little bit left in each bottle give me all I need. Current pickup used 0-20. I use Amsoil. I guess I could look up the pour point, but suspect its -50 at least. I was wrong its -63. So its not going to gum up at any temp I will see. Or even in Canada/Alaska unless REALLY motivated. There are synthetic firearms greases that are very low temp as well. On claims it will maintain a lube barrier from -85 to +700. Bore Tech. Dunno. But I have confidence that Amsoil is correct.
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I have been using Amsoil synthetic products since about 1976. They are worth the "extra" cost over less expensive oils, lubes and sprays.
Currently have Amsoil Synthetic Marine Gear Lube in my Merc 20hp boat motor.
Now that I'm thinking about it, I'll use it in my locks as a test, but normally use a thin skim of moly for bearing surfaces
Never gums and doesn't wash out/off when cleaning the lock in water.
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I use ATF for 90% of my gun oil needs.
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Does ATF have rust inhibitors in it?
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Not sure.....Oil prevents rust? In my area, rust is not an issue. I have not had rust with ATF. ATF is the modern substitute for sperm whale oil? Sperm oil was supposed to be excellent. I have lots of ATF. It works for me. I have noticed that most any mineral derived oil is fine for a general purpose lube. Shooters seem to get worked up over the best oil, I don't worry about it.
I just put some ATF in my deep freeze. IT thickened to about like 30W motor oil at that about about 0* F.
If I were out hunting in the bitter cold, and I'd never do that : ), I speculate that a bit of silicone spray lube might work well in the lock? Possibly graphite instead of oil?
I have melted anhydrous lanolin into ATF. That makes is a bit slicker and thicker and may help inhibit rust a bit better. That is Ed's red with out the acetone or kerosene.
When I put a gun away for an extended period of time I use LPS-3 in the bore to positively prevent rust.
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Synthetic grease, specifically I use a product sold by Brian Enos called Slide Glide Lite. Modern contraptions that will go thousands of shots between maintenance get lots of it, locks on ML get a thin film. Everything I have has it as at least on the high pressure/wear points. It does tighten up a bit in very cold weather but it won't slow a decent lock down enough to be an issue at all. Best part of all, no matter how hard you use it you will still find it where you put it when maintenance does happen, very high tack and stays put. If you want you can thin it by mixing with synthetic oil and it will still stay where you need it much better than any oil.
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That is what the Birchwood Casey's Moly does for me.
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I have started experimenting with Nyoil for various applications. It is rated to -25F.
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Amsoil gear lube, 85W90 pours at -40.
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Have carried my gun in cold weather, but at 40 below the lock has to be kept warm under your arm, whatever lube is used.
Mainsprings don't like it that cold.
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We've had them break on the BP trail at -20F and colder.(-18C & colder)
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Ezzxactly, Daryl!
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Milcom TW-25B grease, I have used it for many years on high speed and load parts, tight fitted firearms and full auto firearms. I have tested it by leaving a gun in a freezer over night then shooting, it's good down to -90f and prevents rust.
As far a dry lube goes I use hNB ultra fine powder (shotgun mag tubes, pistol mags), it works great as a patch lube when you put some in a zip lock bag and throw in some pre-cut patches, it's very slick.
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Where do you get the Milcom grease?
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https://www.amazon.com/Mil-Comm-Premium-1-5-Ounce-Synthetic-Lubricant/dp/B002T1ZW2E
They have it at Midway, Brownells also.
https://www.amazon.com/MICROLUBROL-HEXAGONAL-NITRIDE-Powder-micron/dp/B01N1R5LM0/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2USBE7H7FKF18&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vHSms5_U2FpRnwHHnrFCChSgV0KNysQeE4pG_sklmjvnmEKIGpbpg9r1rYnM3aXelHWqITgj3nTbthyKuHdD_jm9JSfu6l8nX3Ws9itlpXw.Ws1m-upj69nTfaxJy0hJTNZZk_5NYKMAU9ALcqjD9g0&dib_tag=se&keywords=hbn+ultra+fine&qid=1719699054&s=industrial&sprefix=hbn+ultra+fine%2Cindustrial%2C64&sr=1-3
Hate it but Amazon has most things
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https://mil-comm.com/tw25b/
For info