lubricating grease

[smart dog]

Hi,
I am finishing up a swivel breech rifle.  The swivel mechanism was made by Dave Price and is a precision-made gem.  The central pivot involves a thick cylindrical collar fitting into a thick walled sleeve.  The fit is very precise but it seems like a good application for grease. I don't use greases on my guns but this time a lubricant that lasts a long time seems to be a good idea.  I don't want the owner to have to disassemble the swivel action very often for cleaning or lubrication.  Do any of you have a recommendation for a long lasting grease?  I used to pack bearings on my road racing bicycle all the time but that was long ago and I am sure there are some new compounds that are very good.  Thanks for the help.

dave

[PPatch]

Lithium grease would be my choice. Lucas Oil Red-N-Tacky would be the product I would use. A thin application to both surfaces will last and last and it is very slick, it will protect from rust and moisture. An auto store or one of the big box stores should have it, not all that expensive for a small tube or container which you could give to the client.

Here is a quote from a gun forum of an individual who tested the lithium greases: "The Lucas Oil “Red-N-Tacky” is by far the stickiest grease of all the ones I tested. It certainly was correctly named. This grease stays put the best of all. It is easy to apply with your fingers, or else one of those stamped metal handled “acid brushes”. I found this product to last the longest of any grease I tested. One application should last an entire range session for all but the most demanding high round count shooters. It also remained the thickest on hot parts like AR-15 and AK-47 bolts."

dave

[Don Steele]

Another vote for Red-N-Tacky. Excellent product for extreme applications in my experience.

[Hungry Horse]

 I am a firm believer in Perma-tex superlube. It is clear, has teflon in it, and is actually food grade. A thin film of this stuff, will do the job, and not transfer color to other things.
 I keep a tube of this grease in my shooting box, just because I have been on the range so many times, and had new shooters with dry locks have "mechanical breakdowns". A little superlube has saved the day more than once.

     Hungry Horse

[Dphariss]

I use one of the synthetic greases for firearms they are lighter viscosity than the typical grease. Just a very little on the pivot it will spread some anyway.
I also use synthetic motor oil such as 0w30 for the locking pin(s). Grease works good on frizzen spring contacts too.

Dan

[smart dog]

Hi,
Thank you Dan, Don, Dave, and HH!!  You have given me some great information.

dave

[Robby]

Dave, I would use RIG, super slippery and stays on the metal, heck you have to really scrub with good soap to get it off your hands.
Robby

[JCKelly]

molybdenum sulfide bearing grease will stay on a very long time. I have a tube from Dow Corning in my shop