Best oil for long term storage

[Martin S.]

I searched the threads, but most were related to finishing oil.

I am interested in what oil to put on a rifle that will sit in the safe for six months to a year.

Yes, I have a thing in my safe to remove moisture, so I have that covered.

I know how to clean a gun, so I am ok there.

Just looking for the best long term oil.

Thank you, and I wish everyone a happy and safe new year.

[davec2]

One of the best and most comprehensive tests of gun care and other commercial products for rust prevention, etc.  Long but very informative.

http://www.dayattherange.com/?page_id=3667

Bottom line, out of 46 products EXTENSIVELY tested , Frog Lube and WD 40 Specialist come out at the very top.  I do not use Frog Lube on the internals of any of my modern guns but do use it to wipe down all my muzzleloaders.  It's mostly coconut oil...but smells nice.  If you read through the above post, it eliminates a lot of the advertising hype and gets down to what works and what doesn't.

[Martin S.]

Excellent, thanks Dave!

[okawbow]

Get the bore completely dry and clean, and I have found RIG Gun Grease to prevent any rust in the bore. I check all guns every 6 months or so and no corrosion.

[Mike from OK]

I "bought into the hype" around WD-40 Specialist Long Term Corrosion Inhibitor... I watched/read several "torture" tests where it ranked high and thought I'd give it a go.

Not only did I still get light rust... but make absolutely, darn sure, 100% certain that you remove every trace of it from your bore before you shoot the gun. It will leave a baked-on crud ring like you wouldn't believe.

I went back to using olive oil. It isn't the best oil... I still have to do my due diligence of checking the bore and applying oil every so often... But if I leave traces of it in the bore I don't have to scrub out baked asphalt.

It might defeat corrosion better in a safe with a dehumidifier... So your mileage may vary in that regard.

Just a heads up.

Mike

[snapper]

I use Fluid Film and G96  and have had great protection with both.

I also use Renaissance Wax Polish on the stocks occasionally and really like it as well.

Fleener

[WadePatton]

Best is always relative around here (maybe everywhere). Enjoy the choices, there will be many.  I'm not "fixed" on any one thing yet.

[MuskratMike]

The Amish sell a product for protecting their fine wood pieces. It is a combination of pure lemon oil and beeswax. Works great in fact if I know I am going to be shooting in the rain I will wipe some on the entire gun (barrel and metal parts to) 15 minutes wipe off and water literally beads off the gun like a fresh wax job on the 'ol Pontiac!

[Tim Ault]

Don’t know if it’s the “best” but plain ole 3-1 oil has worked well for me for 10 years inside and out of my black powder rifles . Dad used whatever oil he had sitting on the shelf  at the time When watching him as a kid  clean his rifle after deer season .

[alyce-james]

Martin S; Sir, I purchased a case of 50 each 2 oz. WW-2 oil, lubricating preservative, light oil. Made by Standard Oil Company New Jersey U.S.A. Many Years, back when, ago. Never used anything else. Never a problem one. Have a great News Day and a productive 2022 year. AJ.

[redheart]

Get the bore completely dry and clean, and I have found RIG Gun Grease to prevent any rust in the bore. I check all guns every 6 months or so and no corrosion.

I agree, RIG really works for long term storage. Tried and true!

[ScottNE]

Whatever I have laying around — ballistol, olive oil, a little orange bottle of some kind of oil, grease
 — never noticed any difference in the results regardless of what I use.

[Daryl]

MUCH depends on the relative humidity in your area, with what works and what doesn't.
Here, my rifles get a WD40 flush after drying them with patches, then the excess WD40 is blasted out the nipple seat or vent and the outside wiped down with that patch
or a larger WD40 sprayed patch when using the small bore rifle. All my jags are sized so a doubled flannelette patch is used.
Result, if no rust - here.

[Jeff Murray]

I have also had good luck with WD40 in both humid and dry climates.  It is a good idea to check the bores of your guns periodically and make sure all is well.  That can be good therapy if you are enduring a hard winter.

[Frank]

MUCH depends on the relative humidity in your area, with what works and what doesn't.
Here, my rifles get a WD40 flush after drying them with patches, then the excess WD40 is blasted out the nipple seat or vent and the outside wiped down with that patch
or a larger WD40 sprayed patch when using the small bore rifle. All my jags are sized so a doubled flannelette patch is used.
Result, if no rust - here.

Ditto

[Panzerschwein]

A RIG’s grease works wonders.

[Daryl]

AGREED - RIG is one of the best, for longggggg term storage.

[Martin S.]

Martin S; Sir, I purchased a case of 50 each 2 oz. WW-2 oil, lubricating preservative, light oil. Made by Standard Oil Company New Jersey U.S.A. Many Years, back when, ago. Never used anything else. Never a problem one. Have a great News Day and a productive 2022 year. AJ.

My dad worked for Esso Eastern most of his life, before they cut nearly the entire company around the 1986 oil industry crash.  His first position was in the oil refinery in Linden, NJ.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, I'll give a few of them a try.  Leaning towards the RIG and the Frog Lube.

I've got some Renaissance Wax somewhere, I'll try it on my stocks.

[elkhart]

Any good gun oil. I lean towards Hoppes products.

I would never put food-based oils or lard, or anything like that on my centerfire guns, would never use it on the black powder guns either.

Gun oils and lubes are for guns, food-based oils are for cooking. Probably going to ruffle some feathers on that stance, but there it is!

[Clark Badgett]

My home is effectively climate controlled to the point that I can leave any of my guns oil free and not get rust. My expensive tools at work are another story all together. Think hot and humid in the summer, and barely above 60* in the winter. Ballistol keeps everything rust free and it never polymerizes to a hard goo. Keeps my hands from chapping as well.

[hanshi]

There are lots of preservatives available that will work to prevent rust; but it's wise to choose one that's a good match for your particular weather.  Yes, at the top is Rig grease, but I consider it more as a "stored-away" preservative in the same class as cosmoline.  My guns rarely go more than a few weeks without me checking/tinkering and doing maintenance on them, so my choices might not be sufficient for your needs.

My take is somewhat controversial.  I've used WD40, 3-1 oil, several gun oils, etc in the past with excellent results.  But for quite a few years I've settled on Barricade or BreakFree CLP for use in the bore.  I occasionally wax the stock but I always wipe the lock, stock and barrel with a cloth dampened with TYPE F Tranny fluid.  Type F is very waxy and protects the stock finish and all exterior metal.  I've been using it for 20 years and it keeps the wood AND metal protected.

[Marvin S]

There are lots of preservatives available that will work to prevent rust; but it's wise to choose one that's a good match for your particular weather.  Yes, at the top is Rig grease, but I consider it more as a "stored-away" preservative in the same class as cosmoline.  My guns rarely go more than a few weeks without me checking/tinkering and doing maintenance on them, so my choices might not be sufficient for your needs.

My take is somewhat controversial.  I've used WD40, 3-1 oil, several gun oils, etc in the past with excellent results.  But for quite a few years I've settled on Barricade or BreakFree CLP for use in the bore.  I occasionally wax the stock but I always wipe the lock, stock and barrel with a cloth dampened with TYPE F Tranny fluid.  Type F is very waxy and protects the stock finish and all exterior metal.  I've been using it for 20 years and it keeps the wood AND metal protected.

I do about exactly the same except spray a quick shot of barricade in the drum area on percussion guns because it’s hard to get to. Bores get wiped with type F transmission fluid. It has anti corrosion properties. RIG is for very long term storage, I would hate to clean it out every time I wanted to shoot it. In all honesty any decent lite machine oil will work fine.

[WadePatton]

This guy does some pretty good testing videos. This isn't square on point, but the first one I found that's nearly on point. Also is very informative, and for this crowd-some finishing ideas. 


The title is actually "Do Penetrating Oils Block Rust" not the thumbnail caption.

[Eric Kettenburg]

I've always used just plain old CLP or Mobil 1 synthetic for pretty much any oiling needs on any gun:  flintlocks or not-to-be-mentioned guns that like to run wet.  Never had a problem here even in the ridiculous humidity of the last few summers.

[Daryl]

That was interesting, Wade. Thanks. WD40 did better than I would have thought.
I think a futher test, with dried WD40 would be necessary.
Surprising, though.