Silicone?
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Most anything would be ok, at least in a pinch. On some campaigns in central America in the 1920s and 1930s the Marines used hair oil when they ran out of regular lube. But, silicone doesn't seem to be used, or at least advertised that much in current firearm lube products.
I've noticed that too - PTFE is mostly used, as well as synthetic oils and proprietary additives.
Any reason I should not use silicone for firearm lubrication/protection? It's thin, and doesn't appear to be any stickier than regular "CLP".
It should handle high temperatures (450F+) very well with minimal health risks related to external contact with silicone.
Any reason I should not use silicone for firearm lubrication/protection? It's thin, and doesn't appear to be any stickier than regular "CLP".
It should handle high temperatures (450F+) very well with minimal health risks related to external contact with silicone.
I bought a can of 3-in-1 Pro Silicone Spray.
According to the MSDS, it's essentially WD-40 with hexane and silicone.
I sprayed it on my Butler Creek flip covers and my scopes to see if it would gum up after sitting awhile.
So far, it's just really really slick. No gummy residue, and it's "thinner" than regular CLPs.
According to the MSDS, it's essentially WD-40 with hexane and silicone.
I sprayed it on my Butler Creek flip covers and my scopes to see if it would gum up after sitting awhile.
So far, it's just really really slick. No gummy residue, and it's "thinner" than regular CLPs.
Subject: WD-40: The Official Word
From: [email protected] (Dan Z)
The following was a "Letter to the Editor" in the June, 1993 issue of
"Combat Handguns." It was signed:
Louis E. Repaci
WD-40 Company
San Diego, CA
To the Editors:
One of your readers forwarded a "letter the editors" article to our
attention. The gentleman commented on an article written by Mark
Parsons "Keep 'Em Clean," and that he was aghast that the use of WD-40
is recommended for guns as it is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the
air).
Could we please clear the air and set the record straight for your
readers by correcting the misconceptions regarding the use of WD-40 on
firearms.
WD-40 is a lubricant, penetrant, rust preventative, moisture displacer
and cleaner used extensively in the firearms industry on:
* Gun barrel (inside and out)
* Ejection mechanism
* Firing pin and magazine
WD-40 is not hygroscopic ((does not) absorb moisture from air)
WD-40 does not contain chlorinated paraffins or contribute to stress
cracking of stainless alloys. WD-40 does not degrade into acidic
byproducts under exposure to ozone.
WD-40 does not contain Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's), HCFC's, Halons, or
1.1.1 Trichlorethane (Methyl Chlorofrom); chemicals that are alleged to
contribute to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer.
WD-40 is used exclusively at Trinidad College's School of Gunsmithing
in Colorado for general gun care and maintenance as well as after the
bluing process to displace the saltwater solution in order to prevent
metal corrosion and rusting.
According to Professor Harold Thomason, WD-40 displaces water which is
why it is used in the final stages of the bluing process.
Other uses for WD-40 include:
1. For excessive powder build up, use WD-40 as a cleaner.
2. If a case is used for storage, WD-40 is all the protection required.
Under these conditions WD-40 will protect firearms for one year or
more.
3. If WD-40 is used with teflon, silicone, graphite or grease,
softening of these type lubricants may occur. To correct this simply
flush with WD-40 to remove the gummmy residue. WD-40 is all the
protection required.
4. WD-40 may stain unfinished wooden stocks. WD-40 has no effect on
finished wood.
I would appreciate your assistance in sharing the foregoing information
with your readers.
Sincerely (signature as above)
From: [email protected] (Dan Z)
The following was a "Letter to the Editor" in the June, 1993 issue of
"Combat Handguns." It was signed:
Louis E. Repaci
WD-40 Company
San Diego, CA
To the Editors:
One of your readers forwarded a "letter the editors" article to our
attention. The gentleman commented on an article written by Mark
Parsons "Keep 'Em Clean," and that he was aghast that the use of WD-40
is recommended for guns as it is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the
air).
Could we please clear the air and set the record straight for your
readers by correcting the misconceptions regarding the use of WD-40 on
firearms.
WD-40 is a lubricant, penetrant, rust preventative, moisture displacer
and cleaner used extensively in the firearms industry on:
* Gun barrel (inside and out)
* Ejection mechanism
* Firing pin and magazine
WD-40 is not hygroscopic ((does not) absorb moisture from air)
WD-40 does not contain chlorinated paraffins or contribute to stress
cracking of stainless alloys. WD-40 does not degrade into acidic
byproducts under exposure to ozone.
WD-40 does not contain Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's), HCFC's, Halons, or
1.1.1 Trichlorethane (Methyl Chlorofrom); chemicals that are alleged to
contribute to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer.
WD-40 is used exclusively at Trinidad College's School of Gunsmithing
in Colorado for general gun care and maintenance as well as after the
bluing process to displace the saltwater solution in order to prevent
metal corrosion and rusting.
According to Professor Harold Thomason, WD-40 displaces water which is
why it is used in the final stages of the bluing process.
Other uses for WD-40 include:
1. For excessive powder build up, use WD-40 as a cleaner.
2. If a case is used for storage, WD-40 is all the protection required.
Under these conditions WD-40 will protect firearms for one year or
more.
3. If WD-40 is used with teflon, silicone, graphite or grease,
softening of these type lubricants may occur. To correct this simply
flush with WD-40 to remove the gummmy residue. WD-40 is all the
protection required.
4. WD-40 may stain unfinished wooden stocks. WD-40 has no effect on
finished wood.
I would appreciate your assistance in sharing the foregoing information
with your readers.
Sincerely (signature as above)
FP-10 and Militec-1 both contain chlorinated paraffins.
As for HF gas - PTFE decomposes into HF gas, whereas WD-40 (according to its MSDS) as well as 3-in-1 silicone spray, do not decompose (in fire) into toxic gases or corrosive gases.
regarding the use of silicone as a firearm lube, i have heard that silicone is a very poor boundary lubricant in metal-to-metal interactions, not preventing asperities on the metal surfaces from ploughing grooves into eachother. on the other hand, silicone is a decent polymer-to-metal or rubber-to-metal lube, and one of its forms, dimethicone, might be the world's greatest "personal" lubricant...
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