Gun Oils

To improve a gun’s accuracy and durability, you can apply lubricants to the exterior of the weapon. To restore the weapon’s appearance, they also polish and shine it, making it simpler for you to recognize your gun in public. The best gun oils should be simple to use, smell well, and feel dry to the touch. They need to guard against rusting or corrosion of the metal finish on your guns. Review the items below, then use our helpful buying advice to choose the best gun oil for your specific needs.

If you only worry about the external features of your guns, especially if you rely on them for self-defense or hunting, you should think about all the moving parts and, more significantly, what is put inside them. To assist you in doing that, we’ve put together a list of the best gun oils that we’ve personally purchased or used while working at a gun shop so you can choose one that keeps your firearms operating whether you’re out on the range or out hunting.

What To Consider When Choosing The Best Gun Oils

You can choose the one that’s best for you if you have the necessary understanding about how different types of oil operate in your handgun. Learn more about the features and benefits of many well-known gun lubricants by reading on.

Base Oil

It’s not necessary for the base oil used in the finished product to match the one listed in the ingredients list. If a manufacturer, for instance, uses any vegetable oil as the base oil, it is acceptable as long as the finished product complies with the ASTM International standard for vegetable oil quality. There are certain variations in how these oils function, though, and these may impact your decision.

Sulfur Content

Sulfur content is a word used to describe how much sulfur is found in a specific oil. Generally speaking, the more sulfur atoms there are in a molecule, the better the oil will be in preventing the fusion of metal particles and resulting friction. For instance, mineral oils can contain up to 1.5 percent sulfur, whereas vegetable oils typically have a sulfur concentration of less than 0.05 percent. The names sulfur and sulfate in these products have separate meanings, despite some overlap.

As a corrosive substance, sulfur can eventually eat away at the parts of your gun. You can make sure that your firearms last longer and need less maintenance by keeping them properly oiled with a substance that includes less than 0.1 percent sulfur.

Viscosity

The viscosity of a lubricating oil determines how well it can minimize friction and how thick a layer it can form during operation. Generally speaking, oil becomes more viscous as it becomes thicker. This increases its ability to withstand leaking and running. But this also increases the likelihood that it will jam up in tiny crevices and openings. Find a lubricant with a viscosity low enough to pass through these areas to prevent clogs.

Film Forming Capacity

How well a gun oil can build a protective layer is another crucial aspect to take into account. This is referred to as the film-forming capacity.

Although conventional mineral oil has a solid reputation for creating a long-lasting coating, numerous synthetic oils now have this capability. These goods are made with the intention of forming a strong, yet extremely thin, barrier of protection. However, if the oil is applied too thickly, it can still clog up and reduce performance even with a high film-forming capacity. Therefore, while having a high film-forming capacity is absolutely helpful, make sure the end product is also appropriate for the application technique being utilized.

Fire Resistance

Gun oils are often applied to shield firearms from the environment, therefore it shouldn’t be surprising that many of them exhibit varied degrees of fire resistance.

Vegetable oils, in general, are the least fire resistant since they burn easily and swiftly deteriorate. The most fire-resistant synthetic oils, on the other hand, are those produced from highly refined petroleum products. They are less likely to burn, which makes them less likely to deteriorate in a hot environment. Even yet, there may be variations within these groups. For instance, mineral oil-based lubricants are commonly advised due to their durability, but recent studies have indicated that they might not keep up as well as once believed. As always, consulting the manufacturer’s guidelines is the best way to figure out a lubricant’s proper fire resistance rating.

Use

Are you interested in cleaning and restoring firearms that have been asleep in your gun safe or closet for some time? If so, they’ll probably require some oil that can lubricate your gun’s working parts and shield its metal exterior from corrosion. After spending the entire day in the field, practically any gun oil will do if you only need something to wipe your gun with.

Irritants

The majority of gun oils fall under the category of an irritant. Your options will be far more constrained if this is a deal-breaker for you. There are non-toxic alternatives that perform similarly to many gun lubricants.

Cleaning

It’s crucial to remember that you shouldn’t limit your cleaning to using gun oil. Despite the fact that many gun oils may clean and remove copper, lead, and carbon fouling from your bore, these oils function best when used as lubricants or protectors. If you only use gun oil, your workspace should also have one of the best pistol cleaning kits and a gun solvent.

Temperature

You’ll need tough-conditions gun oil if you subject your firearms to severe temperature changes. Use a thin coat of gun oil or stay away from heavy, viscous products if you hunt in very cold climates because they can become gummy in freezing weather. However, thin oils might burn or evaporate more quickly in warmer weather, especially if you’re firing a lot of rounds at the range.

Environment

Guns might freeze up in dusty or sandy circumstances. Thin oils might not be sufficient if there is enough dirt and dust. In this situation, thicker or more conventional lubricant products are more likely to keep your gun functional.

Types Of Gun Oils

Depending on the use, distribution method, and materials employed, there are various ways to categorize gun oils. We decided to categorize the oil according to its intended use in an effort to keep things simple.

Solvents

If you are not familiar with or have never heard of a solvent, consider cleaner. Specifically for cleaning, they are chemicals that dissolve other compounds. When you fire a round, the carbon released when the gunpowder burns will gather in practically every nook of the gun. Since the buildup can be challenging to get rid of, employing a solvent or soaking the parts in one will help in dissolving it and facilitate cleaning.

Lubricants

Friction is unpleasant and hurts everyone. Guns don’t like it either since bare metal to metal action could result in serious malfunctions. We’re talking about damaged components, worn-out parts, or worse. All you need to do is apply lubricating oil to ensure the action operates correctly and smoothly. These are only intended to stop unnecessary friction and heating of parts; they do not clean.

Protectants

It’s important to have oil that guards the metal from corrosion or damage whether you constantly shoot or store your pistol for months at a time. These oils are made with the intention of filling the pores in the wood or metal. A process known as resinification causes some oils to somewhat harden. The material is shielded from oxidation and other substances, such as skin oil, that gradually break it down by filling the pores.

How We Chose Our Top Picks Gun Oils

To assist you in locating the best gun oils available right now, we devoted hours to research, analysis of consumer information, study of user feedback, comparison of product features, and testing. We also looked for several types of gun oils during the search, only choosing the ones that matched all of our criteria.

We also made sure they were durable, easy to use, and had useful features, everything you would need. We tested all of the best products and looked into their effectiveness before compiling the list below, which includes a decent selection of gun oils at various price points, suitable for both experts and novices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gun Oils

How much do gun oils cost?

Gun oils range in price from a few dollars to about $20, depending on the size of the item. Kits for cleaning and lubricating firearms are available for this price range or a little bit more.

Is gun grease better than oil?

Gun grease and oil are both better suited for distinct situations, not because one is superior to the other. Due to their lower viscosity than gun grease, gun oils are more than capable of lubricating and protecting assault weapons against rust. Gun grease is frequently applied for long-term storage (see the surplus military rifles that receive religious coating) or to firearms that are subjected to severe environments or heavy use. The needs of the average hunter or shooter can be met by the majority of gun lubricants..

What is the difference between gun oil and motor oil?

While motor oil is made for the internal combustion engine in your automobile, gun oil is made specifically to protect and lubricate firearms. The primary distinction between the two is that whereas motor oil is synthetic, gun oil is based on petroleum.

How often should I oil my gun?

Depending on the gun and how you use it, you should lubricate your weapon as needed. If the gun is used frequently, it should be cleaned and lubricated frequently. It won’t require nearly as much oiling if the gun spends the majority of the year in the safe. It’s a good idea to remove and oil those pieces twice a year as a general rule.

How do I clean a firearm after shooting?

After firing, the best way to clean a gun is with water and a mild soap solution. Use a little TLC (treat metal with a little TLC) and, if you have it, a light layer of CLP or WD-40 if you are concerned about rust. You can also use a cleaning kit from Brownells or Cammenga, although we don’t recommend it because they frequently come with too many other tools and are overly packed. We prefer to use exactly what is necessary and keep things simple. However, if you must use something like a cleaning kit, make sure to completely cleanse the interior of the barrel before continuing.