10W30 motor oil as gun lube?

Ive used motor oil, usually synthetic, and found that it works just fine. Ive also used ATF, which I think would be better in cold weather as it doesn't thicken near as much as motor oil.
 
I would say for the cost of gun oil developed for firearms why would you even consider 10w30. If you're the kind of guy that squeezes your nickels so hard the beaver $hits have at her.
 
littlehughey said:
Just buy a bottle of mineral oil, it will last you for years.
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I do believer mineral oil is used to cool/lubricate tile cutting and jade/quartz cutting saws that have an industrial diamond cutting edge. I once was in a shop purchasing cutting oil and the relative filling in for the sick owner let this slip by accident.
He turned red face and left our conversation. Thier cutting oil they sell is more $$ than mineral oil.
I don't know if this is true or not. The substitution.
 
I use the clear oil used for airline oilers in compressed air lines.

It's right around 5 wt.

As guntech stated, very little. Just a wipe with a cloth over the bolt is enough to keep things running smooth on a bolt rifle and airline oil isn't temperature sensitive and is a corrosion inhibitor.

It's easily transferred from a one liter bottle to a smaller applicator for lubing internals.

It's also odorless and doesn't hold particles in suspension. It's detergent free.

Doesn't get sticky, like Ballistol, which is also pretty good.
 
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I'm thinking that turbine oil would be even better than motor oil. If it's good for $250,000 turbines, it should work fine on guns. I have flown turbines from -40 to more than + 40.I'm going to give it a try.
 
B_noser said:
Motor oil contains detergents and is designed to hold contaminants in suspension. I would not consider using a lubricant with those properties on any firearm. I prefer to use a non detergent oil in 10 - 20 weight, which will not hold contaminants in suspension.
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you are absolutely right. detergent cause foaming and cavitation in fast moving parts like gearboxes amd reduce flash point and can be unsafe in air compressor. but seriously, unless you can cycle a Bolt as fast as a minigun, .......... but yes, there are products which are more effective and don't cost much more
 
B said:
Used motor oil is a carcinogen in tests with mice, fresh oil is safe. I doubt the OP was gonna go that route...
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Magellann said:
Clean (motor) oil is not a carcinogen, dirty used oil can be.
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I get that. I've dodged one bullet so to speak so I'm a little more careful about what I get on my skin, etc. Motor oil is designed and formulated for modern engines. The demands that a firearm places on an oil is about as low tech as it comes. Sure, you can use engine oil on your firearm if that pleases you.
 
0W-20 full synthetic is good for guns. It has never frozen or completely dried in years of use. I get syringes from pharmacies to apply it.
Been out shooting in -18C. A $6 liter goes a long way.
 
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