3-in-1 oil for exteriors?

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I am really cheap and have tons of 3-in-1 oil. I feel my handguns need a wipedown before storage on the grip to prevent rust. Would 3-in-1 oil be adequate for this task on a 686?
 
3-IN-ONE is not a good choice to prevent rust. In fact, you're asking for it.

Your stainless finish is rust-resistant, that is true, and you might get away with it, but there are many better choices to protect metal from rust and corrosion.

Use a polarized rust preventative or a gun grease.
 
For short or long term storage?
For Short term any good gun oil will do. Are they stored in a case or a safe?

I personally don't like 3in1 oil for any thing gun or not...

I am not sure about long term storage. Have never really stored a gun for more than about 4 months with out shooting it...
I have heard of every thing form axle grease to motor oil for long term storage...
 
I have used nothing else but 3 in 1 for exteriors and interiors, works just fine for me. The secret is not to forget to shake the can well before you use it, there are three of them in there you know:runaway::runaway::runaway:
 
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Spencer said:
I have used nothing else but 3 in 1 for exteriors and interiors, works just fine for me. The secret is not to forget to shake the can well before you use it, there are three of them in there you know:runaway::runaway::runaway:
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i use WD-40. thats what it was designed for. it replaced
cosmoline in the war so guns shiped overseas could be
un crated .loaded and fired.
 
jbunny said:
i use WD-40. thats what it was designed for. it replaced
cosmoline in the war so guns shiped overseas could be
un crated .loaded and fired.
Click to expand...

WD40 was invented during the cold war as a water displacement compound and used as a degreaser and rust preventative agent in missiles.

The problem with this stuff and 3-in-1 is that it migrates everywhere.
 
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Wendell said:
3-IN-ONE is not a good choice to prevent rust. In fact, you're asking for it.

Your stainless finish is rust-resistant, that is true, and you might get away with it, but there are many better choices to protect metal from rust and corrosion.

Use a polarized rust preventative or a gun grease.
Click to expand...

I agree there are better choices, but are you aware of something in 3 in 1 oil that would make it cause rust? Personally, I prefer G96 spray can gun treatment / cleaner. Unless its in an unusual environment, I can't imagine a 686 being at much risk of rust. I had one for years, shooting it 2x a week on average, and handling it a lot, and never saw any signs of deterioration of the finish. I used the same rag to wipe it down after cleaning and spraying with G96, and the oil residue in the rag was more than sufficient to keep it looking like new. You can be a lot less particular about finger prints on a stainless handgun kept indoors than say a blued steel model.
 
I also recommend the G96 treatment. It gets into the metal and protects it. Also it makes it very easy to wipe of carbon without having to scrub. Another side benefit is that the pistol is slicker so it draws faster, and seems to have less holster wear marks.

It's good stuff and worth the price.
I spray some down the barells of my rifles when they go into the safe for longer term storage to prevent rust.

I have a can of WD-40 as well. I use that for squeaky doors, etc. Not on my firearms.
 
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