Lube for Locks

[uno676]

I was wondering what everyone uses for lube on their locks after cleaning. :idunno:

 

[Black Hand]

Bear oil.

 

[don hepler]

I just looked at the instructions that came with a Chambers lock. It said oil all moving parts and grease all sliding parts.

I caught a little flack for mentioning grease. But if you clean the lock each time or even frequently, you're not going to gather dirt.

If it's good enough for a Chambers lock, it's good enough for mine. Any light gun oil and gun grease.

 

[uno676]

That's what I was doing but I know black powder and petroleum products don't mix well so i was taking a pulse.

 

[bpd303]

I've used just 3in1 oil for over 50 years without a problem. Guess I'll continue using it.

 

[Zonie]

That's what I was doing but I know black powder and petroleum products don't mix well so i was taking a pulse.

I think it takes the heat of the burning powder to create the hard fouling deposits petroleum oils can cause in the barrel.

I've never seen any negative results from using grease on the tumbler horn where the mainspring on many locks rubs.
Small surfaces like where the sear engages the half cock or full cock notches should be oiled.
This is especially important if there is a fly in the lock. A thick grease can cause a fly to hang up and not flop back and forth like it should.

For locks with a hinged stirrup like many L&R locks have you can forget the grease and just use a good grade of gun oil (or 3 in 1 if your mom doesn't mind you raiding her sewing machine drawer. :grin: )

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I take my locks out each time, running them under the faucet with hot water and a bristle brush. Almost instantly spotless. A pop in the oven at it's lowest heat setting with the door cracked for a half hour dries it totally. Then I use ballistol to coat all parts and reassemble.

 

[Bearkiller]

I use Ballistol on all moving parts. Ballistol dissolves black powder so no grunge worries.

 

[Stumpkiller]

A very small amount of liquid Birchwood-Casey Barricade.

 

[coloradoclyde]

I'm supposed to oil my lock? :shocked2: :shocked2: :idunno:

 

[Bearkiller]

I'm supposed to oil my lock? :shocked2: :shocked2: :idunno:

Only if it squeaks :haha:

 

[Kansas Jake]

3 in 1 for me too for 40+ years.

 

[Ames]

Premium Abu Garcia fishing reel oil.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I use Ballistol on all moving parts. Ballistol dissolves black powder so no grunge worries.

Ballistol leaves a heavy gunk. I almost had to take a bolt action unmentionable to the gunsmith because Ballistol froze the bolt. Awful stuff, never again.
Any decent gun oil is fine. I have used WD-40 for decades with good results.

 

[Maven]

ATF (unused) works very well too.

 

[necchi]

Gun Oil. Fresh, clean Gun Oil.
I like Hoppes 9 Lubricating Oil.
Almost all oils get gummy as they get old and it only takes a few months.
There are and have been many threads here guys post about their locks not working properly,, and the fix is usually just a de-greasing, full cleaning and fresh oil.

 

[uno676]

That's why I asked I have had issues with mine in the past. I was fishing for better techniques. Which I've recieved many different options. It's almost like the bullet lube question everybody has their own process. :hmm:

 

[Cowboy]

When it comes to Traditional Muzzleloader's, there is a lot of different trails to take to arrive at the same destination! Like Rifleman1776 always says " It's a do your own thang game " as long as your practices are safe!

Respectfully, Cowboy :hatsoff:

 

[rdstrain49]

I like Kroil for oiling and general rust prevention and Tetra Gun Grease for all contact points of moving parts including the trigger/s. Tetra preforms well hot or cold or really cold. Most assuredly not old school, but it works for me.

 

[Grimord]

I use powdered graphite for my locks, especially in the winter.