Lubrication instructions

[lanceriley]

yep I understand that it is a replacement of the whale oil. but what does the whale oil do as a component of our gun lubricant? is it for penetration?

ATF Dextron lll replaces the Whale oil used in the original WW ll arsenal solvent, do a google search for Ed's Red. There is a good article explaining the properties. ATF has replaced the Whale oil properties, but exceeded the original Whale oil properties. Whales are in short supply these days.
Someone more curious about such matters than me has researched all this, I just tried it and am extremely pleased with it. I use the ATF in both Ed's Red Solvent, and the Mobile 1 lub formular.
Google Ed's Red and it comes right up.
Walt

[Walver]

yep I understand that it is a replacement of the whale oil. but what does the whale oil do as a component of our gun lubricant? is it for penetration?

There is a very technical explanation for that if you Google Ed's Red. I could care less if I don't understand it. Metal conditioning as I understand it?

You can use Mobil 1 alone, but it's missing some of the properties found in the rest of that formula, 70% Mobil 1, 15% Marvin Mystery oil, 15% ATF.

I'm very pleased with the lube, and the solvent mentioned above, both with some ATF in it. It stays where you put it in extreme heat and doesn't evaporate.
Walt

[jbfb]

Thank you very much walver... i hope i can find that marvin mystery oil here in our country.

[Gripper]

http://www.marvelmysteryoil.com/

Here's a link to Marvel Mystery oil, so you will know exactly what you are looking for.
-G

[JM likes loud mouth]

Thanks John, for the tips on lubing. and everything else. Theres a lot of parts that i never thought needed the lube. Your guns must function silky smooth? Thanks again. JM

[taz man 1911]

what type/brand lubricant is best for my 1911's ?

[JM likes loud mouth]

Gun Butter, they sell it here.

[Snowghost]

Just a quick question. What about mixing a little graphite lubricant (dry powder) with your lube oil? I have used this on a lot of other applications and the lube will pull the graphite in and as the lube dries out it leaves the graphite behind as a lubricant. (this mix with WD40 works real good on everything from door hinges to the drive chains on my race bikes) although I wouldn't use WD40 on my springer ( I like the sound of the oil, atf, and marvels mix tho)

[rogue1911]

On internal parts I use "oil". I would say a wide range of them would do just fine. As far as the rails go. I use vasoline. Put just a little in the rails in a few places. Makes the slide smooth as silk. I do have to wipe a little off when I first rack the slide for the first time but I tell you there ain't nothing better. It doesn't run, it doesn't dry up, and best of all. It doesn't cost $10.00 for 1/4 of an ounce. Gun Butter is just a rip off. It's one of those things "They" make you think you have to have because it is so expensive. I used to build guitars and there are expensive parts that people think they have to have in order to make it sound good. It's a load of horse hockey. Think about it. You are putting lube on metal parts that work together. Why are there special lubricants for this and only this. Sure, your gun is not the same as the pistons in your engine. All I'm saying is just think "simple". Try different things and see what works best for you.

[Peabody]

You can use Mobil 1 alone, but it's missing some of the properties found in the rest of that formula, 70% Mobil 1, 15% Marvin Mystery oil, 15% ATF.

Walver, I appreciate all of your input. You seem like a really knowledgeable person.

One thing is unclear to me though. If motor oil or synthetic motor oil is good enough for a car engine operating at extreme heat and friction why would it not be good enough alone to lube a pistol with?

I'm not saying that I disagree with anything that you have posted or recommended. I'm just curious b/c one would think that it would be more than adequate to do the job.

Let me add that I am a newbie at best about maintenance and lubing as far as firearms are concerned.