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Posted: 12/8/2025 9:11:29 AM EDT
| I recently shot a match in sub 20 degree temps. Mk18 with an RC2. The gun got as dirty as it always did, but the dirtier it got, the slower and more sluggish it became. No malfunctions, but I could tell it was pretty close. I figured that the cold was causing the carbon buildup to cool and solidify quicker. My current lubricant is the Lucas Oil Extreme Duty Gun Oil. I don't have any issues with it under normal conditions. I came here to ask for recommendations for a good lube that stays on and performs well in colder weather. Keep in mind that a lot of it will be blown off by backpressure from the suppressor. |
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Originally Posted By JoeSP1: I recently shot a match in sub 20 degree temps. Mk18 with an RC2. The gun got as dirty as it always did, but the dirtier it got, the slower and more sluggish it became. No malfunctions, but I could tell it was pretty close. I figured that the cold was causing the carbon buildup to cool and solidify quicker. My current lubricant is the Lucas Oil Extreme Duty Gun Oil. I don't have any issues with it under normal conditions. I came here to ask for recommendations for a good lube that stays on and performs well in colder weather. Keep in mind that a lot of it will be blown off by backpressure from the suppressor. Figured I'd start testing a few new cleaning systems before I'm 100% out. Originally Posted By Tejas1836: I've never had any problem using Slip 2000 EWL, suppressed & full auto down to around ~15 F I also ordered a 3 pk of the various Slip 2000 products... Both products on Black Friday deals. |
LARUEMINATI
NRA Endowment Life Member
Originally Posted By Boom_Stick:
""AKs are for villagers you have to tell not to shit in their water supply.""
NRA Endowment Life Member
Originally Posted By Boom_Stick:
""AKs are for villagers you have to tell not to shit in their water supply.""
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Originally Posted By hotdog250j: LSA or LAW. For extreme cold weather, this.^^^^ I've had good luck with G96 synthetic CLP so far down to about -25. These days my old ass stays indoors for the majority of the cold weather season. 
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"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
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When I was in the Army I carried a quart of PLS with me when we went to the field. Every so often I'd "lube up" the old M60 and it would run for me all week. And it was much easier to clean when we got back. For my regular use/carry ARs (couple AR15s and a GII) I got those magpul grips with the little insert for a small bottle of oil). I've really never had to use the oil but it's there if I needed it. |
How you live your life is important. Just be sure the memory of how you died doesn't overshadow the tales of how you lived your life.
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80 below is what we use Duck Hunting. Works GREAT... 80 Below oil |
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Originally Posted By ELittlefield: Which lube is that? Originally Posted By ELittlefield: Originally Posted By TheQuadfather: I mean the US military has an unlimited budget and came up with a lube *just for* the type of gun you’re using… Which lube is that? Attached File |
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
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Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Originally Posted By ELittlefield: Originally Posted By TheQuadfather: I mean the US military has an unlimited budget and came up with a lube *just for* the type of gun you’re using… Which lube is that? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/416992/images_jpeg-3701476.JPG Is that available anywhere? All I can find is out of stock at MidwayUSA. |
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Originally Posted By ELittlefield: Is that available anywhere? All I can find is out of stock at MidwayUSA. Originally Posted By ELittlefield: Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Originally Posted By ELittlefield: Originally Posted By TheQuadfather: I mean the US military has an unlimited budget and came up with a lube *just for* the type of gun you’re using… Which lube is that? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/416992/images_jpeg-3701476.JPG Is that available anywhere? All I can find is out of stock at MidwayUSA. Surplus shops mainly. It's hit or miss honestly. I'd do a web search as availability is ever changing. |
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
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Originally Posted By M1A4ME: When I was in the Army I carried a quart of PLS with me when we went to the field. Every so often I'd "lube up" the old M60 and it would run for me all week. And it was much easier to clean when we got back. For my regular use/carry ARs (couple AR15s and a GII) I got those magpul grips with the little insert for a small bottle of oil). I've really never had to use the oil but it's there if I needed it. @M1A4ME The PLS made it easier to clean afterwards than using CLP? Wouldn't LSA be best for a M60? You can still get new PLS (non-surplus) if you look out there. |
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Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Surplus shops mainly. It's hit or miss honestly. I'd do a web search as availability is ever changing. Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Originally Posted By ELittlefield: Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Originally Posted By ELittlefield: Originally Posted By TheQuadfather: I mean the US military has an unlimited budget and came up with a lube *just for* the type of gun you’re using… Which lube is that? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/416992/images_jpeg-3701476.JPG Is that available anywhere? All I can find is out of stock at MidwayUSA. Surplus shops mainly. It's hit or miss honestly. I'd do a web search as availability is ever changing. It may still be made new like PSA is. |
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Originally Posted By peacematu: @M1A4ME The PLS made it easier to clean afterwards than using CLP? Wouldn't LSA be best for a M60? You can still get new PLS (non-surplus) if you look out there. It was 1976-79. PLS was "light" for something like an M60 but I carried a quart can with me all the time. When it seemed to get a little sluggish I'd open the feed tray and pour some more in it. It was blanks mostly, sometimes FMJ for some training/testing thing, but mostly those nasty dirty blanks. Yeah, I got a little "oily" sometimes but out in the field was dirty duty anyway so what's a little more dirt? Sometimes we'd get trucked, or march, to a training/bivouac area that had showers in tents so it wasn't a whole week with out a shower every time. |
How you live your life is important. Just be sure the memory of how you died doesn't overshadow the tales of how you lived your life.
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the leftover drips from my Mobil 1 car changes have been going just fine for about 20 years. turn the bottles upside down in a mason jar and let it drip for a day. surprising how much is left in an "empty" bottle. no complaints. effectively free. |
The deuce you say.
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https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Extreme-Cold-Weather-Gun-Lube-/118-784581/?#i8628449 From older testing of firearms lubricants by RCMP at -40 degrees, their four that passed: FP10 TW25b G96 Eezox If you don't want the hassle of trying to find LAW, any of those should work. They are conveniently in different types. |
This is...a clue - Pat_Rogers
I'm not adequately aluminumized for this thread. - gonzo_beyondo
CO, MI, OR - Please lobby your legislators to end discrimination against non-resident CCW permit holders
I'm not adequately aluminumized for this thread. - gonzo_beyondo
CO, MI, OR - Please lobby your legislators to end discrimination against non-resident CCW permit holders
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Not vouching for the source: https://krarmory.com/military-surplus-weapons-lubricating-oil-grade-1-32-oz-liquid-with-free-needle-tip-oil-bottle-.html You could get LAW new in a fancy bright white quart container recently, think from a Castrol (or one of the other big oil names) distributor. Was like $150 a quart. 
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Found a source for new LAW: https://www.thermalfluidshub.com/product/brayco-855-mil-prf-14107-lubricant-1-pint-can/ I hope you want a ton of it.
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Originally Posted By M855Bukkake: Not vouching for the source: https://krarmory.com/military-surplus-weapons-lubricating-oil-grade-1-32-oz-liquid-with-free-needle-tip-oil-bottle-.html You could get LAW new in a fancy bright white quart container recently, think from a Castrol (or one of the other big oil names) distributor. Was like $150 a quart. I tried ordering from them a couple times yesterday, and kept getting booted out of their checkout page. I sent them an email to see if I can order that way. |
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Originally Posted By dfariswheel: A few years ago the Canadian Mounties tested gun lubes for the ability to work in really subzero temps. They found that CLP Breakfree was the best performer and that's what they adopted. Probably because it’s the current US mil-spec small arms lube and is the product of a helluva development program. It’s damn good. |
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Chasing LAW is just olive-drab worship, there are readily available options that are probably better options. I mean, LAW is specified for only under zero degrees F, that doesn't really apply to very many. Something like G96 or FP10 will work fine for -40 to +100F which would seem a lot more reasonable. I think I saw that G96 is now approved under the most recent "F" milspec for small arms CLP and tested to -60F, so dunno. If you're chasing LAW because it's 20 or even 10 degrees outside I think you're on a fools errand. If you're actually talking about arctic temps firearms design clearances and such come into play, as clearances do get smaller, especially if you have aluminum in the mix. From what I read I'm more confident in RCMP's test protocol than what was described for the US mil testing. |
This is...a clue - Pat_Rogers
I'm not adequately aluminumized for this thread. - gonzo_beyondo
CO, MI, OR - Please lobby your legislators to end discrimination against non-resident CCW permit holders
I'm not adequately aluminumized for this thread. - gonzo_beyondo
CO, MI, OR - Please lobby your legislators to end discrimination against non-resident CCW permit holders
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