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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Mobil 1 question (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 4/13/2008 11:06:12 AM EDT
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How many use mobil 1 for lubing their AR and what weight do you use? I just bought some 0W-20 because its very thin and is not far from CLP in thickness. Maybe this is a bad idea, but it should work well at any temperature, even below freezing. I would love to hear some ideas on which works better and why. The quart cost about $7. Its pretty much a lifetime supply if its the right stuff. I wouldn't mind buying another version of mobil 1 if this isn't going to work well. I have so much extra oil of all kinds on hand it ain't funny. Also, does it hurt anything to mix oils on an AR? I am also planning on testing this oil in my Middy. I will clean it today, and start shooting it next week.I will be looking for how long before everything starts looking dry, as well as the reliability (which has been flawless so far). Another question: How do you guys carry your lube if it doesn't come in a handy little bottle? |
| I've been using Mobil 1 5w-20 for about 2 years now. I used to be a CLP nut, but love the performance after the switch. It stays wet through all my shooting sessions whether it is casual shooting at the range or at Practical Rifle competitions. One of the main things I noticed is that it stays slick, unlike CLP which burns away after a few hundred rounds. Mobil 1 does not however resist corrosion like the other popular Gun Oils out there, so beware. Since corrosion isn't an issue in my AO, no big deal. |
I mostly use ATF on my guns. In warmer weather I'll use any 15-W40 diesel grade oil as it has "special" properties not found in gas engine grade oils, it's why diesels go 1,000,000 before rebuilds. Also, I'll use this Mystic spray grease, JT-6, or JT-8, I forget, I'll use that on my belt feds.
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Since the AR was never built with specific amount of lube in mind, especially not amounts to be in very close-tolerance areas, it's just not going to matter if you switch grades of Mobil 1 around. It isn't going to matter if you grease certain parts, and oil others, either. What matters is that you have a oil, or lube, with a high lubricity that stays around, as AR's don't have oil pumps to keep replacing oils that gets moved. I'm using Mobil 1 5W-20 as that's what my Ford calls for. I have to agree with the last poster - I shot my Mobil 1 (and some grease) lubed AR last week, didn't have time to clean it (save for a quick bore snake) before meeting friends and shooting again this Sunday, and after two range sessions it's still good to go. Dirty, but good to go. I'm just about to head out, now, to pick up some brake cleaner from the local auto parts store (I only use it on certain parts). The grease I use is about a 1.5 as far as grease thicknesses go, and it's got one of the highest temperature ratings. I haven't seen any adverse effects, but I have seen that the grease does stay around. |
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I am really wondering if I picked the wrong one. I figured the lighter weight would not slow things down in cold weather, but I hope it doesn't blow away easier than the thicker stuff. I use 5W-30 for my truck and only change every 5000 miles. It runs like a top after 120,000 miles. I have all kinds of grease of different kinds, but I am not really interested in running them in my AR's. I run lubriplate in on my XD rails when I clean them. Out in the field they get some CLP if they get dry. |
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I have some Mobil-1 & occasionally use it to lube my AR's, even though it is not my first choice as a lube (typically use CLP). With my experiences, it seems to work just fine. Never had an issue with it and it keeps the rifle "wet" for long periods of time. I have some safe queens that I don't shoot much & they usually get the Mobil-1 treatment. |
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I actually tried some different lubes on parkerized steel. The steel was left outdoors and sprayed with salt water to accelerate rusting. Mobile 1 actually worked batter at rust prevention than I thought it would. The ATF, not so much. BSW At start:  After 21 days: 
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www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1200&title=NEEDLE%20OILER%20BOTTLES www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/catsearch.aspx?c=1186&p=4808 |
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20 wt oil is good for guns. Will lube fine, may not clean well. I prefer Pennzoil Platinum...better anti-wear than M1. Diesels last longer than gassers because they are built stronger with larger sumps. Motor oil has considerably greater acid fighting ability than does ATF since it is designed to be used in a dirty environment like an engine. Also has more Anti-wear additives. |
I use the Dewey oil bottle that they have listed in the bottom link. They sure are expensive, though. FWIW, I've found that it is a no-no to use them for Ballistol. It reacts with the brass, and turns the oil black. |
Have you ever seen the guts of a diesel engine? Have you seen the guts of a gas engine? They don't even operate on the same principal. The wrist pins are WAY thicker in a diesel, the same with the rods, and every other component. You are talking about an engine that operates under 4,000 rpm and is basically powered by detonation vs. an engine that revs up to 6-6500rpm and has a LOT lighter weight components. The oil has NOTHING to do with it except that diesels produce more soot and they need an oil with more detergent addatives to combat this. That is the only difference, more detergents. If I were going to lube my AR with motor oil, I would use the same thing I use in my WS6, a pure group IV synthetic. Castrol 0-30 imported from Germany. I still do not understand the whole "let me see if I can try something different than what the military and hundreds of hours of testing has proven right". Sure, I am a curious person and conduct tons of back-yard tests with ammo and whatnot, but at the end of the day, I put 0-30 in my crank case, 70-80 in the rear end, ATF in my T56, and CLP or Slip2000 on my weapons. Oh, and that few $ you saved buying motor oil rather than CLP, what rational did you use to justify burning through $100 of ammo to "test" the validity of your choice? ETA: Post came out a lot more conflict oriented than I intended. Basically, I just don't see the point in the Mobil 1 and other motor oils except as a back-up, and don't tell a fellow BRD sufferer that you bought a certain product for your AR because it saved you one or two $. I know ur fulla poo at that point
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I agree with your conclusion. Theres nothing wrong with having a "Backup Oil", but this backyard chemist stuff gets tiring. The military uses proven lubes, no homebrewed test is going to trump some backyard evaluation, sorry. CLP is proven. |
Un bunch your panties sweetheart! (just kidding!)I am looking at it as a back up. CLP is proven. That doesn't mean that lots of folks who know their shit don't use other stuff. I honestly just want to see how it works out. It may suck. I won't know until I try it. I will learn something in the process. If I run out of CLP when it counts, would it be better to have all the experimenting with different lubes figured out. This isn't really about saving money for me. Its about learning. If I find that mobil one or something of the sort works well, then I might save some money in the bargain. Why would you get frustrated at folks who are just searching for knowledge? I really like trying new stuff. |
for 5 bucks you have PROVEN RESULTS Why FIX IF IT AINT BROKE Ive used it for Many Many Years 20+ All my weapons run 100% Allways have allways will |
I've thought about useing Mobil 1. Then I said the heck with it. Break free is fairly cheap. A large aerosol can lasts me a good long time. If I was going through a gal. a month or so, I'd be more tempted. The price difference just isnt enough for me to take a chance on useing Mobil 1 on an unproven application such as an AR. Unproven as far as scientific proof through lab testing. If M1 trips your trigger, more power to you.
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Life without experimentation would be very boring. Why not try it? The horse and buggy had many centuries of dependable service. Good thing you guys weren't there to screech about how dumb it was to try something seeming impractical and unproven. If it works better, you guys can follow our lead later when Mobil 1 or something like it is considered the old faithful stand by lube for the venerated AR platform. How do you guys figure innovation happens? |
Using motor oil as a primary lubricant isnt innovative. its a budget method. Some person coating nails or scrap metal and spraying salt water isnt a scientific test. It just a home experiment, It proves nothing. The military spends thousands of hours and millions of dollars testing lubricants to find the best product. They constantly review these to find a more suitable product to supply our troops. Those tests are the ones to pay attention to. If Mobil 1 or whatever worked better the military would be handing it out. They arent. I dont believe some home "scientist" will prove anything or show CLP to be ineffective compared to synthetic motor oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, Tranny Fluid, or any other home concoction. Thres already a ton of "super gun oils" to choose from that offer little over CLP, yet people throw more fuel on the fire by recomending home brews. Its simply foolish. Its no attack on you but people should at least be honest and say "hey, im cheap and I choose to use motor oil", but instead they give internet advice to use products that are not recomended for firearms, and are inferior. They may be ineffective or downright dangerous to their their weapon, and/or jeopardize their safety if their defense weapon fails due to internet chemistry oil advice. I get lots of pissed off customers when I tell them to not use Transmission Fluid, Motor Oil, WD40, Miltec, Rem Oil, Grease, or their Home Brew Oil on their malfunctioning guns. They bring in a gun that dont work due to the above, I clean it, relube it with BF CLP and amazingly it works. WOrking on thousands of guns used and maintained by many unknown people shows for something. CLP works. Being cheap just gets you luck at best. |
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What, you mean there is a PROBLEM with fixing something until it's broke?  I couldn't agree more with the above, except that even my home-tests (which are just that) seem to back up the military 100% on their choice of CLP for corrosion resistance. The fact that my AR keeps on firing is a testimony to it's properties of lubricity. |
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Haha, I challenge you Sir. Please find a rifle that won't run on Mobil 1 but does on CLP. That's a hoot... eta: Being cheap? Some of you get too wrapped up around "the military does it" mindset. CLP is a jack of all trades, and a master of none. Simply a compromise the military had to make in order get a functioning cleaner/lubricant/protector in one bottle. I've used CLP at many a KD range, training school, pop-up range in my career. Does it work? Sure, but what you propose as it making weapons work where a good synthetic motor oil will not reeks of bullshit... |
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Everyone gets to make their own choices . I am in the camp that thinks the military testing and decision to go with CLP is good enough for me without some of the possible risk. I am however a cheep SOB so I refuse to buy the itty bitty bottle that works out to $15 an ounce and the aerosols that are about the same . I buy the 16 OZ bottle and refill the small plastic bottles that I get at the gunshow junk dealer. If I really cared I would search some on-line source and buy the quart or gallon of the stuff (clp). Just last week some self proclaimed self taught "expert" at my club was going on about some kind of wonder oil he had blended (which he was willing to sell to us) and how he uses nothing else on all his guns. I don't know if it was his wonder oil or his supper duper handloads but I do know I didn't have any trouble beating his ass at the local service rifle match when his M1A wouldn't function! Needless he didn't sell any oil that day. Exactly what I want in the one bottle I carry with me is an all purpose protuct that will work in a wide range of conditions . I want the crompromise that does a suitable job at cleaning,lubeing and protecting . Again I am not knocking others choices, It is just for me and my uses CLP is pretty much just what I want. |
Motor oil should not be a primary lubricant. The best scenario is using it to break in a firearm. Les Baer used to recomend using it in his tight 1911's for the first 500 rounds. He may not recomend that anymore. After that your supposed to use a gun oil. I see it almost once a month. Im a fulltime gunsmith. We fix several hundred guns a year. Peoples pride is hurt pretty bad when their AR wont run with their ammo, mag, and motor oil/and or "super oil". Ill take their mag, ammo, clean the motor oil off and apply CLP. Test fire and let them watch me. They then stop being a jerk and admit that "maybe" their motor oil or "super oil" may be the issue. Hurt feelings and hard lessons abound. I would prefer to NOT take money to teach people they are wrong but they dont listen. |
12, I didnt mean to seem like i was crappin on your test. I think most home tests do show CLP to be a good protectant, just like you found. I think we are on the same page. I just didnt explain it the way I should have. |
Quib, I have learned much from reading your threads. You give EXCELLENT advice. Thank you for the effort you give to educate the masses.
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Tell that to Steve at ADCO Firearms who's been using M1 for the last 17 or so years. He shoots more rounds on auto, suppressed than most others on this board. I eagerly await video or some type of evidence that shows Mobil1 choking where CLP doesn't. I understand that you are a gunsmith and I greatly appreciate your input. I can only relay my own personal experience and those of others I have read. Good evening. |
Finished if off for ya old man... 
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Your assumption is that I believe CLP to be broken somehow and that is not the case. I just want to try something different. If my rifle runs badly on Mobil 1, I will post it here and let everyone know that it didn't work for me. If it makes my rifle more gummy than CLP, I will post that. If it smells funny and makes my hair fall out, I will post that! CLP has never failed to work for me. If mobile 1 can give me the same level of performance, then it would be good to know that I have a back up for the stupid expensive CLP. If I get poor enough to not afford CLP or I can't get it any more, then I have a great alternative. What the hell is wrong with that? I am not killing your sacred cow and I am not trying to birth one of my own. I have one big bottle, one spray can, and three little bottles of CLP at this time so its not like I am replacing it completely. I just want to experiment a little and see what happens. I asked for advice on what weight and what results folks were getting and I got that, and then a whole lot of preaching about how dumb it is to try something new.  My 3 RRA combined have had only one stoppage in many thousands of rounds (from wolf to brass on the first round,,,,once). I will definitely be able to tell if its not working!
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Without dismissing anyone's "preferred product" ... Quite frankly, the military (read government) spends "thousands of hours and millions of dollars" on PLENTY of things, that, well ... may or may not be that great. Just because they are adept at spending a bunch of time and money doesn't necessarily equate to excellence ... IMO, often times it simply equates to "adequate ... at an acceptable price point" and leaves me underwhelmed. And FWIW, I'm not an advocate of motor oil and prefer to use gun specific products rather than "home-brews". ETA: QUIB's M&C posts rule ... 
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Winn, you certainly have a point about wasted govt spending, but its the best info we have unless we read gun mag ads (biased), gun oil companys sales info (miracle oil), or internet testers (uncertain). Unless some unbaised private scientific test is performed the best be have is military testing for now. You do have a great point though. |
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Couldn’t agree more.
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0612Devil, You'll not see any such video. What those, who claim they would never run M1 (or any synthetic motor oil) in their gun, do not realize is that BreakFree uses PAO basestock/esters as ~91.5% of the composition of their CLP with a solvent (~5%) an EP/AW additive (~1.3%) and preservative (~2%) added. That's it. Nothing more. It is just PAO (motor oil) basestock with an added EP/AW additive, solvent and preservative. BreakFree CLP is nothing more than the PAO basestock that composes the product line of M1 motorcycle oils (20w50 VTWIN and 10w40 MX4T) with additives that are not necessary (solvent) to have on your gun at all times in order for it to operate correctly. Don't believe it? Take a look at the Break-Free CLP MSDS link provided below. It confirms what I have said above: hazard.com/msds/f2/bsy/bsylt.html I am not saying that BreakFree CLP is not a good product, however those that think that it is entirely unrelated to M1 Synthetic (PAO) motor oils (or Amsoil, Redline, etc.) are fooling only themselves if they continue to believe so, since it has more than 90% of it's composition in common with synthetic motor oils. While I happen to like BreakFree CLP and LP quite a bit, I also realize that there is absolutely nothing "special" about it and refuse to buy into any "hype" relating to it's usage or properties and Gov't. testing aside, I just cannot buy into the "group-think" that BF CLP is some sort of a "miracle oil". TK |
Nice find with the older MSDS. Back when they actually listed things... The ANTIMONY DIALKYLDITHIOCARBAMATE is interesting. Never seen that on the newer MSDS' as they have "and other ingredients" listed. They probably still use it and it is good to see that they have some AW/EP in the mix. This is a common ingredient in greases. I'll have to ask my lube engineer contact and see how this stacks up against ZDDP and other AW found in motor oil. Also used as a preservative and may be part of their inhibitor package. |
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T/45, Thanks. The "other ingredients" may well be other compounds that are being withheld as protected proprietary material data and whatever else they wish to retain as a proprietary secret. I do not see a CAS# under that Ingredient Name so it is hard to tell what it is. I thought, perhaps incorrectly, that Break Free used some form of Teflon in it's CLP formulation and if they do then that might also explain the "other ingredients". Looking forward to hearing what your L/E friend has to say about the ADDC additive and what it brings to the formulation of BF CLP. TK
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I've actually wondered about the same thing myself ... Why the specific popularity of Mobile 1 over pretty much every / any other motor oil with respect to "firearms applications" ? |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Mobil 1 question (Page 1 of 2)
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