What cleaner/lube to use for new AR

[1Shot]

I forgot to mention in my other post about WD40. I have a friend that has been a gunsmith for 40+ years. He loves for people to use WD40 on their guns especially semi autos. It has made him lots of money. When the wetness of it dries up it leaves a hard wax that will gum up and stop things from working properly. It may be fit for a squeaking door hinge but it will NEVER be used as a lube on one of my firearms. The only time I have ever used it on a firearm was when I got caught out in a frog strangling rain storm turkey hunting. I striped my Rem. 1100 down and sprayed to displace any water (WD40 stands for water displacement try number 40) that was still present after wiping out. Then I properly lubed everything up with gun oil. WD40 also works pretty good as a starter fluid sprayed into the carburetor of small gas engines. Was out fishing in my John boat and had a problem with the fuel system. I had a can of WD40 I was using for another purpose in the boat. I got it out sprayed it into the carburetor and pulled the rope and it fired up and I kept giving it a shot to keep it running put it into gear and kept spraying it until I got to the shore before the can ran out. Beat trying to row into the wind to get to shore. Redneck ingenuity.

[Klem]

I have been using WD40 for years to clean guns. A good spray and then stand it upright on a paper towel so gravity helps get rid of it. then wipe it dry with more paper towels. It strips out all the soot and carbon especially when using suppressors. Once dry with paper towels I lube moving parts with Sweets gun oil (it contains wax to keep the oil on surfaces for longer). I don't clean barrels as much as I used to but when that happens I use Butch's bore shine to start and WD40 to clear it all out. If it's going into storage I use oil instead of WD40.

I understand WD40 leaves a varnish when it dries but it's never damaged any of my guns. So to be clear, WD40 for cleaning and rust prevention only. Oil for lubrication.

I've also used Remington oil in the spray can but found it dries out too quickly.

[Naka16]

I like the Qmaxx black to clean and lube. It is on the more expensive end though. Rem oil also works great.

[LR1955]

I finished assembling my very first AR today but it is bone dry. I've watched several youtube videos on what to lube on a new rifle but my question is not what to lube but what lube to use. In Google searches I've read everything from Frog Lube to transmission oil to Mobil 1 oil to ...

I don't really have an area in the garage to clean as the space is taken up with the wife's car and my brewing equipment so something that I could use at a table off the kitchen or at worst on our covered patio that doesn't smell like a chemical factory or that I have to worry about if I get some on me I'll grow a 6th digit on my hand. On my CW I use frog lube and after 1000 rounds or so it's fine but it's always on my body under a shirt and will not be subjected to as much weather and elements.

Any suggestions for cleaner & lube products for my new rifle?

RDE:

Hoppes # 9 Plus or similar product.

For lube or cleaning and lube -- CLP or similar product.

I do most of my cleaning and lubing with CLP.

Wear some throw away gloves if you are scared about getting some on your skin.

You can also run a search because this topic comes up at least twice a year. There are other products guys like but most are similar to the two I mentioned.

LR55

[AZHTfreak]

CLP to clean, then Slip2000 EWL on the bolt and Slip2000 EWG on the carrier's bearing surfaces. I have found that the EWG lasts forever, stays in place instead of oil all over the upper receiver, and it doesn't seem to attract a bunch 'O crap. A patch of EWL down the bore to finish...

[-Justin-]

I like PTFE dry lube for the upper, lower, buffer and magazines. Mobil 1 0W-20 for the BCG.

[LR1955]

CLP to clean, then Slip2000 EWL on the bolt and Slip2000 EWG on the carrier's bearing surfaces. I have found that the EWG lasts forever, stays in place instead of oil all over the upper receiver, and it doesn't seem to attract a bunch 'O crap. A patch of EWL down the bore to finish...

AZHF:

Hmmmmm. Didn't you say that already in this thread? He, he.

LR55

[Popeye212]

Unicorn Tears by Umbrella Corp. After that's gone Mobil One. For cleaning Hoppes, Gun Scrubber, for copper fouling a special blend similar to Sweets. A local LGS orders it in bulk and sells it in small bottle.

[AZHTfreak]

AZHF:

Hmmmmm. Didn't you say that already in this thread? He, he.

LR55

Jeez, thought this looked familiar. Early onset Alzheimer's, ha. What was it I had for dinner last night? Doh...

[aephilli822]

Ed's Red, anyone?

[A5BLASTER]

Wd40 to clean out any built up gunk then good old 3n1 oil to lube everything.

[sundog]

Ed's Red, anyone?

Ed's Red is a great and inexpensive if you mix it yourself. Add a fifth part of pharmaceutical ammonia and you have a good bore cleaner. Wipe-out is a fantastic copper reducer - and quick, too. I use Mobile synthetic for lube (since I ran out of CLP). One quart lasts forever.

If I'm in a hurry to clean the BCG, I spray with break cleaner and relube with Mobile synthetic.

[bj139]

What is the smell like of Ed's Red?

[NugginFutz]

What is the smell like of Ed's Red?

I suspect it smells like a used litter box, once the ammonia is added.

[bj139]

I suspect it smells like a used litter box, once the ammonia is added.

LOL. Thanks. You made my day. Still laughing.
I meant without the ammonia.

[Tacoma21]

In summer I use zero weight mobil one out of a mosin nagant oiler. Just a drop or two in the carrier gas ports and cycled a few times.

In winter, I switch to CLP due to subfreezing conditions.

[Gusmeister]

How in the world did I miss jumping into a lube/cleaner thread? Not much to add beyond personal experience. Stay away from Frog Lube. Stay away from WD-40 unless using it like Klem says. I have been told it does not gel & harden on its own but does it when reacting to oils already on the gun. In any case, it can really mess a gun up. Among the training/hunting group I hang around there is more SLIP 2000 than anything else. Some Rem Oil. Some Mobil 1. Some Breakfree. While I was a Breakfree guy for decades, my son got me into Ballistol. Once I got around the smell it has become my far and away favorite. In the world of AR's I think the key is more of what not to use rather than the other way around.

[NightStalker]

Frog Lobe, I run it with all my guns and no issues. I started using it it while still in the Army and never had an issue. Carbon just wipe out.

The trick is get the rifle cleans and degreased

[NeilVT79]

The guys at my lgs turned me onto Breakthrough Battleborn products. I now only use their solvent, the high purity oil and the HP-pro oil on all my guns. The solvent really cleans caked on carbon pretty frigin good and also puts a nice shine on my rifling. So far ive used the hp-oil in -20* weather that we get regularly in the winter and works great! Thats my 2cents.

[Bobke]

ALG Go Juice and Very Thin Grease have been best I’ve used to date, though have no issues with Slip 2000 EWL, and have used Fire Clean, but it is very expensive per fluid ounce.