When it comes to lubes for guns, everyone has their favorite. Here recently, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with certain lubes for my rifles and pistols. I honestly was in love with Frog Lube. I mean what’s not to like – smells good so I can clean the guns in the house, it cleans and lubes at the same time, and it is fairly inexpensive. But recently, it let me down.
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″]I purchased a CZ P01 a few years ago, took it to the range, and then cleaned it with Frog Lube and then put it up. In the past, I’ve used it on all the rifles, shotguns, and pistols at the house and it worked perfectly, until I went to take the CZ out of the safe and take it to range. I noticed that I could hardly rack the slide back. So what happened? It appeared that the lube got “hard” and it wouldn’t rack the slide back. I’m not sure if it’s because of the design of the CZ, or what. I haven’t had any of the same problems with my Sig Sauer, Glock, M&P Shield, or my M&P Full-Size.[/column]
[column size=”1/2″][/column]
[/columns]
So it was time for a new lubricant. So I went to searching for a lube that will work for all rifles, shotguns, and pistols. I know there is quite a lot of difference lubricants and protectants out there, but I wanted to find some that is commonly available and that are a major contender in the market.
Rand CLP
According to Rand CLP website, “non-toxic, eco-friendly, and contain no petroleum distillates or chlorinated paraffin’s, and have been tested extensively with experts – military, police, hunters, recreational and competitive shooters; as well as in laboratory testing, where we have one of the lowest coefficient of friction and the highest flashpoint of any product on the market today.” Rand also offers Bore Cleaners, Lubricants, and a Heavy Applications Weapons Grease (H.A.W.G.). Rand CLP has a flashpoint of 607 Degrees F. We reviewed this product back in 2014. You can see the results from the clean-up on an AR. But we’re going to test it out again to see how it works out on something other than an AR. Rand CLP comes in 0.6oz, 2oz, and 4oz, ranging from $3.50-$14.99.
[divider size=”full”]
Gunslick Ultra-Lube Oil
According to Gunslick’s website, “in the gun care industry, Gunslick® Pro has earned a sterling reputation for providing premium gun care products for the active shooter.” Gunslick offers a full line of bore cleaners, lubricants, rust protectants, and cleaning kits. Gunslick Ultra-Lube Oil comes in 2.25oz, 4oz Pump, and 5oz Aerosol. Prices range from $5.95-$10.49. My local gun shop uses Gunslick in their shop on customers gun cleanings. So I’m really excited to see how it works out.
[divider size=”full”]
Hoppe’s 9 Elite Gun Oil
According to Hoppe’s website, “Our cleaners and lubricants are formulated with distinctive ingredients and tested to perform under extremes of weather and temperature. For over 100 years, Hoppe’s has earned the reputation as ‘The Gun Care People’.” I can remember my grandfather using Hoppe’s 9 to clean his guns when I was a kid, and I’m not going to lie, I’ve used the Elite Gun Oil in the past. The Elite Gun Oil, “uses a thin coat technology, spreading gun oil evenly in a micro-fine layer. This provides superior lubrication and corrosion protection. Traditional oils tend to puddle, not fully coating or protecting the firearm, leaving it vulnerable to rust and potential malfunction.” Due to this oil being thin, I actually stopped using it. I’m willing to give it a second chance. Hoppe’s 9 Elite Gun Oil comes in 4oz Squeeze Bottle and 4oz Spray Bottle. Prices range from $10-$15.
[divider size=”full”]
Lucas Extreme Gun Lube
Lucas Extreme Gun Lube has been issued with Sig Sauer Products over the last few years. When I purchased my Sig Sauer P320, in the manual it recommended using Lucas Gun Lube. Was it just a gimmick and Lucas wanted to partner with Sig Sauer to generate more revenue, or is there some truth in this product? According to Lucas’ website, ” (Lucas Gun Lube) prevents jamming and overheating, resists evaporation and penetrates rust freeing stuck parts and actions. Polymeric film protects from rust, wear, and moisture and makes copper, lead and wad fouling much easier to clean. It neutralizes acids from fingerprints and resists drying for long term storage use.” I did use the Lucas Gun Lube on my Sig Sauer, like the manual suggested, for a little bit. If you notice “Used” Sigs in your area gun shops, you’ll notice the top of the barrel is pretty much “chrome” due to the slide riding it. I have learned that Sig’s love lube. Lucas Gun Lube comes in 2oz priced around $6 and the Lucas Extreme Gun Lube comes in a 1oz bottle for around the same price.
[divider size=”full”]
Safariland Break-Free CLP
There has been numerous YouTube Gun Reviewers that swear by Safariland Break-Free CLP. Well, I guess it’s finally time that we take a look at this lubricant. According to Safariland’s website, “CLP is more than a superior lubricant, CLP actually cleans firing residue and other contaminates from the bore, moving parts and exterior of firearms while simultaneously reducing friction and protecting from corrosion. CLP penetrates and spreads along metal surfaces into every pit and crevice to undercut contamination and lift residue away where it can be removed. It has been proven to preform in temperatures ranging from -65F to +475F and after saltwater immersion.” Break-Free CLP comes in spray, areosol, and squeeze bottle. Sizes range from 0.50oz, 0.68oz, 2oz, 4oz, 12oz and goes all the way to a gallon. Prices range from $4-$88. I’ve been wanting to try this lubricant out for sometime, just didn’t have any reasons to try it since I was using Frog Lube, but now…we’re going to try it!
[divider size=”full”]
After testing out these lubes out on different handguns, rifles, and shotguns to see which lube works best, we have decided that the Lucas Gun Lube and Safariland Break-Free CLP work the best. Although we are not scientists, but we are avid shooters. We decided to test each lubricant out using the same method. We stripped each weapon down using Gun Scrubber and then applied the lube in all common areas of wear and utilized manufacturers recommendations on where to place lubricant. After shooting each weapon on very hot and humid days. We then came home and placed each weapon back in the safe. After one month, we revisited each weapon and inspected them to see how the lube held up. We looked for overall function of each weapon, were the actions smooth or gritty. Were there any noticeable wear marks. We then field stripped each weapon and wiped them down to see how much carbon build up was still on the weapon after letting it sit for one month. Again, although this is scientific research, we did notice that when we wiped down weapons with Lucas Gun Lube and Safariland Break-Free CLP, that majority of the carbon came right off compared to the other brands.
List of Lubricants from Best to Worst:
- Lucas Gun Lube
- Safariland Break-Free CLP
- Rand CLP
- Gunslick Ultra-Lube Oil
- Hoppe’s 9 Elite Gun Oil
We feel that the Lucas Gun Lube and Safariland Break-Free CLP would be an excellent choice for new shooters to choose when cleaning and protecting their firearms. Again, these are just our findings and yours may differ from ours. Again, we are just avid shooters and like our weapons cleaned, lubed, and ready to rock and roll in a moments notice.
Don’t see the lube you use? Comment down below and let us know which one you use.
As always, ya’ll be good and be safe!
