[Nomadic Paladin]

i use 4-in-one oil because a master machinist told me it was better than to the old style 3 in 1...

see, i can do it too...

now let's argue over the color of plastic grips....
.

Pink would be the best color. It would discourage a significant portion of humanity from stealing it.

 

[jj63]

3 in 1 oil, used to be a can in every household. Synthetic Mobile one when oiling, Red Tacky Grease when greasing. Everyone uses what works for them. Ummmm, forgot one, also Otis Dry Lube.

 

[Amateroy321]

Had a machinist tell me 3 and 1 oil is best oil for firearms. He said it was superior to other oils because it wont evaporate as quickly. I dont know him and not sure if this is good advice. What do you folks think?

very is awkward because I haven’t used that before!

 

[javbike88]

I don’t really use it but I do always have a can around

 

[CMiller]

Had a machinist tell me 3 and 1 oil is best oil for firearms. He said it was superior to other oils because it wont evaporate as quickly. I dont know him and not sure if this is good advice. What do you folks think?

I think about any pure oil is ok , I like Kroil a lot too. But cost wise a oil can with synthetic oil is hard to beat

 

[Joegranny]

Have some 3 in 1 oil use it on paper to lube the paper shredder. Use gun oil for guns.

 

[FastEddie]

For many many years I used for drilling and taping holes in industrial control panels, it works great.
Not sure I'd use it on a firearm but that's just me.

 

[nhw762]

Back when I was 9 or 10 (will be 73 soon)I used 3 in 1 oil on my single shot Revelation 22lr bolt action rifle. The rifle stayed at my grandparents farm which I visited as soon as school was out in the summer until it was time to return in the fall. I noticed back then that 3 in 1 oil would get gummy and sticky during my absence. It was also tough to clean off once it got sticky. There were not many choices back in the early 1960s. It is now late 2024, try Ballistol, Breakfree CLP, RemOil or Lucas Gun Oil. All are way better than 3 in 1 oil.

 

[TENNGRIZZ]

I use it , ATF , Lithium Grease , Froglube All work fine.

 

[Colt Carson]

In my mind, the best oil for my gun is a quality gun oil. When I consider the money I spend on a firearm and also ammunition for just one trip to my Club's range (membership costs money too), the cost for gun oil becomes insignificant to me.

 

[rmichael63]

My father always used 3 in 1 oil with no issues. He always did say not to let the oil soak into your stock, not sure if that was all oil or just 3 in 1 ...

 

[Donn]

To each his own. If they're all you have, 3 in 1 and WD-40 are better than nothing. Both are readily available and won't break the bank. Personally, I've used Birchwood-Casey Rig grease and RemOil for 50+ years, along with RemOil wipes more recently. I've got no complaints.

 

[laknox]

I remember, decades ago, when all the rage was "Ed's Red" for cleaning bores, mostly, but general heavy duty cleaning. Anyone remember that? I =may= still have the recipe for it around...somewhere.

Lyle

 

[Warren22]

Had a machinist tell me 3 and 1 oil is best oil for firearms. He said it was superior to other oils because it wont evaporate as quickly. I dont know him and not sure if this is good advice. What do you folks think?

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I remember, decades ago, when all the rage was "Ed's Red" for cleaning bores, mostly, but general heavy duty cleaning. Anyone remember that? I =may= still have the recipe for it around...somewhere.

Lyle

I do. All the Internet econ geniuses: "Hey, I can make a gallon of it cheap!" Yawn...

 

[Unkl Chuck]

I've used 3 in 1 oil, probably still have a can or 2 sitting on a shelf. Now, I use 0w20 synthetic for a gp light oil; full synthetic ATF for a more specific application light oil, Ballistisol for general gun cleaning and lube and a synthetic grease where grease is called for. Frog Lube on the antiques that seldom get used. Hoppes for the bore. WD-40 and various CRC's for de-grimeing filthy tools or guns, then to better lubes for whatever is needed. I was a bit of an oil snob when I was servicing my own vehicles and only used premium lubes. Since I've gotten old, I let the dealer do that. However I still have several leftover quarts of various lubes on the shelf, enough to last longer than I'll need them.

 

[cycho]

My step father swore by Marble oil. I could never find the stuff. Years later I realized it was Marvel Oil!

 

[M_Hough]

I agree in part...in your opinion, where does 3 in 1 oil lie in that? Inasmuch as it's a rust preventative and a lubricant.

3 in 1 is a household lube product... Good stuff for
bicycle chains, workbench tools, squeaky hinges, that sort of thing.

I like to use a dedicated gun oil on my guns. I don't mind buying it because
I value my guns. I grew up using 3 in 1 oil around the house and I'm sure I still
have a can in my toolbox. It says on the can to use it sparingly and I always do.

For guns I used Hoppes gun oil for decades, and sometimes alternated it
with Birchwood Casey Sheath. As above, a little goes a long way. I would
usually wipe a rifle or pistol down using a cleaning patch that had some Gun
Oil dropped into it. A very thin coating of this product would prevent rust
without attracting dirt. Hard to beat.

 

[DarryH]

Being a fudd and contrarian I freely admit to using 3 in 1 oil on my firearms for over 50 years and have never found a reason the switch. Now for my one caveat, I never use any oils on my firing pins. For that I have always used graphite powder. I also use 3in1 on door hinges and locks. It is a great lubricant.

Be careful. Graphite Powder becomes abrasive when combined with friction. We used to use graphite on the Scout's Pinewood Derby cars. The graphite would cause the wheels to turn slower with every pass down the track. We switched to Lucas Oil, which does not run, and stays are lubes where it is put.

 

[Bill in VA]

Generally speaking, I believe applicators are more important than hyped magic oils. Get the right amount of oil where it's needed.

View attachment 247900

Absolutely! When I lube (not clean and lube) a bicycle chain I use one of those oil needle applicators and lube only the areas in contact between the plates and links of the chain. I never oil the outside as it collects road dust. No mess, and long lasting chains. I use them on my firearms also.

As this is a gun forum aned not a bicycle forum, I will let folks know that lubrication discussions on firearms forums are child's play compared to the bicycle forums. With bicycles, they can get up to 20 pages in one night before the Mods have to lock the thread. It gets even worse and really circles the drain if it includes chain waxing...