Vaseline - For Guns?

pinetree · February 27, 2010, 04:14 PM

Just got back from a quail hunt in So Ga, Red Pebble Plantation - it was awesome... anyway, in my room there was a catalog for Connecticut Shotgun. In it was was a bunch of neat stuff including accessories, cases and such. The also had vaseline containers. Is or was vaseline commonly used on guns? If so for protection or like a grease for lubrication?

Just curious.

jaguarxk120 · February 27, 2010, 04:20 PM

I think the double gun owners use the stuff as lubrication on the hinge pin and forearm iron piviot points. Usually this area is regreased when the gun is assembled and wiped clean when put back into the case.

Pahoo · February 27, 2010, 04:22 PM

In this case, it would be primarily for the lubrcation properties I say this because it is very pure with no additives. That is why it is safe to use on your person. You do the math!! ....

Be Safe !!!

mete · February 27, 2010, 05:07 PM

Hinge pins have very high forces on them .There are special lubes for such application and it's better to use them .
Does your shotgun have a cold ?

BigJimP · February 27, 2010, 07:55 PM

I always use grease on the hinge pins / forened connection ...and the ears where the barrels lock into the receiver.... I've never used Vasoline / I've been using "Rig" grease for many years - its a "golden" color ....but I wipe it clean / re-do the grease after every time I shoot the gun and clean it ...I re-grease the connection before I put the gun back into the safe.

zippy13 · February 27, 2010, 08:23 PM

The factory Perazzi tech used a mixture of Vaseline and 30W non-detergent motor oil. But, that was some years ago, before they started marketing their own proprietary lube. I've got a container of lube in each gun case. At present, I think I've go going some STOS, RIG and Mobile 1 synthetic (grease). Like many other comp shooters, the pivot lube has to work for only a few hours before the gun is broken down and cleaned, I'd be okay with Vaseline.

olddrum1 · February 28, 2010, 12:43 AM

I have used all three that Z13 mentioned. I currently (last eight or so years) hsve been using Stos. I find that although I like Rig very much the Stos goes on a little easier. I give anything going into the safe a fine coating over the entire metal surface.

jaguarxk120 · February 28, 2010, 08:18 AM

Today we have many fine greases and lubes for us to use on guns. And whats out there maybe much better than what was available years ago. I think the term vaseline is a generic term for the container and not the content.

You buy the container and put your own lube in it what ever that may be.

alloy · February 28, 2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

before they started marketing their own proprietary lube.

Maybe that is the proprietary lube?
I know it's use is called for in some air cooled engine and transmission applications as an appropriate assembly lube. Mainly in needle bearings, and these are not exposed to external climate so there's that.
That's all I got.

B.L.E. · February 28, 2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

I think the term vaseline is a generic term for the container and not the content.

I always thought "Vaseline" was a registered trademark for petroleum jelly.

zippy13 · February 28, 2010, 10:48 AM

B.L.E.

Quote:

before they started marketing their own proprietary lube.

Maybe that is the proprietary lube?

Not quite, the original Perazzi lube may have been a mechanical marvel, but it was a disaster for the end user. It was jet black, and a very tenacious jet black at that. Some folks like to apply their lube with a brush, I do it digitally. After getting it into all the nooks and crannies, I wipe of the excess from the gun and my finger. I got a rude awakening when I used the Perazzi stuff for the first time, my finger stayed black. I got some of the stuff on my shirt and the laundry couldn't get out the black spot. The golf towel I shoot with was permanently stained black, too. Consequently, I gave the almost new tube (yep, tube, not jar) of the black curse to my buddy for his Perazzis -- he never forgave me.

alloy · February 28, 2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Consequently, I gave the almost new tube (yep, tube, not jar) of the black curse to my buddy for his Perazzis -- he never forgave me.

Funny

I've developed my own top secret soup with a white lithium base and various high tech oil additives(CLP, Hoppes, Rem oil, Mobil and whatever else) until I get the viscosity of warm french's mustard.

Works on everything from 1911 lugs to choke tubes like a greased string out of a cat's rear...

Pahoo · February 28, 2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

I think the term vaseline is a generic term for the container and not the content.

Not so and yes, the following is true.

Quote:

I always thought "Vaseline" was a registered trademark for petroleum jelly.

Look up the MSDS data and it pertains to the content and not the container. I also know that there are different grades of purity.

1. PRODUCT I DENTI FI CATI ON
Product Name: Vaseline, petroleum jelly
I NCI Name: Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax
Synonyms: petrolatum
CAS Number: 8009-03-8
EI NECS Number: 232-373-2
Origin: obtained from petroleum

Be Safe !!!

jaguarxk120 · February 28, 2010, 01:31 PM

I know when rebuilding automatic transmissions there are small check valves (rubber balls) in the valve body and the rebuilders use vaseline to hold them in place. The transmission fluid will dislove the vaseline, not so with other grease's.

Getting back to the original posters theme has anyone gone to Connecticut Shotgun web site? WOW a lot of really nice high end stuff there.

americanworkmule · March 7, 2010, 06:42 PM

I've heard of guys heating up a gun's metal parts in the oven while covered in Vaseline to help in rust prevention? or something

Dave McC · March 7, 2010, 07:06 PM

Vaseline was more commonly used as a protectant and lube way back. I also have seen and heard of Eastern Shore goose guides melting paraffin as an exterior protectant, especially on Expresses.

IMO, there's better stuff out now. Lately, I've used SLIP 2000 and Mobil One synthetic motor oil.

Both have merit, but the big thing is to use SOMETHING.

Often.....

February 27, 2010, 04:14 PM	#1
pinetree Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2001 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 626	Vaseline - For Guns? Just got back from a quail hunt in So Ga, Red Pebble Plantation - it was awesome... anyway, in my room there was a catalog for Connecticut Shotgun. In it was was a bunch of neat stuff including accessories, cases and such. The also had vaseline containers. Is or was vaseline commonly used on guns? If so for protection or like a grease for lubrication? Just curious.

February 28, 2010, 01:31 PM	#14
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	I know when rebuilding automatic transmissions there are small check valves (rubber balls) in the valve body and the rebuilders use vaseline to hold them in place. The transmission fluid will dislove the vaseline, not so with other grease's. Getting back to the original posters theme has anyone gone to Connecticut Shotgun web site? WOW a lot of really nice high end stuff there. Last edited by jaguarxk120; February 28, 2010 at 07:33 PM.

February 27, 2010, 04:20 PM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	I think the double gun owners use the stuff as lubrication on the hinge pin and forearm iron piviot points. Usually this area is regreased when the gun is assembled and wiped clean when put back into the case.

February 27, 2010, 04:22 PM	#3
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	In this case, it would be primarily for the lubrcation properties I say this because it is very pure with no additives. That is why it is safe to use on your person. You do the math!! .... Be Safe !!!

February 27, 2010, 05:07 PM	#4
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Hinge pins have very high forces on them .There are special lubes for such application and it's better to use them . Does your shotgun have a cold ?

February 27, 2010, 07:55 PM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I always use grease on the hinge pins / forened connection ...and the ears where the barrels lock into the receiver.... I've never used Vasoline / I've been using "Rig" grease for many years - its a "golden" color ....but I wipe it clean / re-do the grease after every time I shoot the gun and clean it ...I re-grease the connection before I put the gun back into the safe.

February 27, 2010, 08:23 PM	#6
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	The factory Perazzi tech used a mixture of Vaseline and 30W non-detergent motor oil. But, that was some years ago, before they started marketing their own proprietary lube. I've got a container of lube in each gun case. At present, I think I've go going some STOS, RIG and Mobile 1 synthetic (grease). Like many other comp shooters, the pivot lube has to work for only a few hours before the gun is broken down and cleaned, I'd be okay with Vaseline.

February 28, 2010, 12:43 AM	#7
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	I have used all three that Z13 mentioned. I currently (last eight or so years) hsve been using Stos. I find that although I like Rig very much the Stos goes on a little easier. I give anything going into the safe a fine coating over the entire metal surface.

February 28, 2010, 08:18 AM	#8
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	Today we have many fine greases and lubes for us to use on guns. And whats out there maybe much better than what was available years ago. I think the term vaseline is a generic term for the container and not the content. You buy the container and put your own lube in it what ever that may be.

March 7, 2010, 06:42 PM	#15
americanworkmule Member Join Date: April 11, 2009 Posts: 38	I've heard of guys heating up a gun's metal parts in the oven while covered in Vaseline to help in rust prevention? or something

March 7, 2010, 07:06 PM	#16
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Vaseline was more commonly used as a protectant and lube way back. I also have seen and heard of Eastern Shore goose guides melting paraffin as an exterior protectant, especially on Expresses. IMO, there's better stuff out now. Lately, I've used SLIP 2000 and Mobil One synthetic motor oil. Both have merit, but the big thing is to use SOMETHING. Often.....