recomended lube for sks

spearman · October 23, 2012, 05:43 PM

Just got a Yugo SKS.I'll be cleaning off the cosmoline this weekend and was wondering if there is a prefered lubricant for an old rifle like this.

Technosavant · October 23, 2012, 05:53 PM

Heh, that thing is only going to be happy it's GETTING lube, let alone being picky about the type. The SKS is not a finicky design- just use whatever you use on anything else.

Hansam · October 23, 2012, 06:13 PM

In an SKS and other older Russian variant combat rifles you could use virtually any type of lube you want so long as it doesn't evaporate and isn't corrosive.

That means everything from machine grease to motor oil to gun oil to expensive synthetics.

Personally I lube all my guns with Militec-1 oil and grease. I've been told there's better lubes out there but for the price I haven't found anything that's a better value. My guns are often exposed to all sorts of weather conditions from downpours to blizzard/white-outs. I shoot in all types of weather and haven't had issues with rust (and I'm not exactly diligent about cleaning either) so I can't justify spending more money on "better" lubes when this one works so well.

Amsdorf · October 23, 2012, 06:18 PM

I hear they run best on borsch with sour cream.

chadio · October 23, 2012, 06:49 PM

Picked up a Norinco Paratrooper a few months ago, unfired.

In my quest to find a reasonable lube for an SKS, the moly grease seems to be a favorite among owners. Something about the metallurgy and the moly just works well. No need for some exotic snake oil.

In my garage, I had a tube of Chevron Moly Grease EP, 3% molybdenum disulfide. After cleaning everything, used a light coat of the moly grease on the sliding surfaces of the bolt and bolt carrier. Assembled, worked the bolt a few times, removed bolt / carrier to observe the smear patterns of the grease. Helped me determine which surfaces need the grease and those that don't. Then, reapplied a bit more.... and now the bolt on my SKS feels like buttered love.

FrankenMauser · October 23, 2012, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Just got a Yugo SKS.I'll be cleaning off the cosmoline this weekend and was wondering if there is a prefered lubricant for an old rifle like this.

I "lubed" my Russian SKS with dirt, a few times. It opened up the tolerances and smoothed things out a bit.

But...
The preferred lubricant, in my gun room, was FP-10.
Be sure not to put ANY kind of lubricant in the gas tube or on the gas piston. It will just get baked on and cause you all kinds of headaches, while trying to clean it off. The previous owner of my Russian SKS thought you had to lube the piston and tube.

For some reason, I had a bad habit of forgetting to lube the SKS at all, though. I can't tell you how many times I ran it dry for 1,000+ rounds, because I forgot to lube it. (And I didn't bother doing anything to that rifle, unless it was "deep clean" time.) It ran just as well, dry, as when "properly" lubed.

chris in va · October 23, 2012, 10:47 PM

Axle grease?

scottd913 · October 24, 2012, 02:20 PM

[QUOTE][I hear they run best on borsch with sour cream. /QUOTE]

laughing my aurs off...then i think humm, your right

loose_holster_dan · October 24, 2012, 03:46 PM

bull semen

Stressfire · October 24, 2012, 06:08 PM

Quote:

bull semen

I hope you have someone else collect it for you....

Used motor oil would probably be fine, if a bit smokey

But, really, there's so much "slop" in the action that any gun lube would work just fine

jhenry · October 24, 2012, 06:42 PM

I would bet the Bull Semen remark is referring to the old weapons lube. You can imagine what it looks like. We used to call it "Elephant C-m" Great stuff to keep those finicky 60's going. We always called it that. I think probably the only time ever I heard it called by it's proper name was basic.

I generally use Break Free on everything now, although Mobil 1 is on my list when this bottle is gone.

okiewita40 · October 25, 2012, 01:31 AM

On my sks i mostly use remoil. I have used transmission fluid before also. As has been said almosy any lube is good. I like to use breakfree CLP when I can also.

loose_holster_dan · October 25, 2012, 07:56 AM

Quote:

I would bet the Bull Semen remark is referring to the old weapons lube. You can imagine what it looks like.

actually i was just being a smart a**.

moxie · October 25, 2012, 10:05 AM

That old stuff being referred to was LSA.

Mrgunsngear · October 25, 2012, 12:06 PM

CLP or synthetic motor oil.

gunmoney · October 25, 2012, 12:18 PM

KY or vaseline always work...wait...wrong forum...never-mind.

Seriously though, it is an SKS, use whatever you like.

iraiam · October 25, 2012, 05:55 PM

I use the black molybdenum disulfide wheel bearing grease, I have an SKS also that is one of my backup weapons, I use the moly grease because it is quite sticky and tends to stay where you put it for extended periods of time, it's also a very good lubricant with high temperature and pressure properties.

okiewita40 · October 26, 2012, 03:26 AM

I would stay away from grease of any type in a firearm. I had to re-armor all the handguns at my dept. due to the preceding armorer using white teflon grease on them. It locked them up so bad at room temp. That the firing pins would not work.

So stick with the oil of your choice but please do not try and use grease.

iraiam · October 26, 2012, 11:21 AM

Quote:

I would stay away from grease of any type in a firearm. I had to re-armor all the handguns at my dept. due to the preceding armorer using white teflon grease on them. It locked them up so bad at room temp. That the firing pins would not work.

I do not use grease on a firing pin, but have used the same grease everywhere else on all my semiautomatics for 20+ years.

I bought a new bolt action rifle once, it would not fire when the weather was very cold, the firing pin and spring was packed with grease, when it got very cold it got quite hard, I could pull the trigger and watch the pin slowly move forward.

tobnpr · October 26, 2012, 12:39 PM

Generally you want to use gun grease on heavy moving parts like slides...

I use gun oil on triggers and smaller moving parts that need the light viscosity so as not to interfere with operation, and natch to prevent corrosion; although lately I've been using RemOil in the spray can as it's much easier and more convenient.

stubbicatt · October 28, 2012, 09:10 AM

I use Lubriplate or Platiplate grease. If it slides, grease it, if it rolls, oil it.

Only put grease on the camming surface and the slots cut in the bolt carrier. Else a gentle wipe down with CLP.

chadio · October 29, 2012, 12:31 PM

Silly me - I should have been using soup and soil

Pacman · November 7, 2012, 08:08 PM

Mobil 1 10-30w synthetic motor oil on the areas of the bolt that rub on the receiver.

johnwilliamson062 · November 7, 2012, 10:27 PM

I use grease. Whatever grease. The GI imitation stuff I use on my garand also.

October 23, 2012, 05:43 PM	#1
spearman Member Join Date: March 17, 2010 Posts: 47	recomended lube for sks Just got a Yugo SKS.I'll be cleaning off the cosmoline this weekend and was wondering if there is a prefered lubricant for an old rifle like this.

October 23, 2012, 06:13 PM	#3
Hansam Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 763	In an SKS and other older Russian variant combat rifles you could use virtually any type of lube you want so long as it doesn't evaporate and isn't corrosive. That means everything from machine grease to motor oil to gun oil to expensive synthetics. Personally I lube all my guns with Militec-1 oil and grease. I've been told there's better lubes out there but for the price I haven't found anything that's a better value. My guns are often exposed to all sorts of weather conditions from downpours to blizzard/white-outs. I shoot in all types of weather and haven't had issues with rust (and I'm not exactly diligent about cleaning either) so I can't justify spending more money on "better" lubes when this one works so well. __________________ This is who we are, what we do.

October 23, 2012, 06:49 PM	#5
chadio Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2011 Posts: 931	Moly grease... Picked up a Norinco Paratrooper a few months ago, unfired. In my quest to find a reasonable lube for an SKS, the moly grease seems to be a favorite among owners. Something about the metallurgy and the moly just works well. No need for some exotic snake oil. In my garage, I had a tube of Chevron Moly Grease EP, 3% molybdenum disulfide. After cleaning everything, used a light coat of the moly grease on the sliding surfaces of the bolt and bolt carrier. Assembled, worked the bolt a few times, removed bolt / carrier to observe the smear patterns of the grease. Helped me determine which surfaces need the grease and those that don't. Then, reapplied a bit more.... and now the bolt on my SKS feels like buttered love. __________________ Ex - Navy, Persian Gulf Veteran. Loved shooting the M14, 1911, M60, M2

October 24, 2012, 03:46 PM	#9
loose_holster_dan Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2011 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 2,461	bull semen __________________ Favorite range gun for the money - CZ 75B or STI Spartan V 9mm Go-to carry setup - Walther PPS or PPQ in FIST kydex holster 1AK Favorite semi-auto design - HK P7 "A Sig is like a lightsaber - not as clumsy or random as a Glock."

October 24, 2012, 06:42 PM	#11
jhenry Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Location: Ozarks Posts: 1,840	I would bet the Bull Semen remark is referring to the old weapons lube. You can imagine what it looks like. We used to call it "Elephant C-m" Great stuff to keep those finicky 60's going. We always called it that. I think probably the only time ever I heard it called by it's proper name was basic. I generally use Break Free on everything now, although Mobil 1 is on my list when this bottle is gone. __________________ "A Liberal is someone who doesn't care what you do, as long as it's mandatory". - Charles Krauthammer

October 23, 2012, 05:53 PM	#2
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	Heh, that thing is only going to be happy it's GETTING lube, let alone being picky about the type. The SKS is not a finicky design- just use whatever you use on anything else.

October 23, 2012, 06:18 PM	#4
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	I hear they run best on borsch with sour cream.

October 23, 2012, 10:47 PM	#7
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Axle grease?

October 24, 2012, 02:20 PM	#8
scottd913 Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2012 Location: Texas ... north of houston, east of el paso Posts: 214	[QUOTE][I hear they run best on borsch with sour cream. /QUOTE] laughing my aurs off...then i think humm, your right

October 25, 2012, 01:31 AM	#12
okiewita40 Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 409	On my sks i mostly use remoil. I have used transmission fluid before also. As has been said almosy any lube is good. I like to use breakfree CLP when I can also. __________________ What on god's green earth do you think your doing?

October 25, 2012, 10:05 AM	#14
moxie Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: TX Posts: 513	That old stuff being referred to was LSA. __________________ If you want to shoot...shoot...don't talk! Tuco USAF Munitions 1969-1992 RVN 1972-1973

October 25, 2012, 12:06 PM	#15
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	CLP or synthetic motor oil. __________________ Mrgunsngear Youtube Channel

October 25, 2012, 12:18 PM	#16
gunmoney Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2005 Posts: 381	KY or vaseline always work...wait...wrong forum...never-mind. Seriously though, it is an SKS, use whatever you like.

October 25, 2012, 05:55 PM	#17
iraiam Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 1,057	I use the black molybdenum disulfide wheel bearing grease, I have an SKS also that is one of my backup weapons, I use the moly grease because it is quite sticky and tends to stay where you put it for extended periods of time, it's also a very good lubricant with high temperature and pressure properties. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason

October 26, 2012, 03:26 AM	#18
okiewita40 Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 409	I would stay away from grease of any type in a firearm. I had to re-armor all the handguns at my dept. due to the preceding armorer using white teflon grease on them. It locked them up so bad at room temp. That the firing pins would not work. So stick with the oil of your choice but please do not try and use grease. __________________ What on god's green earth do you think your doing?

October 26, 2012, 12:39 PM	#20
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	Generally you want to use gun grease on heavy moving parts like slides... I use gun oil on triggers and smaller moving parts that need the light viscosity so as not to interfere with operation, and natch to prevent corrosion; although lately I've been using RemOil in the spray can as it's much easier and more convenient.

October 28, 2012, 09:10 AM	#21
stubbicatt Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Posts: 1,707	I use Lubriplate or Platiplate grease. If it slides, grease it, if it rolls, oil it. Only put grease on the camming surface and the slots cut in the bolt carrier. Else a gentle wipe down with CLP.

October 29, 2012, 12:31 PM	#22
chadio Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2011 Posts: 931	Silly me - I should have been using soup and soil __________________ Ex - Navy, Persian Gulf Veteran. Loved shooting the M14, 1911, M60, M2

November 7, 2012, 08:08 PM	#23
Pacman Member Join Date: March 12, 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 53	Mobil 1 10-30w synthetic motor oil on the areas of the bolt that rub on the receiver.

November 7, 2012, 10:27 PM	#24
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	I use grease. Whatever grease. The GI imitation stuff I use on my garand also.