1911 grease or oil?

Joe Portale · July 9, 1999, 10:37 AM

Here's an interesting one. I was at the range the other night and over heard to old timers get into a heated debat. These old fellows were really getting worked up over this, it was almost funny.

Old Timer #1: "You need to use grease on your 1911!"

Old Timer #2: "Bull! Oil works just fine."

And on, and on, and on....

Anyone have any comments or suggestions?

Joe Portale
Tucson, Arizona Territory

burrhead · July 9, 1999, 08:48 PM

I've been shooting 1911 pattern pistols for about 25 years and have always used some sort of oil or another with no problems. The last 10 years or so I've used CLP Breakfree. Every couple of hundred rounds or so I lock the slide back and just squirt a little on the barrel and slide rails. After a range session and good cleaning I oil the barrel, slide rails, link pin, locking lugs and shoot a little around the hammer pin. Never tried grease though and don't know why it wouldn't work. Bottom line is keep your gun clean and it needs just enough lube, not too much. IMHO

George Stringer · July 9, 1999, 11:00 PM

Amen, Burrhead!

Joe Portale · July 10, 1999, 10:23 AM

Hello,

Actually Burrhead, I'm in your camp. I thought I would throw this out to see what came up.

Joe Portale
Tucson, Arizona Territory

flatlander · July 10, 1999, 11:38 PM

When I was active in IPSC, I used just CLP on my 5" guns, but when I went to compensated guns with the cone instead of a barrel bushing, I started using a combination of CLP with a little moly grease on the barrel cone and bottom barrel lugs. These pistols got cleaned after every practice session, so I wasn't concerned with the grease attracting dirt or grit. I like the new NECO MolySlide grease; wish I'd had something like it several years ago.

ZFH · July 11, 1999, 06:24 AM

When I target shoot I just use oil, for Concealed Carry I use grease, since it doesn't run everywhere.

Chris

Grayfox · July 11, 1999, 11:39 AM

I use a light coat of grease on the slide rails, oil everywhere else. I don't really know if it's better, that's just my way.

Gun Plumber · July 11, 1999, 07:26 PM

I like Grease, Wilson of Tetra.

James K · July 12, 1999, 02:23 PM

Any good gun oil. Put a two drops on each frame rail, three or four into the frame ahead of the hammer. If you want, a drop or so on the recoil spring guide.

Jim

July 9, 1999, 10:37 AM	#1
Joe Portale Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 1999 Location: Tucson, Arizona Territory Posts: 715	Here's an interesting one. I was at the range the other night and over heard to old timers get into a heated debat. These old fellows were really getting worked up over this, it was almost funny. Old Timer #1: "You need to use grease on your 1911!" Old Timer #2: "Bull! Oil works just fine." And on, and on, and on.... Anyone have any comments or suggestions? Joe Portale Tucson, Arizona Territory

July 9, 1999, 08:48 PM	#2
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	I've been shooting 1911 pattern pistols for about 25 years and have always used some sort of oil or another with no problems. The last 10 years or so I've used CLP Breakfree. Every couple of hundred rounds or so I lock the slide back and just squirt a little on the barrel and slide rails. After a range session and good cleaning I oil the barrel, slide rails, link pin, locking lugs and shoot a little around the hammer pin. Never tried grease though and don't know why it wouldn't work. Bottom line is keep your gun clean and it needs just enough lube, not too much. IMHO

July 9, 1999, 11:00 PM	#3
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Amen, Burrhead!

July 10, 1999, 10:23 AM	#4
Joe Portale Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 1999 Location: Tucson, Arizona Territory Posts: 715	Hello, Actually Burrhead, I'm in your camp. I thought I would throw this out to see what came up. Joe Portale Tucson, Arizona Territory

July 10, 1999, 11:38 PM	#5
flatlander Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 1999 Posts: 120	When I was active in IPSC, I used just CLP on my 5" guns, but when I went to compensated guns with the cone instead of a barrel bushing, I started using a combination of CLP with a little moly grease on the barrel cone and bottom barrel lugs. These pistols got cleaned after every practice session, so I wasn't concerned with the grease attracting dirt or grit. I like the new NECO MolySlide grease; wish I'd had something like it several years ago.

July 11, 1999, 06:24 AM	#6
ZFH Member Join Date: April 20, 1999 Location: here, there, somewhere Posts: 25	When I target shoot I just use oil, for Concealed Carry I use grease, since it doesn't run everywhere. Chris

July 11, 1999, 11:39 AM	#7
Grayfox Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 1998 Posts: 1,885	I use a light coat of grease on the slide rails, oil everywhere else. I don't really know if it's better, that's just my way.

July 11, 1999, 07:26 PM	#8
Gun Plumber Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Posts: 44	I like Grease, Wilson of Tetra.

July 12, 1999, 02:23 PM	#9
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Any good gun oil. Put a two drops on each frame rail, three or four into the frame ahead of the hammer. If you want, a drop or so on the recoil spring guide. Jim