[Galileo]

Before aerosol cans of special lubricants and all the cool tricks we have, what was used to clean and lubricate the guns, specifically 1911s, of those on the battle fields of the past. What would we do if we had to revert to old times?

Regards,
Galileo

 

[Jim V]

I've seen photographs of soldiers in the field using machine gun oil to lube their 1911's.

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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
MOLON LABE
Leonidas c 480 BC
FFF

 

[Galileo]

Hi Jim,
Okay, suppose I was roughing it, or having a great time up in the mountains, as you know I like to do, and I no longer, for whatever reason, have the good stuff. Is there a tube lubricant that may last years that would do the trick? Perhaps a synthetic that is in the form of a toothpaste type container that lasts and lasts?

Thanks-
Gali

 

[Jim V]

I have several "tubs' of Lubriplate that had been issued to the military to lube M1 Garands. They are about as big around as a nickle. It would work on the rails of a 1911. There are seveal automotive greases that come in "toothpaste" type tubes. One of them would last a long time. I would think that liquid graphite lock ease would work in a pinch. Once the carrier evaporated the graphite would lube the rails etc. A poor man's DRY SLIDE.

------------------
Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
MOLON LABE
Leonidas c 480 BC
FFF

 

[Havoc]

Bear grease

lotsa bears around here,,, dunk yer 1911 in the stream (or just go swimming) then smear a buncha bear fat on it!!!

Some old jokes bear repeating!

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Rust never sleeps

[This message has been edited by Havoc (edited 09-18-2001).]

 

[pistolwrench]

I've seen my 45 awful dry and dirty after some long hikes involving swims across rivers.
I've fired my 45 underwater numerous times and buried it in the sand to prove a point.
Two rather primitive sources of lube have been motor oil from the dipstick of a vehicle and, once again to prove a point, bacon grease!
While I don't advocate intentional abuse of a 1911, neither do I see the need for use of one of the New Wonderlubes.
Indeed I have seen commanders that were 100% reliable with standard gun oil, repeatedly malfunction after the application of Tetra products.
Eliminating friction also quickens the cyclic rate, which is seldom a good idea.

Chuck

 

[CH]

Lubriplate(Fiske Brothers Refining) and Royal Lubricants are longtime military contractors.
Good 'ole Nitro solvent, hot soapy water, and standard petroleum oil still work fine on most weapons.
I prefer to use newer tech products like Break-Free CLP(1973), but I wouldn't care if I had to use the old stuff, I'd just have to clean and lube a lttle more often.

As a side note, during WWII, the Russians often used sunflower oil on their weapons, because it didn't congeal in cold weather.

 

[Galileo]

That seems to be the ticket Jim...I'll look into something like that.


Havoc

...guess I'm going to take that one to the grave with me

:


Pistolwrench: interesting info...and I thought I was bad

Look out for Havoc he may make you wear your reputation like some of us. BTW, remind me not to loan you my gun

CH: sounds like those are the ones...thanks


...and to all...thanks
Gali

[This message has been edited by Galileo (edited 09-19-2001).]

 

[feedramp]

Originally posted by pistolwrench:
Two rather primitive sources of lube have been motor oil from the dipstick of a vehicle and, once again to prove a point, bacon grease!

(snipped for brevity)

Chuck

Second the motion on the bacon grease. I use it on the cylinder pin on my 1861 Navy Colt revolver to soften the black powder residue, and allow me to shoot longer before I have to clean it. It's better than any other lube I've tried...even those designed for use with BP.

 

[CH]

Oops, forgot to provide links to the companies above: www.lubriplate.com www.royallube.com

I have a 12 ounce can of Break-Free CLP and a tube of Tetra Gun grease in my gear bag at a friend's hunting shack. Works great. www.break-free.com www.tetraproducts.com

Buy a 12oz. can of Break-Free here for $6.15: www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

 

[Galileo]

Thanks again CH for the links. Don't need prices though.

...I thought bacon grease was meant for pig iron...yuk,yuk,yuk,

I'll check 'em out- or maybe buy a pig.

Gali

[This message has been edited by Galileo (edited 09-19-2001).]

 

[Jim V]

Gali, the way to keep your pistol lubed would be seal oil.

------------------
Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
MOLON LABE
Leonidas c 480 BC
FFF

 

[JohnBT]

I don't have a lot of bacon grease.

I wonder if the fake butter from the fast food joints would work? I can't stand those little tubs of veggie oils, colors and conditioners, so I'd have a constant supply of free lube.

John

 

[ElrodCod]

I use Castrol Syntech 5w30 automotive oil. Think about it....all the qualities that make a good lubricating oil are there. What can be a more hostile envirenment for proper lubrication than a hot, dirty crankcase. It does the job under extreme adverse conditions. A couple of hundred rounds of hardball between lubes is lame compared to 3000 miles between oil changes.

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ElrodCod
NRA Life Member

 

[gyp_c]

...Here's one...How about Bar oil for chain saws? I had nothing with me once at the empty range and used some from the gallon jugs I buy for work...actually worked great. Kinda' tacky on metal and sure doesn't break down with use

About 3.00US per gallon...

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>>>>>>>>>>g2<<<<<<<<<<

!!!Molon Labe'!!!

 

[Galileo]

Seal Oil Jim????

very funny

You know, I've been to the mountains quite a few times since that fateful day. Since then, considering all my subsequent adventures, I've acted in the tradition of the American media...censor...censor...censor

...no full blown swimmin', but real close. Hey c'mon, they don't call it a Rock River for nothin'

...besides all that,show me a Seal in the mountains and I'll swim in the desert.

Gali

 

[Jim V]

Well, people can still kill seals and killing whales is really looked on with displeasure, whale oil was out. Otters are too skinny to have much body fat to render into oil, so seal oil. And not the wet suit guys either. LOL

------------------
Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
MOLON LABE
Leonidas c 480 BC
FFF