Lever gun lube

[Nawlins Kid SASS #36107]

Suggestions on a good lube for 44-40 and 45 long colt lever guns, especially the 45. The lube would have to last for 10 stages before cleaning.

Nawlins

[Eyesa Horg]

I use Lucas Gun Oil

[Wyatt Earp SASS#1628L]

I may be mistaken,  but I think he's asking about bullet lube (for BP)?

SPG

50/50 Crisco and beeswax

Big lube bullets with whatever they come lubed.

[Nawlins Kid SASS #36107]

7 minutes ago, Wyatt Earp SASS#1628L said:

I may be mistaken,  but I think he's asking about bullet lube (for BP)?

SPG

50/50 Crisco and beeswax

Big lube bullets with whatever they come lubed.

I 'm asking for lever gun actions. I used your lube for black [power years ago.

[Sedalia Dave]

You shooting smokeless or black powder?

[Warden Callaway]

When I lube bullets,  I use Javelina.  Have some old stock. I doubt it's available now. When I lube moving parts, I use Mobil 1. 

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

Assuming smokeless powder CLP works for me.  Also have used Slip 2000 EWL (Exterme Weapon Lube). 

[Nawlins Kid SASS #36107]

1 hour ago, Sedalia Dave said:

You shooting smokeless or black powder?

 Smokeless. I was at a State match and around the 6 th stage my 73 's action was getting a stiff.

 

Edited September 18 by Nawlins Kid SASS #36107
adding info

[Dantankerous]

About two years ago I bought a used Marlin 45 Colt Cowboy. Seller said it has a Longhunter action and I have no reason to doubt that. When I took it apart for cleaning there was white (lithium?) grease on all the moving parts. Gun runs smooth as anything with that grease in it.

[Widder, SASS #59054]

From my experience in working on over 200 Marlins and talking with most of their owners,

there seem to be a wide choice of GOOD lubes that our pards are using.

 

And believe it or not, the OIL lubes out number the GREASE lubes.

And some of them even shoot their rifles almost dry.   That being said, it seems that Eezox,  when properly

applied, puts a slick coating on the metal that appears dry.

 

And although I basically shoot mine in a dry mode,  I use Strike Hold as a lube and then basically

wipe it all off.   It leaves a slick finish.

 

Having a good, clean rifle should be priority #1.   Then after that, most of our quality gun lubes should

serve you well.  

 

AS mentioned above, Lucas is also a very good gun lube.  

 

..........Widder

 

[Nawlins Kid SASS #36107]

6 minutes ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said:

From my experience in working on over 200 Marlins and talking with most of their owners,

there seem to be a wide choice of GOOD lubes that our pards are using.

 

And believe it or not, the OIL lubes out number the GREASE lubes.

And some of them even shoot their rifles almost dry.   That being said, it seems that Eezox,  when properly

applied, puts a slick coating on the metal that appears dry.

 

And although I basically shoot mine in a dry mode,  I use Strike Hold as a lube and then basically

wipe it all off.   It leaves a slick finish.

 

Having a good, clean rifle should be priority #1.   Then after that, most of our quality gun lubes should

serve you well.  

 

AS mentioned above, Lucas is also a very good gun lube.  

 

..........Widder

 

 My better half 's 45 cal Marlin action was starting to slow down with a new grease that I have tried.

[Widder, SASS #59054]

1 minute ago, Nawlins Kid SASS #36107 said:

 My better half 's 45 cal Marlin action was starting to slow down with a new grease that I have tried.

 

Marlin .45's are notorious for 'blow back' and in those situations, the top of the bolt and receiver get dirty

somewhat quicker than normal.  Oil, in a very small amount, might be her best bet on the bolt

and inside the receiver area where the bolt moves.

 

And if it is getting REAL dirty, she might consider just wiping the top of the bolt clean during

a match when the action is open.    Just a thought.

 

..........Widder

 

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

1 hour ago, Nawlins Kid SASS #36107 said:

 Smokeless. I was at a State match and around the 6 th stage my 73 's action was getting a stiff.

 

If it was the .45 then likely the carrier was getting fouling and sticking in the mortice (frame opening).  Light .45's will do that.  Most any light oil in that area mid-match will help.  Is the rifle short stroked?  Usually that includes a positive-slamdown but it can still get sticky.

[Nawlins Kid SASS #36107]

4 minutes ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

If it was the .45 then likely the carrier was getting fouling and sticking in the mortice (frame opening).  Light .45's will do that.  Most any light oil in that area mid-match will help.  Is the rifle short stroked?  Usually that includes a positive-slamdown but it can still get sticky.

 No short stroke

[Nawlins Kid SASS #36107]

2 hours ago, Tex Jones, SASS 2263 said:

Assuming smokeless powder CLP works for me.  Also have used Slip 2000 EWL (Exterme Weapon Lube). 

This is the grease I was using. Supposedly it is not to be affected by powder residue. 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

I pan lube 70% Bees wax 30% Lard 

Smokeless & BP loads with same bullet. 

Never had a issue .

Works for me .

So Saith The Rooster 

[Old Man Graybeard]

I use a 50/50 mix of Mobil 1 synthetic 0/20 motor oil and Motorkote for oil. For grease I use Mobile 1 red synthetic grease. 
Seems to work for both smokeless and APP loads 

[watab kid]

i tend to shooting mune dryer than most , a touch of balistol works fine , i do not shoot BP [yet] but ive found that lube is as easy as any to have with you and does not get sticky like WD40 has done 

[Presidio]

10 hours ago, Nawlins Kid SASS #36107 said:

Suggestions on a good lube for 44-40 and 45 long colt lever guns, especially the 45. The lube would have to last for 10 stages before cleaning.

 

Nawlins

I'm lazy.  I just spray everything down with Balistol Spray after cleaning then wipe off excess on the exterior.

 

Has been a good choice for me with 6 stages of worry free actions of firearms...even with full case fffg in .45. 

 

( Ain't ever done 10 stages straight before...the body would need some lubing it's ownself. )

 

That method applies to pistol, rifle, and shotgun.  YMV.

[Kid Rich]

Shirttail and I found that her 73 was gettin dirty quick so we jacked up the loads a little and cut way down on the foulin. My 73 will go at least 3 matches before it starts to slow down. We use Lucas #2 red grease for internals and a very light coat of bore butter for the carrier.

kR

[Johnny Meadows,SASS#28485L]

Mobil 1 works well on all internal parts.

You might try to set you crimp die to get the maximum crimp on your ammo. This cuts down blowback.

[Ranger Dan]

I use RIGG grease on the internal "sliding" parts, links, lever, lifter arm. I then use a heavy coat of CLP on the lifter with an extra couple drops for the second day of a 2 day match (10 or 12 stages) this breaks up the carbon and keeps the lifter moving smoothly, just wipe off the excess.  Light 38 loads in a short stroked 73. Same RIGG grease for the internals on a 44-40 but I run the lifter completely dry as there is no blowback and clean it about 1-2 times a year.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Breakfree CLP for smokeless gun lube.

Borebutter for BP.

[Major Art Tillery]

19 hours ago, Dantankerous said:

About two years ago I bought a used Marlin 45 Colt Cowboy. Seller said it has a Longhunter action and I have no reason to doubt that. When I took it apart for cleaning there was white (lithium?) grease on all the moving parts. Gun runs smooth as anything with that grease in it.

I use Lucas White Lithium grease on the links and lever of my Lever Actions as well

[Burt Blade, #25657]

I prefer a lithium/Teflon grease, such as Super Lube, on key spots, and ballistol where oil is sufficient.

 

 

[Nutmeg Ryder, SASS # 74966]

Howdy Nawlins, 

I shoot 45's in my 73, before each match I spray the carrier/bolt and get a little into the action of rem oil, then wipe off the residual oil. 

Internally I use Shooters choice all weather firearm grease, which claims to be stable from -60 to 350 degrees.  

As for cleaning the gun, when I notice the rem oil not loosing things up enough it gets cleaned probably every 100-120 stages  so 1000-1200 rounds.  

 

I should clean it more as it does run so much nicer, but after 10 rounds with titegroup powder it's back to being dirty, why bother 

 

[Kid Rich]

17 hours ago, Major Art Tillery said:

I use Lucas White Lithium grease on the links and lever of my Lever Actions as well

I used the white lithium grease until I took a gun apart it had been used on and discovered it had dried out. I changed to Lucas red and have not had that happen again.

kR

[Major Art Tillery]

17 minutes ago, Kid Rich said:

I used the white lithium grease until I took a gun apart it had been used on and discovered it had dried out. I changed to Lucas red and have not had that happen again.

kR

I have not had that problem... Yet anyway.  I clean mine quite a bit so perhaps that is why?  When I run out I will give that Lucas red a look.  Thanks for the info

[Kid Rich]

It was the internals of a Stoeger double and the wl grease was actually hard to wipe off.

kR

[Max Payne]

On 9/18/2023 at 7:16 PM, Nawlins Kid SASS #36107 said:

 Smokeless. I was at a State match and around the 6 th stage my 73 's action was getting a stiff.

 

When I bought my 1st Harlan Wolff (Spencer Davis) rifle about 8 years ago, he said to never use anything but Break Free CLP on it. Doesn't attract dirt like many others. Can't use it for BP, but it works great for smokeless. I have acquired 2 more of those rifles since, plus one from Lefty Wheeler. All love the Break Free. I've never had one act up due to the dirt, but my wife has maybe 2 glitches thru the years. When she did, I just shot a modest amount of CLP on each side of the carrier, & it fixed it immediately. However, I do shoot QD Electronic Cleaner on the carrier & bolt & follow with a small amount of CLP on each side of the carrier before each day of shooting. For BP, I use Moose Milk (Ballistol & water) for the same result. Works great for us.

[Captain Bill Burt]

4 hours ago, Max Payne said:

When I bought my 1st Harlan Wolff (Spencer Davis) rifle about 8 years ago, he said to never use anything but Break Free CLP on it. Doesn't attract dirt like many others. Can't use it for BP, but it works great for smokeless. I have acquired 2 more of those rifles since, plus one from Lefty Wheeler. All love the Break Free. I've never had one act up due to the dirt, but my wife has maybe 2 glitches thru the years. When she did, I just shot a modest amount of CLP on each side of the carrier, & it fixed it immediately. However, I do shoot QD Electronic Cleaner on the carrier & bolt & follow with a small amount of CLP on each side of the carrier before each day of shooting. For BP, I use Moose Milk (Ballistol & water) for the same result. Works great for us.

Harlan told me the same thing. All of the Burt clan run 1873s with C&I 5th gens, mostly dry and cleaned every 2-3 months with CLP Breakfree.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

Brushy Creek Bill told me to use grease on the firing pin extension/hammer contact point.

[Griff]

I shoot BP in 3 different 45 Colt toggle links.  My go to grease is a very light coating of Lucas Red Synthetic, but only on the link pins and contact points on the lifter, carrier spings and the carrier arm.  The carrier & mortise I keep dry.  I use this in my C&B revolvers also, but there I use a more liberal application on the arbor, internals and the ratchet.  For the toggle links I sanded off about .015" each side of the carrier.  I have run several 3 day matches and not had any problems.  I switch to C45S in two of the rifles and had problems just shooting a monthly, (6 stages).  For CAC this year I've switched back to 45Colt.  I was running APP in the C45S, and that's what I'll be using in the 45Colt starting tomorrow.  Following Colorado Coffinmaker's advice, for this match I annealed all my 45Colt cases.  Hopefully, between the clearanced carriers and annealed cases I won't have any problems this year eaither.

Edited September 21 by Griff

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

On 9/18/2023 at 7:06 PM, Widder, SASS #59054 said:

From my experience in working on over 200 Marlins and talking with most of their owners,

there seem to be a wide choice of GOOD lubes that our pards are using.

 

And believe it or not, the OIL lubes out number the GREASE lubes.

And some of them even shoot their rifles almost dry.   That being said, it seems that Eezox,  when properly

applied, puts a slick coating on the metal that appears dry.

 

And although I basically shoot mine in a dry mode,  I use Strike Hold as a lube and then basically

wipe it all off.   It leaves a slick finish.

 

Having a good, clean rifle should be priority #1.   Then after that, most of our quality gun lubes should

serve you well.  

 

AS mentioned above, Lucas is also a very good gun lube.  

 

..........Widder

 

Lucas has a red and blue colored oil.

The red is thick like 90w gear oil.

Which one do you use? 

I like the red....

[Rube Burrows]

I like Safari Charlie Gun Lube 

 

https://amzn.to/45L0QGx