When you first get into guns, you’ll soon realize most need to be run wet rather than bone dry. You might think it doesn’t matter what lubricant you choose. Maybe you are faced with so many options that you don’t even know where to start. Yes, there are a ridiculous number of gun lubes on the market. Some are nothing more than marketing gimmicks, while others are legit options for dedicated shooters. We will help you figure out which lubes are the best for your gun and explain why based on real-life experience.
What’s gun lube?
It’s worth figuring out what gun lube is because you’ll find it under many different names. You might see gun lubricants marketed as gun oil, gun grease, gun lubricant, or even CLP. Sometimes, a different designation is used to clarify that a product is more viscous or includes certain ingredients. In truth, there’s no guarantee you can tell them apart that way. For this roundup, we will largely stick to the “gun lube” name to keep confusion at a minimum.
Does gun lube only lubricate?
Gun lube can be specially formulated to lubricate high-friction surfaces on your firearm, or it can be a multi-use product that’s made to clean and protect. Most lubes will indeed also provide some level of protection for the surface. It’s important to remember that the amount of protection and how long it lasts can vary a lot. All gun lubes lubricate, but only some are also made to be used as cleaners. This is important to understand because some of the buildup we get on our firearms requires a more specific cleaning product. Have gun lube? Fantastic, but you might need an additional cleaning and buildup removal product.
Hoppe’s No. 9 Lubricating Oil
Hoppe’s No. 9 is a brand that definitely qualifies as a classic. If you grew up around guns, this smell might bring back a lot of memories; if you didn’t, it still might trigger some gun-related stuff because you’ve gotten samples with other purchases or tried it yourself. Hoppe’s is a tried-and-true brand with an extensive line of options. This includes the expected lubricants, as well as heavy grease, CLP, bore cleaner, and lead remover.
Does Hoppe’s work? Yes, Hoppe’s is a reasonable choice for many gun owners. The company’s Lubricating Oil offers high viscosity for versatility and longevity. It’s a great gun lube to toss in your range bag and break out as needed (because you have to have gun lube on hand). If you live in an area with extreme freezes or shoot truly high round-count classes, Hoppe’s Lubricating Oil might not be quite up to the task. However, it is good for general use. Although Hoppe’s isn’t a personal favorite, it qualifies as one of the top five when considering lubes and 3-in-1 products. And while Hoppe’s offers 3-in-1/CLP products that work well, their lubes seem to work best. Check out Hoppe’s 9 Black line, too. It’s fantastic.
Ballistol Multi-Purpose Oil
It just makes sense to talk about Ballistol right after Hoppe’s because it’s another long-time brand many gun owners recognize. Ballistol Multi-Purpose Oil is a gun lube but also a clean-and-protect product. One nice thing about this product is that it’s designed to be skin-safe, although I wouldn’t recommend rubbing it in your eyes. It comes as an aerosol, liquid, and wipes, giving you many application options. Ballistol is designed to dissolve carbon and provide a slick surface without gumming up.
Here’s what I prefer for guns going into the safe for a while. The Multi-Purpose Oil can be used to clean and lightly lubricate firearms for storage. It’s also safe for use to clean and protect wood stocks. If you have multiple firearms and some spend a lot of time lounging in the safe, use Ballistol Multi-Purpose Oil to keep them pristine and protected until you need them again. This is a solid oil for use on everything from revolvers to Glocks to AR-15s.
SEAL 1 CLP
SEAL 1 is a 3-in-1 product offered as a paste, liquid, aerosol, or wipes. It’s a bio-based product that does it all, from rust and corrosion prevention to removing residue to lubricating. As a lube, SEAL 1 is fantastic. It won’t lock up your gun and maintains lubricity in a wide range of temperatures. The manufacturer lists it as being rated for temps ranging from -50 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit. From personal experience, I can tell you it’s a great lube down to -31 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit because those are the extreme temps I’ve used it in.
When using the CLP paste, you need to apply it according to the directions. It’s easy and fast to apply as a liquid or spray. I like the CLP paste for cleaning and the liquid for lubing at the range. The saturated CLP pads are easy to drop in your pocket if you’re hunting. SEAL 1 CLP is a stellar product that’s worked well on every platform I’ve used it on.
Safariland Break Free CLP
The first time I used Safariland Break Free CLP was during a trip where I’d forgotten to pack lube (the only time that’s happened). Break Free CLP is a gun oil that handles the 3-in-1 uses of cleaning, lubing, and protecting. According to Safariland, it was originally created for military use and, as such, has proven itself in some crazy climates. As with most 3-in-1 lubes, it includes a rust inhibitor and removes fouling. It’s a great light cleaner for guns that aren’t hideously filthy—yes, my guns get hideously filthy—and a nice lube for general use. Given the lighter oil it applies to firearms, it would likely also work well for guns going into storage. Personally, I prefer it for use on long guns, but it’s also good for keeping your handgun lightly lubed.
Wolf Premium Oils All-in-One Gun Oil
Wolf’s All-in-One Gun Oil is a nice lubricant that also happens to clean and protect. It’s non-toxic, viscous, and marketed as being capable of keeping gun barrel temps down longer than many other brands. It’s a thick enough oil to provide good lubricity during high-round-count classes and doesn’t muck up the gun (lubes and oils that do can make quite a mess that’s frustrating to clean up). I largely use this gun lube as, well, a lube—but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t also use it to clean. The bottle has a nice, slim applicator tip that makes it a lot easier to apply without simply dumping or spraying it on. As a bonus, Wolf also makes oils for fishing reels, bows, and knives.
What gun lube should you use?
Some gun lubes are better for high round count use, while others are great for the average day at the range. If you live in an area with extreme temps, you’re going to want a lube that’s truly capable of functioning at those temps (which is why I’ve come to favor SEAL1 CLP for many things). Sprays don’t work well for precise application, but they’re fine when you’re field stripping to clean and lube. The same goes for CLP pastes—you’re not likely to want to try and spot-apply those. Liquids with good applicator tips are ideal for across-the-board use, and many shooters can benefit from higher-viscosity products.
Here’s the thing about gun lubes: if you keep your gun lubed, you’re good to go. Generally speaking, there’s no good reason to obsessively clean your firearm. I’ve purposefully run rifles and handguns alike in what many would see as horribly dirty conditions, simply adding lube as needed. Moisture tends to be more important than cleanliness. That said, when it comes to your carry gun or a gun going into the safe, those are the guns you want to keep clean and maintained to a higher standard.
What’s your go-to gun lube? Tell us in the comments.
