WD-40 for cleaning pistols?

[alfsauve]

Did you notice my comment under the article?

It was such words of wisdom ill quote it for you

Alfred Sauve says:
November 21, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Tell me that the picture representing “Clean It” isn’t WD-40 and it isn’t spraying the stuff into the action via the hammer slot. Just tell me I was hallucinating. WD-40 is right up there with 3-in-1 oil as one of the worst “lubricants”. (Actually they’re both owned by the same company.) It’s great for getting water off your tools when they get wet, but not for lubrication. And the article specifically says don’t try to spray lubricant into the action, but the picture only re-enforces the bad practice.
Come on Ed, Marshall, Michael. I’m available if you need someone to better select supporting pictures for an article.

[jaybet]

It needs a red circle with a line through it.

[Ichiban]

OK kids... this was a trick question
In a way.
I thought the WD-40 as a NO-NO..... and now the reason I posted it.

Please see the article from Ed Head on the main Down Range TV web site.

http://www.downrange.tv/blog/revolver-tips-and-tricks/18975/

Notice the picture.....


Now notice where the red "squirt tube" is pointing.

and now read the following quote from Ed Head.

Just wanted to bring to light a WHAT?    moment - seeing the picture and reading the words - not jiving.

My take on this was that it was a editing/layout mistake and somewhere along the line someone forgot to superimpose a big red prohibition symbol on the picture.

[RTFM]

Honestly Alfsauve, I did not see (or obviously read) your comment.
Talk about total condition White situational awareness huh?

Apparently great minds DO think alike though! 

Yah Ichiban, most possibly someone did drop the ball.... but until it is fixed.... it's outlining exactly how to do what not to do.
AND... in a HOW TO post to boot.

 

[alfsauve]

I was once a WD-40 addict, but have seen the error of my ways.   I still use it but only for things that get wet, like tools after working on plumbing.

Nothing wrong with 3-in-1 as a mechanical lubricant for gross machinery.  But for "fine" machinery it will gum up in a short period of time.

My dad had a saying, "Never use oil on clocks or locks."   I extend that to mean "everyday oil" on 'lockworks".

BTB, for those wondering how to get rid of squeaky hinges, use a silicone spray.  Will last as long and won't attracts dust and dirt.

[Sponsor]

[Jrlobo]

RTFM,

      As my ole daddy used to say: "Son, don't ask questions you already know the answer to.  Now bend over..." I just wish people would stop trying to find home remedies for their rifles and revolvers. You pay good money for them and then try to save .50c or a $1 on keeping them in good condition. I just don't see the payback in that.

[PegLeg45]

I thought 3-in-1 oil was designed as a fine machine oil for sewing machines with rapidly moving parts? Famed gunsmith Alex Hamilton lauds it as a firearms lubricant. I've used it for years.


Anywhooo.... as to the OP, as others have mentioned, WD-40 is not meant as a long-term lube for firearms. I have used it when hunting or camping and a weapon got wet..... saturate the gun in the sweet-smelling fish oil and drive all the moisture out (as its intended use). I just made sure to re-clean when I got home after the trip.

[Bic]

Apropos of not very much in this context, but I just came across this titbit:



Penetrating Oils
 
Machinist's Workshop magazine
recently published some information on various penetrating oils that I found very interesting.
Some of you might appreciate this. The magazine reports they tested penetrates for break out torque on rusted nuts.
 
 
 
They are below, as forwarded by an ex-student and professional machinist.
They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrates with the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a
"scientifically rusted" environment.
 
 
 
*Penetrating oils ........... Average torque load to loosen*
 
 
 
No Oil used ................... 516 pounds
WD-40 ..................... ... 238 pounds
PB Blaster .................... 214 pounds
Liquid Wrench ...............127 pounds
Kano Kroil .................... 106 pounds
ATF*-Acetone mix............53 pounds
 
 
 
The ATF-Acetone mix is a "home brew" mix of 50 - 50 automatic transmission fluid and acetone.
Note this "home brew" released bolts better than any commercial product in this one particular test.
 
 
 
Our local machinist group mixed up a batch and we all now use it with equally good results.
Note also that "Liquid Wrench" is almost as good as "Kroil"
for about 20% of the price.
 
 
 
Steve from Godwin-Singer says that ATF-Acetone mix is best, but you can also use ATF and lacquer thinner in a 50-50 mix.
 
 
 
*ATF=Automatic Transmission Fluid
 

[PegLeg45]

Good info, Bic..... nice to have a measurable comparison for those of us who tend to lean toward tedium in matters such as this (raising my hand)  .................

I have been a long-term proponent of the use of PB B'laster and Liquid Wrench from back in my industrial days....good stuff.
I have been using Kroil for about seven years to great effect.... mostly with firearms, but other things like seized padlocks and the like. I use the Kroil more than Hoppe's these days.

[RTFM]

Learned about PB Blaster when I was trying to get the rusted bed bolts off my Jeep J-20 pick up.
PB-Blaster WORKED!
Took about three days of wetting but hey they were put on 33 years ago....

Kroil - an old time gunner told me about that to loosen crud from rifling inside a barrel.
Also works.


Anyone familiar with Ballistol?
I know Hickok45 lives and dies by it - have not tried it my self.