Lube for Bolt and carrier assembly

[Robin]

Took my 6.8 to the range an hour ago for a sight in and for the first time ever, it failed to fire. The first three rounds failed, no dent in the primer, the forward assist tells me it is in battery. The next seven rounds fire, I move the target to one hundred yards, reloaded my ten rounds (FUAC), and all ten rounds fail to fire. So I head home and break down the bolt carrier assembly which feels sticky to me, it is clean, for the seven shots fired, but the firing pin was not moving freely. Washed it all down with WD-40 blew it all off and wiped it all down.
I'm pretty sure the last time I cleaned it I used an old bottle of military LSA for lube but I'm not sure, maybe there is a shelf life for it I am not aware of. Before I put it back together I would like to know what you guys are using.
It does have a set trigger and like all of them it hasn't got the oomph of the standard one but it has enough to do the job and I have never had this problem before.
Robin

 

[kev74]

Lately I've been using Slip2000. I like the synthetic oils because they tend not to get gummy and sticky after they sit.

That being said, in a pinch, I'll use whatever's handy.

 

[technicalgadget]

A quart of Mobil1 and long stem cotton swabs last a long time. I think in this case, less is more.

 

[Robin]

Less is more is my school of thought on this subject. I do have some mobil 1, I may give it a try.
Robin

 

[meketrefe]

An AR even with zero lube should not cease like that so you might have an interference or friction in some parts.
check cam bolt and other parts for burs.
For the oil use the cheapest engine 0-30 or 10-40 oil you can find at the local big box store. Synthetic is better as it is more resistant to heat
and lasts longer in parts and shelf.
The super-tech full syntetic from wallyworld is a to quality US made oil rebranded for retailers. Amazon basics full synthetic is the same.

 

[Mosinitis]

You can't tell by forward assist if the round is fully chambered. You can hit forward assist to help and it could still be out of the battery. Doesn't sound like lubricant is the cause. Sounds like the cases are not properly sized.

 

[Robin]

All my casings get full length sizing. That thought did occur to me and double checked, good to go.
Robin

 

[meketrefe]

check also extractor and ejector plunger to make sure they move freely and without excessive force.
It is not that uncomon this to be too much or with restricted movement along with the excessive force
on the hammer spring that would be for the starting of the opening cycle.
This happens becuse we get springs and parts for different sources and who knows..

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

It's completely FUBAR. Give it to me before you hurt yourself.

 

[Robin]

Well, I put off all my chores and went back to the range after a thorough cleaning checking all the parts, including the extractor and plunger, used Mobil 1 and lightly lubed it up. Took the same batch of ammo and had at it. The thing worked like a champ!!!! This was, is, my first AR, an off the shelf, left handed Stag, even after my expansion in this field of shooting sports with other calibers, I still love that 6.8SPC!!!
Thank you all for the insights and suggestions, I take them all seriously, well, except ole Carlos, Not on your best day Pard!
Robin

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I have to try the Mobil 1. The only issue I've ever had was with my Spike's nickle boron bcg. It would stick in the chamber after use between the time I finished shooting and got it home to clean. At that time I was using Froglube.

 

[togmaster]

A light coat of mobil 1 or similar

 

[thegatman]

Stay away from wd-40. The Mobil 1 worked great. Easy fix.

 

[Twogunwilly]

How soon we forget; two words; beaver lube.

 

[Vapor]

I like slip 2000 or egw weapons grease.

Runs well in the ars and minis.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Slip 2000 EWL.

Period.

i have personally used it in temps ranging from -21 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit .

 

[Robin]

First I'm hearing of this stuff!!!! I wonder how it compares, chemically, to Mobil 1?
Robin

 

[Eddie Gunks]

First I'm hearing of this stuff!!!! I wonder how it compares, chemically, to Mobil 1?
Robin

it does not.
Slip 2000 is not a petroleum based product.

I have a gallon of it sitting on a shelf somewhere in ny. Ha ha ha

 

[218bee]

Been using Mobil 1 now for about 10 years. Im sold on it, and use it on all mechanical parts, air guns, firearms, etc..

 

[Vapor]

First I'm hearing of this stuff!!!! I wonder how it compares, chemically, to Mobil 1?
Robin

It's a synthetic oil that's not petroleum based.

 

[technicalgadget]

Mobil1 is a 100% synthetic oil, using group IV and V base stock and non petroleum based.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Honeatl

Slip 2000 EWL.

Period.

i have personally used it in temps ranging from -21 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit .

+1 for this stuff. It is in every handgun I own and all my AR's.

Have I torture tested it like Eddie? No. Is it overkill (or comparable to other products)? Probably. Is it cheap piece of mind? For me it is.

PYTactical turned me onto it ages ago (RIP, buddy).

 

[ArmedCorgi]

it does not.
Slip 2000 is not a petroleum based product.

I have a gallon of it sitting on a shelf somewhere in ny. Ha ha ha

That's a $300 gallon you have just sitting there. That's at least enough to fund another four years of where ever you are now.

 

[Chevusa]

There are a few small holes in the BGC that are for emergency lube in case of malfunction. Take a look for them. I wouldn’t use WD 40. My fav is weapon shield or Lucas extreme.

I also got a can of hopes emergency medic spray that cleans and lubes in one for emergency field use. Keep it in the bag.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

That's a $300 gallon you have just sitting there. That's at least enough to fund another four years of where ever you are now.

go pick it up in tillson. I will give you a deal as well.....

 

[ArmedCorgi]

go pick it up in tillson. I will give you a deal as well.....

Ha! I drive two hours to pick up $300 worth of lube, my girlfriend is gonna start questioning my online habbits, lol.

 

[kev74]

Ha! I drive two hours to pick up $300 worth of lube, my girlfriend is gonna start questioning my online habbits, lol.

Just tell her you're going to get $300 worth of second hand lube from a guy you met on the internet. She'll understand.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Ha! I drive two hours to pick up $300 worth of lube, my girlfriend is gonna start questioning my online habbits, lol.

dont worry. She has done more for lube.......

 

[ArmedCorgi]

dont worry. She has done more for lube.......

Yeah, but getting Shanghai'd to Thailand ain't one of them.

 

[Robin]

Just to be clear, I don't use WD 40 as a lubricant, but rather as a solvent to remove old lubricants and in that capacity it works really well.
I do use it on muzzleloader barrels in the last step of cleaning after a day of shooting. Using plain tap water to clean out fouling, I dry the barrel till I am satisfied it is indeed dry then spray the bore with WD 40, shove a patched wedge down the bore forcing the WD out the touch hole along with any moisture that was lurking in a nook or cranny, Stand the gun up, barrel down to drain excess. WD 40 will dry leaving a film and it seems to work because I have never had a problem with rust in my ML bores. Long term, I coat the bore with Rig.
Robin