1911 lubrication

[AverageMidwest]

Disclaimer: I use CLP at present.

1. I've read multiple articles on this topic by various people and it seems like there are two tribes: grease vs oil. One article says absolutely use grease (the right kind) in the usual places - frame rails, slide etc etc. The next says absolutely don't use grease, it attracts contaminants like sand, instead use oil (the right kind) in the usual places. Purely by coincidence, I'm sure, both types of articles usually have fine print disclaimers saying that the author is sponsored by Acme Lubricants or whatever....

Anyway, I'm looking for a lightweight Commander at the moment and want to start it right. My current RIA is a learning tool.

2. Prevention of idiot scratch? Best suggestion I've read is getting an Ed Brown slide stop which is already notched. Other suggestions?

 

[Dean C.]

Ultima-Lube II Universal | 4 oz. Bottle

Ultima-Lube II Universal, 4 oz. Bottle

shopwilsoncombat.com

Apply to slide rails , frame rails , barrel hood and any other moving surface. Though I am very guilty of running my 1911/2011's "wet"

 

[TheGhostRider]

Start here. 3rd faq down.
This is the protocol I use on my 1911s.

FAQ - Dan Wesson Firearms

FAQ Q. What is procedure for sending my gun in for service or warranty work? A. Please go to danwessonfirearms.com click on the support tab, and then look for Dan Wesson warranty request form. Q. I am not the original owner of my gun is it still covered under warranty? A. No,…

danwessonfirearms.com

I use the following products.
G96 Complete Triple-Action Gun Treatment 12 oz https://a.co/d/1aiMFry

Mil-Comm TW25B Premium Firearm and Gun Grease 4-Ounce Tapered Tip Tube, Synthetic Lubricant https://a.co/d/3MUcDlQ

If it’s good in Dan Wesson’s eyes… it’s good enough for me.

My DW Valor down to my RIA and everything in between gets treated this way with these products.

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

2. Prevention of idiot scratch? Best suggestion I've read is getting an Ed Brown slide stop which is already notched. Other suggestions?

you don't really have to rotate the ss into place as most assume, they generally just pop into place by pressing straight down.
But I have been known to use a couple pieces of painter's or black electrical tape on the frame, no shame in that game...I can't stand idiot scratches personally...

 

[gregkl]

you don't really have to rotate the ss into place as most assume, they generally just pop into place by pressing straight down.
But I have been known to use a couple pieces of painter's or black electrical tape on the frame, no shame in that game...I can't stand idiot scratches personally...

I cut a piece of a playing card that covers the area that gets scratched. I used it early on, but don't anymore. Like Tyler says, you can usually just press it straight in or close enough that your not swinging the SS over the frame.

As far as lube, I'm not fussy. I keep it clean(now) and oil it with gun oil. It's loose enough that pebbles and small stones will just fall out of the slide rails.

 

[88E30M50]

I tend to run my 1911s wet. I've been using a homebrew gun lube for years. It's made by mixing 1 qt Mobil 1 with 1 qt Mobil 1 ATF. Then, I add a bit of STP to alter the viscosity a bit. The last batch I mixed was back in 2011 and I've still got about a third of it left. In a pinch, it makes for a decent, mild gun cleaner too.

For carry, I'm a bit more judicious in my application of lube. For the range though, I don't mind a bit of seepage around the pins.

On the SS, I tend to notch the SS myself on guns that don't already have an idiot scratch. Both of my USGI 1911s came with idiot scratches and I don't do permanent mods on those, so I'm just very careful upon reassembly using the stock SS.

 

[COOPADUP]

I agree with Dean. Use a generous amount of good oil.

 

[llh1956]

I tend to run my 1911s wet. I've been using a homebrew gun lube for years. It's made by mixing 1 qt Mobil 1 with 1 qt Mobil 1 ATF. Then, I add a bit of STP to alter the viscosity a bit. The last batch I mixed was back in 2011 and I've still got about a third of it left. In a pinch, it makes for a decent, mild gun cleaner too.

For carry, I'm a bit more judicious in my application of lube. For the range though, I don't mind a bit of seepage around the pins.

On the SS, I tend to notch the SS myself on guns that don't already have an idiot scratch. Both of my USGI 1911s came with idiot scratches and I don't do permanent mods on those, so I'm just very careful upon reassembly using the stock SS.

I am also a fan of notching the slide stop!

 

[BigMoose]

I use Coastal wheel bearing grease.. one $4 tub is a lifetime supply.

If it slides, grease it... if it turns, oil it.

 

[WebSnyper]

Start here. 3rd faq down.
This is the protocol I use on my 1911s.

FAQ - Dan Wesson Firearms

FAQ Q. What is procedure for sending my gun in for service or warranty work? A. Please go to danwessonfirearms.com click on the support tab, and then look for Dan Wesson warranty request form. Q. I am not the original owner of my gun is it still covered under warranty? A. No,…

danwessonfirearms.com

I use the following products.
G96 Complete Triple-Action Gun Treatment 12 oz https://a.co/d/1aiMFry

Mil-Comm TW25B Premium Firearm and Gun Grease 4-Ounce Tapered Tip Tube, Synthetic Lubricant https://a.co/d/3MUcDlQ

If it’s good in Dan Wesson’s eyes… it’s good enough for me.

My DW Valor down to my RIA and everything in between gets treated this way with these products.

I was with it until I read this part "It is very important to stay away from strippers"

 

[mcapo]

I use a home brew of engine assembly lube and Mobile 1 mixed to desired viscosity.

On stainless steel guns I will use a tad bit of Slide Glide on the rails.

I will use a business card on the slide stop, if not notched and/or if the 1911 belongs to someone else.

 

[mcapo]

Start here. 3rd faq down.
This is the protocol I use on my 1911s.

FAQ - Dan Wesson Firearms

FAQ Q. What is procedure for sending my gun in for service or warranty work? A. Please go to danwessonfirearms.com click on the support tab, and then look for Dan Wesson warranty request form. Q. I am not the original owner of my gun is it still covered under warranty? A. No,…

danwessonfirearms.com

I use the following products.
G96 Complete Triple-Action Gun Treatment 12 oz https://a.co/d/1aiMFry

Mil-Comm TW25B Premium Firearm and Gun Grease 4-Ounce Tapered Tip Tube, Synthetic Lubricant https://a.co/d/3MUcDlQ

If it’s good in Dan Wesson’s eyes… it’s good enough for me.

My DW Valor down to my RIA and everything in between gets treated this way with these products.

"Don’t get overly concerned with having the gun spotless."

Good advice from DW

 

[Mgderf]

Lubriplate no. 105 motor assembly grease on anything that slides.
Permatex engine assembly lube for rotating parts.

 

[DadSmith]

Lubriplate no. 105 motor assembly grease on anything that slides.
Permatex engine assembly lube for rotating parts.

Isn't that what CM used or was it so other grease?

 

[mcapo]

Isn't that what CM used or was it so other grease?

I know this was a part of CM's regimen and is what I mix with Mobile 1. Not sure about the other grease.

 

[Ziggidy]

Sounds like there are a variety of mixtures that people use which brings me to my question. Do you have a go to mixture lube that you apply to all your guns or do you have specific lubes (mixtures) for specific models?

 

[BE Mike]

For highly accurized 1911's for precision pistol competition, I use oil because of the super tight tolerances. I like FP-10. For carry and range 1911's I use TWB 25 grease. The most important thing is to lube and where. Around the end of the barrel where it fits into the barrel bushing. One the hood of the barrel and on the rails. I also like some lube on the firing pin channel of the slide. Stainless steel frames and slides especially must always have lubrication. Too many people overthink the products. About any decent product works.

 

[TheGhostRider]

I’ve literally used motor oil off a dipstick to lube a gun. I prefer fresh oil but in the heat of the moment ky would work.

 

[BigRed]

I pretty much just use Ballistol on most everything anymore.

 

[G192127]

I think BEMike's advice is spot on...he's shot thousands of rounds in competition.
I gowith mfg's recommendation,aside from that your pistol will tell you how wet or dry.