All through my shooting life I was taught that 3 in 1 oil was too thin to be a good gun oil and was told NEVER to use it. Never heard of it as a cleaner.
3 in 1 oil?
I am new to revolvers and have been reading articles and watching videos about how to clean and lubricate the parts and I ran across an article linked from here that talked about using 3 in 1 oil. I used Hoppe's 9 on my Glock and 605 but I was wondering about 3 in 1 oil. It is great for cleaning and anti-corrosion on everything else I have used it on and even the website says it is good for firearms.
Can anyone provide any insight into using 3 in 1 oil?
Can anyone provide any insight into using 3 in 1 oil?
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I have known a few who have used it without any issues what so ever. Of course there are others who will swear that a good 30 weight motor oil is all that is ever required.
Seems like 3in1 would be okay as a light lubricant for your revolver. I use Hoppes Elite and it's a very light oil but works well on the handgun.
While great for light duty precision mechanical devices, like typewriters, sewing machines, fishing reels, and things like that 3 in 1 has really poor thermal properties. Exposed to heat it will cook off quickly. It'd be OK I guess for internal parts but I wouldn't use it on slides / rails / bushings. It does not gum up so it might be great in revolver lock works but being very low viscosity it will tend to all run out.
There's better choices.
There's better choices.
I was planning on continuing to use Hoppe's products for cleaning and oiling as they have worked great so far. Thank you for the insight.
While great for light duty precision mechanical devices, like typewriters, sewing machines, fishing reels, and things like that 3 in 1 has really poor thermal properties. Exposed to heat it will cook off quickly. It'd be OK I guess for internal parts but I wouldn't use it on slides / rails / bushings. It does not gum up so it might be great in revolver lock works but being very low viscosity it will tend to all run out.
There's better choices.
^^^^^^^ This
Nearly anything can be used as a lubricant, the choice is highly personal. Once in a field situation I used corn oil. 3 in 1 will likely work, but as previously stated it will likely burn off quickly if you shoot more than a few rounds. There are a number of choices at the local gun counter specifically designed for use in firearms. Since guns are relatively expensive, and gun lubricants are relatively inexpensive, I usually choice the products designed for use in guns.
I use Mobil 1 motor oil ...a quart will last for years
Although any lubricant is better than no lubricant, 3 in 1 oil is a bit light and as mentioned has poor thermal properties.
For cleaning, straight ATF (Auto Transmission Fluid) is one of the best.
A good all around CLP is a quart can of ATF mixed with a pint bottle of STP. Sometimes I find it to be a little too thick and I thin it down with synthetic motor oil.
If you know someone in the restaurant business, get some of the grease they use in the dish washer. It is high temp, high moisture grease and about the best gun grease you can find. But I usually use whatever grease I have available in my garage, that could be lithium or bearing grease, or anything else on the shelf. Since I rarely use the greases in my garage, I buy a couple of those screw top makeup jars (very small and in the travel section of Wally World) and fill them with grease. One of them usually lasts more than a year on my EDC guns, which get cleaned more often than my other guns.
For triggers, safeties, strikers, hammers, extractors I like to use a DFL (Dry Film Lubricant) I have a large bottle of MiliTech 1 left over from Iraq, and it is very good for parts that you want lubed and protected from corrosion, but at the same time don't want lint and stuff to gum up the works from being sticky. It is especially good for strikers IMO.
For cleaning, straight ATF (Auto Transmission Fluid) is one of the best.
A good all around CLP is a quart can of ATF mixed with a pint bottle of STP. Sometimes I find it to be a little too thick and I thin it down with synthetic motor oil.
If you know someone in the restaurant business, get some of the grease they use in the dish washer. It is high temp, high moisture grease and about the best gun grease you can find. But I usually use whatever grease I have available in my garage, that could be lithium or bearing grease, or anything else on the shelf. Since I rarely use the greases in my garage, I buy a couple of those screw top makeup jars (very small and in the travel section of Wally World) and fill them with grease. One of them usually lasts more than a year on my EDC guns, which get cleaned more often than my other guns.
For triggers, safeties, strikers, hammers, extractors I like to use a DFL (Dry Film Lubricant) I have a large bottle of MiliTech 1 left over from Iraq, and it is very good for parts that you want lubed and protected from corrosion, but at the same time don't want lint and stuff to gum up the works from being sticky. It is especially good for strikers IMO.
3 in 1 is a light machine oil, made for lubricating machines...sewing machines , electric motors and such. Developed in 1894 an old school CLP. Cleans lubricates and protects long before Shooters Choice hit the market . It is a LIGHT oil and will dissipate but It doesn't go gummy and is great for firearms and trigger . just apply often .
I've used it for years along with Rem-Oil. Most shooter want to buy expensive super dooper lubes thinking it better but I haven't experienced it.
Some other good lubes...Mobile 1 synthetic , a 50-50 mix of ATF and kerosene , ATF is a good lube but I like it thinner , use out the bottle for a heavier oil. Note I like regular General Motors ATF (not synthetic) , synthetic will not mix with kerosene or mineral spirits . Google Ed's Red Bore Cleaner for a good recipe for bore cleaner and lubricant .
ATF , automotive motor oils and synthetic two stroke oils have very good thermal properties...motors and transmissions get hot !
Gary
I've used it for years along with Rem-Oil. Most shooter want to buy expensive super dooper lubes thinking it better but I haven't experienced it.
Some other good lubes...Mobile 1 synthetic , a 50-50 mix of ATF and kerosene , ATF is a good lube but I like it thinner , use out the bottle for a heavier oil. Note I like regular General Motors ATF (not synthetic) , synthetic will not mix with kerosene or mineral spirits . Google Ed's Red Bore Cleaner for a good recipe for bore cleaner and lubricant .
ATF , automotive motor oils and synthetic two stroke oils have very good thermal properties...motors and transmissions get hot !
Gary
I would also think that there are better choices than 3 in 1 oil.
A lot of people don't realize that 3 in 1 is the original "CLP". The 3 is for 3 uses in 1 oil..... "Clean, Lubricate, Protect"3 in 1 is a light machine oil, made for lubricating machines...sewing machines , electric motors and such. Developed in 1894 an old school CLP. Cleans lubricates and protects long before Shooters Choice hit the market . It is a LIGHT oil and will dissipate but It doesn't go gummy and is great for firearms and trigger . just apply often .
I've used it for years along with Rem-Oil. Most shooter want to buy expensive super dooper lubes thinking it better but I haven't experienced it.
Some other good lubes...Mobile 1 synthetic , a 50-50 mix of ATF and kerosene , ATF is a good lube but I like it thinner , use out the bottle for a heavier oil. Note I like regular General Motors ATF (not synthetic) , synthetic will not mix with kerosene or mineral spirits . Google Ed's Red Bore Cleaner for a good recipe for bore cleaner and lubricant .
ATF , automotive motor oils and synthetic two stroke oils have very good thermal properties...motors and transmissions get hot !
Gary
Synthetic ATF is an interesting idea that I would not have thought of, but that is why I asked. It can handle high heat, like in a transmission and is even used in power steering systems. Seeing as how it is red and not clear could make oiling easier for me since I could see where it went. Well that and I have a ton left over after flushing out the PS system on my Subaru.
Straight up ATF is one of the best for cleaning your weapon. Mix it with some STP (and maybe a little synthetic motor oil too) and you have one of the best homebrew gun oils you can find.
My grandfather started teaching me to shoot and clean firearms when I was 6 years old. All he ever used was 3 IN 1 oil for lubricating his firearms. And to this day, I still use it. Not ALL the time, but a pretty good bit.
I use 3 IN 1 oil on my knife sharpening stones.
I use 3 IN 1 oil on my knife sharpening stones.
I think everyone has an oil they like. The best oils are the ones that don't gum up. I use Synthetic motor oil for lube and WD-40 as a cleaner.
I probably have a pint left of the Redline 75w90 Synthetic gear oil that I used on the gearbox change in my '92 Miata. I put it down in the gun room and need to give it a tryout on the guns. I have a small Tabasco bottle with the plastic opening that should work well to dispense.
Guess I am the odd man out, I only use gun grease and Hoppes to clean....................
Then again I rip my guns apart constantly to screw with them................
Then again I rip my guns apart constantly to screw with them................
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