The myth that WD40 is bad for guns (cheap, range, target)

[LakeLifePA]

First and foremost is WD-40 is not a lubricant. It works very similar to a cleaner we used in the military called Naptha. It's great for getting old grease and grime out of areas, and I use it to clean things like chains, etc. You must use a proper lubricant after using it however. It's a great product, and is always in my garage. For cleaning guns it would work fantastic, but don't expect it to be a long lasting lubricant or rust protector.

[TrapperL]

I saw a test a group of mental defectives ran on using WD-40. They took an AR15 using military ammo and were running the gun as fast as they could unload clips. The test was for 10,000 rounds. As the gun would start to falter, they would spray it with WD-40 and it would run again. At the end of the test, the gun looked like you had sprayed motor oil all over it and then threw several buckets of sand on the oil. It was a wreck. I don't recall if they said how much WD-40 they used but I'm assuming a lot.

I don't see the need for it on a gun at all. It's not a rust preventive as it's a dry lubricant after the vehicle dries. It doesn't provide any boundary lubrication at all. It does not have any extreme pressure properties. Considering there are many oils formulated with guns as the target use, why use anything else. The biggest issue I see about gun lubrication is most have no clue when to use oil and when to use grease.

And for those using motor oil or ATF, the oil is not formulated to deal with free oxygen at all. Oxidation WILL happen and your nice pristine weapon is going to be a ball of corrosion one day. I've seen many guns that had value turned to crap because someone told them motor oil or ATF was the real deal. Your guns, your money, and no, I can't fix stupid.

[mr bolo]

Originally Posted by Robert20170

First and foremost is WD-40 is not a lubricant. It works very similar to a cleaner we used in the military called Naptha. It's great for getting old grease and grime out of areas, and I use it to clean things like chains, etc. You must use a proper lubricant after using it however. It's a great product, and is always in my garage. For cleaning guns it would work fantastic, but don't expect it to be a long lasting lubricant or rust protector.

I remember watching an old documentary about the Brown Water Navy in the Vietnam War, about the men who went out on PBR patrol boats and they showed one sailor cleaning his M60 MG with some type of light spray on the feed mechanism & linked ammo belt, it was probably something like WD40 or what the military uses "Naptha" ?

[LakeLifePA]

Originally Posted by mr bolo

I remember watching an old documentary about the Brown Water Navy in the Vietnam War, about the men who went out on PBR patrol boats and they showed one sailor cleaning his M60 MG with some type of light spray on the feed mechanism & linked ammo belt, it was probably something like WD40 or what the military uses "Naptha" ?

My guess would be Naptha.

[Mr. Lee]

My opinion is WD is not good to put on anywhere the primer might touch, I have seen rounds not fire when a person used WD to clean their firearms and it got on the primer.

[Patsfan20]

I use Ballistol as an all-in-one for my Glock 19.......works just fine. Kinda like the smell of it as well.

[Redraven]

Of course, one could always do a search for the MSDS for WD-40, and get the facts about what is in it.
But then, "facts" tend to destroy anecdotes. There is no fun in THAT!

[tws3b2]

I have 6 long guns. 2 bolt action, 1 lever action, 1 sxs shotgun and 1 single shot plus 1 revolver. All are at least 40 years old. I have used wd40 on them all since day 1. 1 auto hand gun about 5 years old that I use wd40 on. I do use oil on moving parts before shooting but after cleaning I wipe them down inside and out with wd40. All the bs about wd40 is just that "BS". You will find that most people that put out the bs have never really used it themselves. I have used for over 40 years. Never had to replace or repair any part or had any gun fail in anyway. Bluing still like new, no waxy build, no buildup, no varnish, no gun has ever burst into flames, And No rust, Inside or out. I wipe them down two times a year inside and out shot or not. Yes I have tried all the high $ brand name stuff but have never found anything that works near as good. Like I said. I have been using it for over 40 years on the same guns. No BS just first hand facts.

[gentlearts]

I don’t know about guns, but a man who repairs old clocks told me never to use it on clock works. I believe he said it was because the WD40 would attract dust that would gum up the works.

I suppose if you are using it on gun parts that you can reach and wipe off, that’s different.

[Threerun]

My God. Dredge up a cryptic post from yesteryear, lol.

Use solvent and oil. Nuff siad.