Oiling your gun before shooting is an important part of firearm maintenance and safety. Proper lubrication helps ensure smooth functioning and prevents wear and tear over time. However, opinions differ on how often you need to oil a gun, what parts need lubrication, and what types of oils work best. This article will provide a detailed overview of oiling guns, when you should do it, what to oil, and tips for best practices. Read on to learn everything you need to know about oiling your firearm prior to shooting.
Should You Oil a Gun Before Shooting It?
Oiling a gun before shooting provides several important benefits:
- Lubricates moving parts – Oil reduces friction on metal-on-metal contact points like the slide, barrel, cylinder, pins, and springs. This allows parts to move smoothly and evenly.
- Prevents rust and corrosion – Firearms left unused can start to corrode or rust. A thin coat of oil protects metal components from moisture and oxidation.
- Cleans fouling and residue – Burned powder, lead, copper, and carbon buildup can accumulate in a firearm. Oil helps dissolve these deposits.
- Prolongs lifespan – Regular lubrication prevents wear that can damage surfaces over repeated firing. This extends the usable life of the gun.
- Improves reliability – Oiled actions cycle and function more reliably. Without lube, actions may start to stick or jam.
- Better accuracy – Smoother function from lubricated parts can provide more consistent accuracy.
While oiling is not strictly necessary before every single trip to the range, it is recommended for optimal performance and longevity of your firearms. Many manufacturers and firearm experts advise applying a fresh coat of oil if 3-6 months have passed since the last cleaning. Oiling your gun after long-term storage, before a competition, or after exposing it to sand, dust, or moisture is also a good idea.
What Gun Parts Should Be Oiled?
You do not need to oil every single component of your firearm, but there are certain key parts that benefit from lubrication:
1. Barrel
Oil makes cleaning the barrel faster and easier by helping dissolve lead and copper fouling. Use a bore-specific solvent and brush initially, then follow up with a pass oiled patch down the barrel to leave a light coat of protection.
2. Action
The cycling mechanism of rifles and handguns has many moving pieces that contact each other. Apply oil to the bolt, bolt carrier, slides, pins, bushings, and any other parts involved in feeding, extracting, or ejecting cartridges.
3. Springs
Springs like the recoil spring, magazine spring, firing pin spring, and extractor spring can be lubricated for smooth compression and decompression. Take care not to overload springs with thick oil.
4. Inner Frame
The frame channels that house firing components can benefit from oil. Put a few drops on contact surfaces between the slide and frame, hammer and sear engagement points, etc.
5. Outer Frame
Metal surfaces on the exterior of the frame help prevent rust. Wipe down slides, cylinders, and any other exposed steel with an oiled cloth. Avoid wood, polymer, and other non-metallic grip materials.
6. Trigger Assembly
The intricate mechanisms connecting the trigger to pins, sears, disconnectors, and hammers should get lubricated. Oil allows smooth trigger pull and reset.
7. Small Parts
Roll pins, screws, mag release buttons, safeties, hinge pins, and other small parts also need oil for smooth manipulation and to prevent seizing up over time.
What Types of Oils Should You Use?
Choosing the right oil ensures proper lubrication and protection:
Firearm-Specific Oils
Oils made specifically for guns offer ideal viscosity, friction-reduction, and anti-corrosion properties. Popular options include Rem Oil, Hoppe’s No. 9, Ballistol, and Break-Free CLP.
Machine Oils
Thin machine oils like sewing machine oil or 3-In-One oil can work well for firearms. They penetrate tight tolerances but may lack corrosion inhibitors.
Motor Oils
Thicker oils like 10W or 20W motor oil provide more coverage for heavy use, but can attract dirt and debris. Use sparingly on high-tolerance precision parts.
Household Oils
In a pinch, household oils like WD-40, coconut oil, olive oil, or mineral oil may function to lubricate a firearm action. But they lack the ideal properties of a dedicated gun oil.
Avoid Grease
While grease has its purposes on firearms, most experts recommend against using grease before shooting. It can attract particulate matter and make the action sticky. Use sparingly on non-critical components only.
Where Should You Apply Oil on a Gun?
Use the following best practices when oiling firearms:
- Read owner’s manuals – Follow the lubrication guidance provided by the manufacturer.
- Use proper cleaning tools – Brushes, bore snakes, cloths, swabs, and picks allow precise application.
- Prep surfaces – Remove grime, deposits, and old oil before applying fresh oil.
- Put drops on contact points – Let oil penetrate joints by capillary action.
- Rub on metal – Use an oiled cloth or patch to coat metal parts.
- Avoid sensitive areas – Keep oil away from optics, electronics, grips, and ammunition.
- Remove excess – Buff components to take off extra oil and prevent dripping or pooling.
- Test function – Cycle the action a few times and test the trigger to ensure smooth operation.
Applying oil properly prepares your firearm for reliable function while shooting. Letting oil set for 10-15 minutes allows it to fully penetrate crevices before wiping away any excess.
How Often Should You Oil a Gun?
Most experts recommend oiling firearms under the following general guidelines:
- Before extended storage – Coat with oil if storing a gun more than 1 month.
- Before range use – Apply fresh oil if it’s been more than 3-6 months since last use.
- After cleaning – Lubricate after deep scrubbing, solvent use, or barrel treatment.
- After harsh conditions – Oil after exposing firearm to rain, snow, dirt, sand etc.
- Before competitions – Ensure smooth function prior to matches.
- Per manufacturer specs – Some guns may need lubrication at shorter intervals.
While a thin coat of oil does not hurt, over-oiling can attract dirt. Find the ideal frequency for your usage patterns. Reapply oil anytime an unlubricated gun begins having function issues.
Tips for Oiling a Gun Before Shooting
Follow these tips for properly oiling firearms before use:
- Degrease and clean surfaces first – Remove old residue so fresh oil can penetrate.
- Use correct viscosity – Thin penetrating oils for precision parts, thicker for high wear.
- Read owner’s manual – Follow make/model-specific lube points.
- Apply to internals – Lube moving action components, springs, pins, sears.
- Metal on metal – Ensure slide/frame, barrel/cylinder, etc. interfaces have oil.
- Rub in and let set – Allow 10-15 minutes for oil to soak in before wiping away excess.
- Avoid over-oiling – Excess oil attracts contaminants.
- Function test – Cycle action and test trigger pull after oiling.
- Mostly metal – Limit oil on polymer, wood, optics, ammunition.
Proper lubrication before shooting keeps your firearm operating smoothly and prevents unnecessary wear and tear. Consider keeping a dedicated gun oil and application tools to maintain your collection.
Benefits of Oiling a Gun Before Shooting
Oiling firearms prior to use provides the following helpful benefits:
- Smooth function – Oil reduces friction allowing easy, consistent operation of the action.
- Increased reliability – Proper lubrication prevents malfunctions and stoppages.
- Improved accuracy – Less friction results in more precise ignition and consistent shot placement.
- Reduced wear – Oil separates sliding metal parts protecting surfaces from damage.
- Prevents corrosion – A thin oil film protects against moisture and oxidation.
- Better cleaning – Lubrication helps prevent fouling adhesion and makes scrubbing residue easier.
- Longer lifespan – Routine oiling extends the usable lifetime of firearms.
Taking a few minutes to lubricate your firearm before a day at the range will pay off with smooth shooting and less cleaning needed afterwards. Don’t neglect this simple but important maintenance step.
Potential Downsides of Oiling a Gun Before Shooting
While oiling firearms pre-shooting is generally recommended, there are some potential downsides to consider:
- Attracts debris – Excess oil can capture dust and dirt while shooting.
- Obscures issues – Lubrication can mask worn parts that need replacement.
- Runs and drips – Oil applied incorrectly may drip or run onto wood or optics.
- Complex process – Oiling takes time and uses supplies that cost money.
- Short term fix – Lubrication is temporary and will wear off over time.
- False sense of security – Proper cleaning still required even with fresh oil.
- Different needs – Not all guns require the same oiling procedures.
- Safety hazard – Oil on ammunition creates a fire risk.
While rare with proper application, be aware that over-oiling can sometimes create issues. Find the right balance for your specific firearm and usage patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does oiling a gun before storage prevent rust?
Yes, applying a protective coat of oil to firearms before storage helps prevent rust and corrosion. The oil blocks moisture from reaching the metal surfaces. Be sure to wipe down all exposed steel parts before any long-term storage.
2. Can you use WD-40 to oil a gun?
While WD-40 works in a pinch, it’s not ideal as a firearm lubricant. WD-40 is a solvent, not a true oil. It evaporates and leaves little residual protection. Use a dedicated gun oil for the best corrosion resistance and lubrication.
3. How often should you clean and oil a gun?
Most experts recommend deep cleaning ever 500-1000 rounds fired, or annually at minimum. Apply fresh oil every 3-6 months in between cleanings, after getting a gun wet, or if lubrication appears lacking. High-use range guns may need more frequent oiling.
4. What oil should be used on AR-15 rifles?
AR platforms generally operate best with lightweight synthetic oils or “mil-spec” CLP oils. These thin oils resist combustion residues while lubricating the intricate small parts in the AR bolt and carrier group.
5. Does oil go bad or expire in guns?
Yes, oil can oxidize and degrade over time, leading to gumming or lack of lubrication. Rotate your oil supplies to use within 1-2 years. Inspect oil bottles for sediment, cloudiness, or increased viscosity. Discard and replace if oil appears contaminated.
6. Do you need to oil modern polymer-framed pistols?
While metal-framed guns need extensive oiling, polymer pistols just require a few drops on the slide rails and barrel hood contact points. Avoid putting oil on the plastic frame to prevent grime buildup.
7. What oil do you recommend for lubricating triggers?
A very lightweight oil like sewing machine oil works best on finely fitted trigger parts. You only need a tiny amount on the trigger bar, disconnect, pins, and hinges. Too much oil may impede crisp trigger function.
Conclusion
Oiling firearms before shooting provides crucial lubrication and protection from wear and corrosion damage. Use proper gun-specific oils on exposed metal parts like barrels, slides, actions, springs and pins for smooth function and reliability. While over-oiling can cause issues, a thin application on key friction points makes shooting and cleaning much easier. Implement a pre-range lube as part of your gun maintenance routine. Feel confident your firearms are ready for safe, accurate, and enjoyable shooting.