[Dave Jessee]

It was a nice day today and took out my fairly new Dan Wesson Vigil Commander out to my back yard range. After about 80 rounds I had a failure to return to battery. Slide was frozen to the frame. Back to the garage and after a couple of gentle taps with a nylon headed hammer the slide came off. There was some slight galling on the slide to frame fit (rails). A few swipes with a file removed some small burrs. No damage, mechanically or visually, done to the gun. This gun was very tight on the slide to frame fit and the barrel bushing fit.when I first got it and after 1K rounds is still tight.

This gun had been setting on a bed stand for many months and when I got the slide off I wasn't happy with the lube that was on it. (FP-10).

 

[Dwvalor]

Yup agreed I let some sit in the safe for longer than I would like and before a range trip I lock the slide back and use the lucas needle tip on the inside of rails , on barrel and close it and put some on the barrel hood and cycle it a few times before shooting it 👍

 

[Dave Jessee]

After this I am seriously considering going to grease for a lube. Like the Lubriplate 130-A I use on my M1A.

 

[CHS71]

When I buy a new hand gun I wipe the slide/frame rails clean as soon I get home. Then I apply lots of Weapon Shield oil from an oiler pen. I clean/reapply often after shooting my guns. I simply cannot remember a FTF.

 

[Les White]

Caspian can “treat” the rails and slide of the items they produce. I can’t remember what they call the process but it worked on the two Caspians I owned at the time. It was necessary on one as it locked up. Your experience is why I don’t trust an all stainless 1911.

 

[Doc45]

Well even before my first encounter with Uncle Les' 1911s swimming in Break Free I kept (and still do keep) all my semis well lubed with it lol.

 

[azguy1911]

I picked up a tip from a leading builder and that's to use grease cut with a few drops of oil. I'm delighted with the results. Even after a few months in the safe the gun is ready to be fired.

 

[PI Lawyer]

I picked up a tip from a leading builder and that's to use grease cut with a few drops of oil. I'm delighted with the results. Even after a few months in the safe the gun is ready to be fired.

That is what I normally do. Lucas Oil makes a marine grease that is much cheaper than their gun grease with no real difference.

 

[gunnie357]

Wilson combat Universal or Grease(thick oil) are the two I’ve been using most lately seems to do a good job and stays put plus it’s got a good applicator.

 

[Flawlessfoose]

I believe a engine breakin oil like royal purple has a bunch of added zinc which helps prevent galling. Might be worth to run 500rds with this type of oil on a stainless slide to frame gun.
I personally avoid stainless just because of this possibility. My only silver 1911 is hard chrome, it's beautiful. Chrome has its own issues, not related to function though.

 

[LEDetailing]

Thanks for the reminder. Coming from Glocks I need to remember to use more and reapply oil after continued months of inactivity. AR’s too

 

[LEDetailing]

That is what I normally do. Lucas Oil makes a marine grease that is much cheaper than their gun grease with no real difference.

Lucas saw the profit margin in a 2/4oz bottle of “gun” oil and capitalized. Thanks for the tip.
What oil do you use with their grease?

 

[PI Lawyer]

Lucas saw the profit margin in a 2/4oz bottle of “gun” oil and capitalized. Thanks for the tip.
What oil do you use with their grease?

Just standard Wilson Combat oil. I have amassed a huge quantity of it.

 

[rustyaa55]

Sacred cows are hard to kill.

But anybody that is interested. Bill Wison produced a small book on cleaning and maintainance of the 1911. The information can be applied to most any platform. Encourage all to get a copy. He specifies the only lubes he trusts.

Galling of stainless steel was encountered when stainless was first used. And not unique to firearms. Manufacturers first found they could avoid galling by using a different schedules (alloy) of stainless for the contacthng parts. Then they discovered that simply heat treating the parts differently accomplished the same.

One of the top custom barrel producers explained why the best barrels are stainless. Because stainless is superior. The grain structure is more consistant or homoginous.

Before retiring, i worked many years as a mechanical inspector for a major corporation. This knowledge was critical in the position. My personal Gunsmith and mentor told me that if he had his way all firearms would be made of stainless.
I trust those with superior knowledge and accomplishments. Have been shooting a vast array of stainless firearms for decades without issue.

Thanks for the post to remind how critical proper lube is.

 

[powwowell]

I have a small bottle, with a needle dispenser, of Mobil One 15w-50. Full synthetic, slicker than cat $hit on a linoleum floor. Does the job for me.

 

[hodge5]

Did you break it down and relube it before going to the range, or did you assume that it was still good after months of sitting?

 

[Illinois Sucks]

I used the Mil-Comm grease that came in a syringe, back when I owned a lot of Sigs, and Sig recommended it. Then one day, I left my console gun in the car overnight during a very cold IllAnnoys night, removed the slide and found strips and cakes of solid, crusty white crap on the rails and slide recesses. Never again. Doesn't freeze or gum, my tight white ... uhm ... socks. The thickest I'll go now is Gun Butter on the sliding parts, and FP-10, Lucas or M-Pro 7 on everything else. Besides, a little grit gets into the grease and what do you get? A lapping compound!

 

[Trencher]

Rookie question, but how often are you re-lubing your carry/home defense gun if it's carried/sits more than it get's shot?

 

[Dwvalor]

Rookie question, but how often are you re-lubing your carry/home defense gun if it's carried/sits more than it get's shot?

I take my nightstand gun to the range once every couple of weeks that is how often I would check and relube it if I wasn’t actively using it

 

[TheDK]

Rookie question, but how often are you re-lubing your carry/home defense gun if it's carried/sits more than it get's shot?

Bi weekly , and weekly in the summer months for me