WD-40 as a gun cleaning tool

[OneLungMcClung]

Allright, let's hear it: A buddy of mine uses WD-40 as part of his weapons cleaning routine. He likes that it penetrates the bolt group and other hard to reach spaces. I like it too.....but I don't know if it is a good idea.

So what do you all think? Is WD-40 a good way to lube a hard-to-reach area or is it a real bad idea????

[PisnNapalm]

My wife's uncle uses it to clean any metal parts on his guns. He says not to use it as a lubricant though. It evaporates. He says to clean the gun. Let it sit an hour or 2, then reassemble and lube as required.

[ithinkimamedic]

WD40 is a Penetrating oil, not a gun oil.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penetrating_oil <-- penetrating oil

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40 <-- WD40

While it seems to initally work well, as previously stated it will evaporate though not completely, it will leave a film which can become sticky. if you use WD40 to help you clean up you still need some Lube in there. WD40 is handy if you are shooting corrosive ammunition and you have to use HOT water to flush out the gun, use WD40 after it to eliminate as much H20 as possible then Lube away!

I use a CLP (clean, lubricate, protect on some of my guns, others get the straight lubricating oil.

http://www.triplebreakproducts.com/B.../breakfree.htm

YMMV but I would not use the WD40 unless I had to (corrosive ammunition)

Cheers,
josh

[Lougotzz]

I use WD40 for about 20 years on my guns have no problem. I do lube after I clean and I do use hoppes as well. I use it to flush out dirty actions. I do dry it. It can leave a film and some people say it gets gummy. I have not had this issue. Maybe cause I am drying it.


ETA people on ARFCOM use break claener to clean their AR 15. They say it gets the carbon out. If a gummy residue builds up from WD40 I would imagine the break cleaner can clean it and you can start over.

[Xringshooter]

WD40 is a water displacement formula. There is a history that shows how the inventors got to formula #40 (thus WD40). Its great for silencing squeeky hinges, etc. and I have known several people that have never used anything else to lube their guns. I would not. Do I have some at home, yes, but I use it for stuff around the house, not on my guns. If I need to break a bolt or nut loose there are better products for that endeavor. There are a lot of better products geared strickly to firearm cleaning and lubrication. Yes, brake cleaner works great on AR's. Works on other stuff also but be careful around synthetic stocks, it could blemish them.

Gun cleaning materials are getting very specialized. You can get stuff just to remove the copper fouling in the bore, you can get stuff just to clean the lead from the bore and revolver chambers, you can get stuff just to clean carbon from AR's. IMO the days of JUST using Hoppe's #9 is over (although I still use it to finish cleaning after using the specialized stuff).

[deth502]

i agree, i CLEAN w/ wd40, but i oil w/ clp brfoer i re-assemble.

prob not as good as the other comercial bore cleaners, but its cheap and usualy handy.

[TonyF]

CLP is probably the best general purpose cleaner, lubricant and protectant.

Slip 2000 has been very well received in many circles.

http://www.slip2000.com/home.html

There are better products on the market today.

[CZJedi]

If you must use WD-40, here are two things to keep in mind:
1) After using it to clean, wipe the excess away and use a real gun lube,
2) That sticky stuff that can be left behind is actually caused by the chemicals used in the spray can; if you can get it in a bottle (sometimes you can find a gallon tub) or pump/trigger spray bottle, you can avoid those chemicals.

Or... just avoid it all together and use Gunzilla.

[mauser]

I'll use WD-40 first if moisture is an issue or for a quick wipe to hold me over until I can do a proper cleaning. I prefer Remoil or BreakfreeCLP for guns, penetrating oil (Kroil) for loosening rusted or seized parts and lubricant specifically designed for a particular application for lubrication applications. WD-40 is OK for a quick fill-in for all around use, but it isn't what I go for when I have a specific task that I want to do properly.
I ain't against it, but it isn't my preference in most cases.
That's my 2¢.