WD 40 on guns ?

[steelerfan]

I'm having an ongoing debate with a buddy of mine,he uses WD-40 on his guns,a semi-auto pistol & an autoloader shotgun both of which he's had for less than a year. I've been taught all my life to only use gun oil as a lubricant,but he says he's always been taught WD-40 is the way to go,although since he's never owned a gun before I don't know where he's heard this. All my owners' manuals state to use a quality gun oil.
Any opinions on this ? Since he's only had his guns a very short time & I'd hate to see him mess them up because of course I'd have to say "I told you so",haha

[WVBob]

WD40 is good as a cleaner but not as a lube. Ill. state police used it on all firearms and had a lot of trouble with jamming. Because WD40 has a water base and it will dry out and cause jams. It's a good, not the best, cleaner but then you need the oil.

Side note. 3-in-1 oil is not good for guns. It can leave a build up.

[P89]

This should provide enough info for you.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=1..._Preventatives

I don't use WD-40 and have bought guns dirt cheap because someone did and gummed up the internal workings.

[CBennett]

It works fine though I dont use it except to clean and then only if im out of my "regular" stuff..

[DucatiRon]

Keep the WD away. Heat will dry it out and cause it to gum up the works. Been there done that. A good quality oil is the only way to go.

[Irwin Inhabitant]

I will sometimes use WD40 only as a pre-cleaner, or to spray down a gun if it got wet. Never rely on it for a lube. Also, I understand it is really bad for ammo, so never use it on magazines.

[Little Cloud]

WD-40 gets gummy over time and is a royal pain in the arse to remove when gummed up.

WD-40 is a real bad choice for firearms.

Motor oil works wonders ... and there are plenty of degreasers commercially available.

Heck, ever try Ed's Red?

I use Ed's Red w/out the acetone and it works much better than any gun-related lube I have tried.

Not too long ago, I was talking to another enthusiast who uses Ed's Red as well.

He kept his batch in a .50 cal ammo can ... minus the acetone, of course.

WD-40 ...? Run, dont walk.

[OwnTheRide]

WD40 is good as a cleaner but not as a lube. Ill. state police used it on all firearms and had a lot of trouble with jamming. Because WD40 has a water base and it will dry out and cause jams. It's a good, not the best, cleaner but then you need the oil.

Side note. 3-in-1 oil is not good for guns. It can leave a build up.

WD-40 is not water based, it is oil based. WD-40 stands for "Water Displacement - 40th Attempt." Its primary function is to displace water.

The problem with using WD-40 on guns is that it is a penetrating oil. You don't want to use a penetrating oil on a gun, you want to use non-penetrating solvents and oil like the one Hoppes makes.

[steelerfan]

Well that sounds unanimous ! I'm gonna have to get a straight answer out of him where he "heard that all his life" even though he's never owned a firearm before this year. He just keeps saying well that's what he's always heard & been taught. Unfortunately he's one of those that is ALWAYS right & usually won't give in even when you show him something in print,which I have done before but his come back is "that guy just wants you to buy the stuff he carries cause he doesn't make any money if you go out & buy WD-40".
It's like banging your head against a wall.
I don't suppose any of you guys know anyone like that....right ??? LOL

[steelerfan]

I copy & pasted all your responses & emailed them to him,though I already know his reply,haha