1911 Oiling - To Much - Not Enough - (pics)

[TheShadow]

A question for the 1911 guys...

I know 1911's like to run wet but how much is to much?

I just cleaned my 1911 after 30 rounds oiled it and snapped a few pics.

This pistol is a little over 900 flawless rounds.

Opinions please... to much or not enough... just right?

(I know many run grease on the rails but this question is about oil)

Thanks

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[joleary223]

Looks good to me but I'm no expert.
I use a few drops of grease on the rails and any other contact area and wipe off any excess.
I found this on youtube awhile back, it helped me. YouTube - How To Lube An Auto Pistol

[bsnow]

Well if it's running good that's a good thing. I don't know, my eyes aren't the best, but it looks like it may be a bit too much on your gun. My KIMBER I just use an oil wet not soaked patch in these areas you show with arrows and leave no excess dripping or seeping, just a light film. I clean after a session of about the 250 to 300 round range. That may be too much for some but it works for me, never a problem with my KIMBER PRO ECLIPCE.
By the the way nice gun you have there, very nice! Hope that helps..

[OldVet]

I know what a 1911 looks like, but that does seem like a lot of oil and a definite dirt and gunk attractor.

I only shot one once. Didn't get oil-splattered. What can I say?

[Elk Hunter]

That is more oil than I use, I may put that much on, but you cannot see the oil after I wipe it down. With that much oil you will find your holster and clothes getting oily. I do not want to start a war over grease vs oil, but I use a little grease and wipe it down, the grease stays where I put it oil seems to run.

I use grease on the barrel and slide and a few small drops of oil for those places you do want the oil to seep into.

To answer the question, I say too much.

By the way, I notice the hammer is down, for normal field stripping and cleaning the hammer would be cocked. Is there a reason the hammer is down?

Semper Fi

[TheShadow]

Is there a reason the hammer is down?

Yes I ease the hammer down to get a drop of oil where the hammer pivots on the pin (pic 5)

[Bark'n]

It's hard to tell merely with those pictures. Maybe a bit too much. Definitely not too little. If you are not having any stoppages then good.

You may try using a little less oil, and then check for wear on parts over a prolonged period of time.

Also a little grease on the rails, locking lugs, top of barrel instead of oil and you won't get the migration of oil working it's way to the outside surfaces of the gun.

[auburn4]

That is a "nice" firearm. That said, What is enough? New, SS slide, you got to load it up to prevent gualing of slide and rails. If it finishes up cycling like a well tuned piece of precision equipment, you done it right. I have been to the range with some fellows and we look like we had measles.

[SARR001]

Looks fine to me. It is going to attract some dust, but for me that is much better than galling the frame and slide.

[BlueLion]

From what I can see too much oil. My ccw has been a 1911 full size for many years. No pistol deserves to be treated like salad tong....lol. Nice pistol, just cut back on the oil.

[TheShadow]

No pistol deserves to be treated like salad tong....lol.

It's Weapon Shield & Vinegar

[earlthegoat2]

I guess I would call it too much as well.

Sometimes though there is a bare minimum that your application method will only let you dispense.

[dukalmighty]

I use Gunzilla for cleaning and use a q-tip with grease on slide rails and barrel lockup.

[QKShooter]

It depends on the individual 1911. Some will run just fine bone dry & others need to be good & wet & even need a good slippery lo-friction grease on the rails.

[OD*]

Another way to look at it, you can't over oil a 1911. Any excess oil will be displaced as soon as you fire the weapon, and the remaining will be just enough.