WD-40 for maintenance? - Page 3

Rcher · February 12th, 2009, 08:52 PM

Back 30 yrs ago or so, there were'nt very many lubricants around that was in an aerosol form, WD-40 was fairly new to the market and we used it for guns all the time. IIRC, WD stands for "Water Displacer", hence the name. I remember using WD-40 on my waterfoul shotguns after hunting and it did very well for removing the debris from the barrel and action and also displaced any water that got into it from rain and just being in the duck swamp. I also remember on cold days, my Rem 870 got real sluggish in operation and never knew why. It wasnt until several years later that I started using Break-Free w/CLP and I never had another malfunction in cold weather. Hmmm, must be a pattern here? Maybe it was the WD-40? Yes, it was. WD-40 is mainly a solvent but leaves a low viscosity oil film on the surface. This also attracts dirt and dust which eventually turns to "gunk" or "grime" and makes things worse in cold weather. WD-40 is a great "all purpose" solvent / oil for many things around the house, farm or shop ... but, do I completely trust it for my valued firearms? ... no, not anymore. Not with the many specifically formulated lubricants designed for firearms.

WD-40 has its place in the world but I think there are many better products out there for my firearms. Is it better than nothing? ... yes. Do I use it? ... nope, not for my guns.

YMMV

JimH58 · February 13th, 2009, 09:56 AM

I was advised against using WD-40 for guns by several people who have used it on a variety of weapons. Generally I clean my handguns and rifles then lub them with Militec-1 which has been great especially on the semi-autos.

rednecksport · February 13th, 2009, 06:03 PM

I used to use WD on my guns when I was younger untill my trusty Rem 700 failed to fire, Took it to the Gun Smith, Guess what his First Question was, "Do u clean it with WD-40? Then Theres your Problem" he took the bolt apart, cleaned it up gave it back and begged me to never clean a gun with it again and I havent.And won't

Colin · February 13th, 2009, 06:35 PM

I have heard people tell me of this build up problem, but in all my years have never seen any buildup, but then I also wipe the gun down and then reoil with proper lube.

TapRackBang · February 13th, 2009, 10:43 PM

I couldn't imagine with all the good products out there that are designed for firearms why would someone spray their firearm with WD???

I guess my answer is not only no but.......no

Tom G · February 13th, 2009, 10:59 PM

WD40 is good for water displacement. I've worked in the restaurant repair business for years and the customers would use it on machinery. WD40 would gum up the machinery to the point that it could not be used. Do not use it on your guns.

ExSoldier · February 17th, 2009, 07:20 AM

After reading the replies to this thread I saw none that duplicate this answer so here's the input from your friendly neighborhood firearms instructor as to why you should NEVER use WD-40:

It is a penetrant. Which is to say that contact with the chemical to your AMMO may result in faulty primers so that you experience misfires and you can't tell by looking at them if the ammo has been contaminated! How bad a tragedy would it be if you were using the gun in a self defense situation and your ammo failed because of your choice of cleaning materials? My advice is to stay with products designed by and for use in the firearms maintenance arena.

jcrim007 · March 20th, 2009, 02:50 PM

i just picked up a glock 19 the other day, used, and it was pretty dirty. one of the things it had on it was the grip-tape handle tape. i did not want them on there, so i peeled them off. they left behind an awful mess, so i used WD-40 to clean up the sticky stuff. it worked so well, that i used the WD-40 on the rest of the gun to clean it up. since it was so dirty, and i did not want to waste my good gun oil. after cleaning with the WD-40, i had no issues with it being sticky, and it worked well. i DID apply gun specific oil afterwards to the rails and slide, etc... but i think the WD-40 did a real good job for the hard cleanup.

Tom G · March 20th, 2009, 06:19 PM

I have a g 19 and WD40 is a good cleaner for the sticky stuff but it is not a lubricant. If your gun gets real wet it is a good product for displacing water.

ExSoldier · March 21st, 2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcrim007

worked so well, that i used the WD-40 on the rest of the gun to clean it up. since it was so dirty, and i did not want to waste my good gun oil. after cleaning with the WD-40, i had no issues with it being sticky, and it worked well. i DID apply gun specific oil afterwards to the rails and slide, etc... but i think the WD-40 did a real good job for the hard cleanup.

Yeah.... BUT. The chemicals in the WD-40 are still present and can still penetrate primers if they come into such contact. Since a Glock is primarily used to protect life and limb I'd want to be 10000% certain of the reliability under any possible circumstances. If this isn't the case with you, I'd suggest a move to Las Vegas, you've missed your calling. What I'm saying is: Okay use the WD-40 is you must. But then use GUN SCRUBBER to remove all chemicals so the metal will dry quickly and be DEVOID of anything not specifically designed for use with firearms. Then re-lubricate with approved products.

February 12th, 2009, 08:52 PM	#21
Rcher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Montana (resident) Utah (currently) Posts: 1,092	Back 30 yrs ago or so, there were'nt very many lubricants around that was in an aerosol form, WD-40 was fairly new to the market and we used it for guns all the time. IIRC, WD stands for "Water Displacer", hence the name. I remember using WD-40 on my waterfoul shotguns after hunting and it did very well for removing the debris from the barrel and action and also displaced any water that got into it from rain and just being in the duck swamp. I also remember on cold days, my Rem 870 got real sluggish in operation and never knew why. It wasnt until several years later that I started using Break-Free w/CLP and I never had another malfunction in cold weather. Hmmm, must be a pattern here? Maybe it was the WD-40? Yes, it was. WD-40 is mainly a solvent but leaves a low viscosity oil film on the surface. This also attracts dirt and dust which eventually turns to "gunk" or "grime" and makes things worse in cold weather. WD-40 is a great "all purpose" solvent / oil for many things around the house, farm or shop ... but, do I completely trust it for my valued firearms? ... no, not anymore. Not with the many specifically formulated lubricants designed for firearms. WD-40 has its place in the world but I think there are many better products out there for my firearms. Is it better than nothing? ... yes. Do I use it? ... nope, not for my guns. YMMV __________________ >>----> Keep it Concealed: *"The Element of Surprise is Far Superior than the Target of Fate".*

February 13th, 2009, 09:56 AM	#22
JimH58 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Kentucky Posts: 300	I was advised against using WD-40 for guns by several people who have used it on a variety of weapons. Generally I clean my handguns and rifles then lub them with Militec-1 which has been great especially on the semi-autos. __________________ JimH Kentucky ****************************** S&W 442, Bersa 380, S&W 9mm M&P, Springfield XD40c ****************************** Member: NRA, USCCA

February 13th, 2009, 06:03 PM	#23
rednecksport Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: n.c. Posts: 74	I used to use WD on my guns when I was younger untill my trusty Rem 700 failed to fire, Took it to the Gun Smith, Guess what his First Question was, "Do u clean it with WD-40? Then Theres your Problem" he took the bolt apart, cleaned it up gave it back and begged me to never clean a gun with it again and I havent.And won't __________________ Well You Boys Gonna Pull Them Pistols, Or Whistle Dixie.

February 13th, 2009, 10:43 PM	#25
TapRackBang Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 208	I couldn't imagine with all the good products out there that are designed for firearms why would someone spray their firearm with WD??? I guess my answer is not only no but.......no __________________ "Arms in the hands of individual citizens may be used at individual discretion..in private self defense." John Adams

February 17th, 2009, 07:20 AM	#27
ExSoldier VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coral Gables, FL Posts: 4,853	After reading the replies to this thread I saw none that duplicate this answer so here's the input from your friendly neighborhood firearms instructor as to why you should NEVER use WD-40: It is a penetrant. Which is to say that contact with the chemical to your AMMO may result in faulty primers so that you experience misfires and you can't tell by looking at them if the ammo has been contaminated! How bad a tragedy would it be if you were using the gun in a self defense situation and your ammo failed because of your choice of cleaning materials? My advice is to stay with products designed by and for use in the firearms maintenance arena. __________________ Former Infantry Captain; 20 yrs as an NRA Certified Instructor; Avid practitioner of the martial art: KLIK-PAO.

February 13th, 2009, 06:35 PM	#24
Colin Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,659	I have heard people tell me of this build up problem, but in all my years have never seen any buildup, but then I also wipe the gun down and then reoil with proper lube.

February 13th, 2009, 10:59 PM	#26
Tom G VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,049	WD40 is good for water displacement. I've worked in the restaurant repair business for years and the customers would use it on machinery. WD40 would gum up the machinery to the point that it could not be used. Do not use it on your guns.

March 20th, 2009, 02:50 PM	#28
jcrim007 New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 4	i just picked up a glock 19 the other day, used, and it was pretty dirty. one of the things it had on it was the grip-tape handle tape. i did not want them on there, so i peeled them off. they left behind an awful mess, so i used WD-40 to clean up the sticky stuff. it worked so well, that i used the WD-40 on the rest of the gun to clean it up. since it was so dirty, and i did not want to waste my good gun oil. after cleaning with the WD-40, i had no issues with it being sticky, and it worked well. i DID apply gun specific oil afterwards to the rails and slide, etc... but i think the WD-40 did a real good job for the hard cleanup.

March 20th, 2009, 06:19 PM	#29
Tom G VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,049	I have a g 19 and WD40 is a good cleaner for the sticky stuff but it is not a lubricant. If your gun gets real wet it is a good product for displacing water.

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