What Is the Difference Between Gun Oil and Gun Cleaners?

If you are new to firearms, chances are you are not familiar with a gun cleaner or gun oil. The difference is a critical one that comes down to their roles in the maintenance process. Both of these chemicals are crucial to ensuring your firearm stays in top condition and is there when you need it.

Without proper maintenance, a firearm can suffer from fouling and rusting, resulting in a malfunction or worse. Without the appropriate use of both gun cleaners and gun oil, your firearm can suffer from corrosion that will drastically shorten its accuracy, reliability, and lifetime.

Unfortunately, many people that are new to firearm ownership may become quickly confused by the sheer number of cleaning and lubricating products available, which can make it almost impossible to tell the difference between the two products and their uses. So, let’s examine both of these products, their difference, and their role in the maintenance process.

A gun cleaner is a powerful solvent used to remove contaminants that build up inside the firearm, such as copper and carbon that is left behind from use, as well as grit and dust from the environment that may cause damage or failure to mechanical components. They generally are composed of powerful chemicals that must be applied cautiously to avoid damage to the skin and surrounding materials. Gun cleaner works hand in hand with solvent traps, preventing the cleaner from any leaks or spills.

There are several advantages to using a gun cleaner including:

A gun cleaner should be used whenever your firearm builds up grime from significant use or at least twice a year, even if left unused.

There are a few steps you’ll need to take when cleaning your gun, which are described below.

Gun oil is made up of a petroleum-based lubricant that has been highly refined. It also has a higher purity level than many other oils. Additionally, it contains additives that will help keep your gun’s metal parts from rusting or corroding.

The best time to lubricate a firearm is after you clean it. If you lubricate your gun without cleaning it first, your gun will eventually build up a greasy residue which will cause it to attract more dirt. This will ultimately cause your gun’s performance to decline. Also, be sure to lightly wipe the metal surfaces of your firearm with lubricating oil before storing it.

One important thing to remember is that you don’t need a lot of gun oil; a little will work just as well. Just place a little bit of gun oil on the moving components of the action and then wipe it until just a thin layer is left. Then, look for any worn areas on the bare surfaces and apply oil to these areas.

Next, take a lubricating wipe and gently wipe all the outer metal surfaces of the gun. This will protect the surfaces whether stored or used. Although if you plan on storing your gun for an extended period of time, you should also lubricate the gun bore. To do this, take a small patch of cotton and place it on the end of a cleaning rod. Then, apply some gun oil and lubricate the gun bore. Make sure you have left a thin coat of lubricant on the gun bore. Then, before you use the gun again, use some dry patches to remove the oil.

There are some benefits to using gun oil, and we will discuss some of these below.

A common question firearm owners ask when they are first learning to maintain their piece is, what’s the difference between gun oil and gun grease. The answer is that essentially they have different viscosity. Gun oil is highly viscous and moves with the firearm’s operation, whereas grease has a low density and moves little with the firearm’s operation.

Both of these lubricants have a place in any maintenance routine. Oil is great for parts of the firearm where mechanical parts operate as it does not attract contaminants as quickly, and it is less prone to causing parts to jam with regular cleaning.

On the other hand, grease is excellent for parts that slide against one another because it will stay in place to reduce friction and wear longer than oil would. Grease has a habit of attracting every contaminant you could imagine and collecting it until your next cleaning. Fortunately, as long as you ensure a regular cleaning routine, the risk drops, and the reduction in wear is definitely worth learning to use this product.

The difference between gun oil and a gun cleaner can confuse beginners with the number of products on the market. However, both of these products are critical for the life and dependability of your firearm. Now that you know the difference try to ensure you use both in your regular maintenance routine.