Bolt Lubrication

[JAS-SH]

Hi All,

Just a heads up in case any of you ever need this. One of my bolt guns action was made by Defiance Machine. The bolt is beautifully polished but if you read the fine print it is steel in the white, not stainless, being in the white means no oxide coating or anything, so it needs to be lubricated all over to protect the finish from corrosion.

I had been using a light coat of Mil-Comm TW25B grease - a great product which I use on all the lugs on bolts. Problem is that sand and dust sticks to it especially when out on windy days.

I was buying stuff a month ago and saw a WD40 Dry Lubricant on Amazon. So, I bought it to test it on all my bolt guns. So far it's been great. I still use the grease on the lugs but use the dry lube on the rest. Bolts run super smooth slick. It's a volatile, evaporating spray - just spray it, let it sit for a bit then lightly wipe the excess off (if any) and it leaves the dry lubricant behind - so far no sand or other shit is sticking to the bolts like it used to. And no corrosion... Here's what it looks like:

 

[acudaowner]

we have used wd40 going on 30 years on our guns and have had zero problems just can't over do it like with almost everything . it reminds me of using clr it's cheaper than gun related products and really works well . you just have to watch it so not to damage anything .

 

[ma smith]

I cannot believe anybody actually sells a chromoly "in the white" bolt or receiver to the public...

 

[b6graham]

I cannot believe anybody actually sells a chromoly "in the white" bolt or receiver to the public...

how you gonna upcharge for nitride/dlc then?

 

[308pirate]

we have used wd40 going on 30 years on our guns and have had zero problems just can't over do it like with almost everything . it reminds me of using clr it's cheaper than gun related products and really works well . you just have to watch it so not to damage anything .

The stuff in the op isn't what you're talking about.

 

[308pirate]

Hi All,

Just a heads up in case any of you ever need this. One of my bolt guns action was made by Defiance Machine. The bolt is beautifully polished but if you read the fine print it is steel in the white, not stainless, being in the white means no oxide coating or anything, so it needs to be lubricated all over to protect the finish from corrosion.

I had been using a light coat of Mil-Comm TW25B grease - a great product which I use on all the lugs on bolts. Problem is that sand and dust sticks to it especially when out on windy days.

I was buying stuff a month ago and saw a WD40 Dry Lubricant on Amazon. So, I bought it to test it on all my bolt guns. So far it's been great. I still use the grease on the lugs but use the dry lube on the rest. Bolts run super smooth slick. It's a volatile, evaporating spray - just spray it, let it sit for a bit then lightly wipe the excess off (if any) and it leaves the dry lubricant behind - so far no sand or other shit is sticking to the bolts like it used to. And no corrosion... Here's what it looks like:

That shit and the WD40 Specialist penetrating oil are awesome for gun care. The penetrating oil makes a great cleaner and light lube.

 

[JAS-SH]

That shit and the WD40 Specialist penetrating oil are awesome for gun care. The penetrating oil makes a great cleaner and light lube.

Agreed. I've been using WD-40 products for over 40-years. Some will even remove rust from chrome. Had never used the dry lube before, didn't know they carried it. All I have to do after I shoot is wipe the bolt with a clean rag (nothing sticks) and reapply - done!

It should work great on my duck guns too. I had one fail on me a long time ago in -5 degrees F. where the gun oil froze and the lockup was so bad it sheared the bolt rails.

Here's the description on their website - PTFE = Teflon - of course....

"WD-40 Specialist® Dry Lube with PTFE is a dry lubricant that keeps your equipment running smoothly with long-lasting corrosion protection that does not attract dirt, dust, or oil. It provides superior lubrication and long-lasting corrosion protection with no oily residue. Best used where cleanliness and maximum performance are required as it dries quick leaving behind a lubricating film that resists dirt, dust and oil buildups. Great for reducing friction and wear on blades and bits, door and window tracks, slides, conveyor belts, rollers, hinges, table saws, lathes, power tools and equipment. Effective in temperatures ranging from -50°F to 500°F."

 

[JAS-SH]

I cannot believe anybody actually sells a chromoly "in the white" bolt or receiver to the public...

All centerfire bolts I know of are variations of Chrome-Molybdenum High Tensile Steel. It's a strength issue.

Most current manufacturers apply some kind of oxide coating to their bolts -adding corrosion protection and some lubricity. That said I used to own a Remington 700 BDL that had the middle part of the bolt engine-turned. That is still common today but not as much. That portion of the bolt was "in the white". And it would rust if not carefully maintained. Except for the bolt Defiance Machine actions are of a 416 Stainless variety.

 

[ma smith]

All centerfire bolts I know of are variations of Chrome-Molybdenum High Tensile Steel. It's a strength issue.

Most current manufacturers apply an some kind of oxide coating to their bolts -adding corrosion protection and some lubricity. That said I used to own a Remington 700 BDL that had the middle part of the bolt engine-turned. That is still common today but not as much. That portion of the bolt was "in the white". And it would rust if not carefully maintained. Except for the bolt Defiance Machine actions are of a 416 Stainless variety.

Yeah, i seem to recall alot of shiny silver bolt bodies from back in the day.

 

[RFutch]

how you gonna upcharge for nitride/dlc then?

Yet another reason not to buy a Defiance.