The article “Best AR-15 Lube” from May 9, 2022, by Victor Spratt, emphasizes the crucial role of regular cleaning and lubrication in maintaining the optimal performance and safety of AR15 rifles. The guide acknowledges that a poorly maintained rifle can accumulate dirt and fouling, leading to clogging, reduced accuracy, malfunctions, and potentially irreversible damage due to rust. The article advises against unconventional lubrication methods like using pig fat, highlighting the availability of better commercial options.
To assist readers, the article presents a well-researched list of the top 5 lubricants for AR15s based on user feedback. This includes products like HOPPE’S 1003G No.9, known for its protective qualities against moisture and corrosion, and its ability to reduce wear and tear. Other products on the list are Ballistol 120014, Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP, Prom 07-1453 M-Pro 7 LPX, and Sage & Braker CLP. Each product is described with its main features, advantages, and potential drawbacks, helping readers make an informed decision based on their specific needs. This guide serves as a valuable resource for AR15 owners seeking effective and reliable lubrication solutions.
Some rifle owners use weird lubes like pig fat to lubricate their rifle and they do claim that it works. That is not something we would suggest to do given that there are many commercial lube options for an AR15 available.
Using pig fat is a cheap way to clean a rifle, but it’s not a lube. It’s alright to be cheap, but not that cheap.
That being said, selecting a lube for your AR15 is not an easy task. There are many products out there, each claiming they are the best, but that is not always the case.
So what we have done is come up with a list of 5 of the best lube for AR15 based on our research and user feedback. It’s a short list, but it will help you get started.
Top Pick
HOPPE’S 1003G No.9
- Protection Against Moisture & Corrosion
- Reducing Wear & Tear
- Great On Fishing Reels
Lubes for AR15 Comparison Chart
| Photo | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOPPE'S 1003G No.9 | Content: 2.25 fl oz Non-toxic: Yes | Check Price |
| Ballistol 120014 | Content: 1.5 fl oz Non-toxic: Yes | Check Price |
| Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP | Content: 4 fl oz Non-toxic: Yes | Check Price |
| Prom 07-1453 M-Pro 7 LPX | Content: 4 fl oz Non-toxic: Yes | Check Price |
| Sage & Braker CLP | Content: 4 fl oz Non-toxic: Yes | Check Price |
5 Best Lubes for AR15 (as of April, 2024):
1. HOPPE’S 1003G No.9 Lube For AR15 Review
Hoppes’s 1003G no. 9 lube has been in the market for years.
And it’s one of the most affordable and high-quality lubes out there.
The oil comes in a small orange bottle that does not look like much.
But while it may not stand out, it is quite popular with gun and rifle owners.
The reason why the lube is a favorite for many gun owners is because it protects guns and rifles from corrosion and water damage. And it does what a quality gun lubes does – keeping the moving parts of your gun friction-free thereby reducing wear and tear.
The lube contains a synthetic blend of powerful ingredients that are safe and environmentally friendly. And this mix not only does it do a good at lubricating a rifle, but it also removes lead, copper and carbon fouling.
It can be used on several types of materials including steel, aluminum, chrome, polycarbonate, and nickel. And it smells great.
Another thing is that you can use this lube to lubricate other types of rifles as well as fishing reels, house doors, car doors, and locks.
The lube is light and it works quickly. You don’t need to do much scrubbing to get rid of residue and dirt once you apply the lube. So overall, this is a great product especially if you are on a budget.
Main Features
- 100% For The Toughest Situations & Environments
- Especially Designed For The Modern Firearm
- Protection Against Moisture & Corrosion
- Superior Lubrication & Protection to All Areas of Firearm
- Reducing Wear & Tear Caused by Friction
- Great On Fishing Reels & Other Mechanisms
- Made in the USA
Pros:
- It is affordable
- It is extremely light
- Contains a synthetic blend of ingredients that easily removes dirt and fouling
- It can be used on several different types of rifles
- It’s multipurpose
- It prevents corrosion
- It reduces wear and tear
Cons:
- Some users don’t like the synthetic blend
2. Ballistol 120014 Lube For AR15 Review
Ballistol has been producing gun lubes since 1904, and this particular product is great for cleaning and lubing your AR15.
Ballistol 120014 also labeled as multipurpose, and you can use it to lube other metal-hinge mechanisms.
You can also use it to protect and preserve other materials other than metal like plastic, rubber, leather, and wood.
So it’s pretty versatile cleaner and quite handy because you can use it to lubricate knives, car doors as well as preserve different materials.
The Ballistol aerosol lubricant contains biodegradable ingredients.
So if you are looking for a lube that is not harmful to your health and the environment, this product would be an ideal choice. You may also want to know that it’s non-carcinogenic.
It is easy to use since it’s applied by spraying it on a surface. So if you don’t want to spend a lot of time brushing or scrubbing the inside parts of your gun, this would be the ideal lube to use.
And it’s also great for gun owners who don’t like dealing with the messiness of oil and grease.
The lube protects your rifle from corrosion and dirt buildup. It also helps lubricate your rifle to prevent jamming and to keep all the moving parts working well. You can also use it to protect other materials like leather, wood, and plastic as well as wet surfaces.
It’s not sticky and it does not increase friction. You can also use it to polish silverware and brassware.
So on the whole, the Ballistol aerosol lubricant is truly a versatile lube that does a tremendous job of protecting and preserving metal and other materials. As well as keeping your rifle well lubricated and in excellent condition.
Main Features
- Cleans, Lubricates & Protects
- Multi-Purpose: Metal, Wood, Leather, Rubber & Plastics
- Perfect for Lubricating & Protecting Firearms
- Perfect for Lubricating & Cleaning Tools, Knives & Marine Parts
- Slightly Alkaline in Nature
- Neutralizes the Effect of Sweat & Skin Oils
- Environmentally Friendly
- Non-Carcinogenic
- Aerosol Can
Pros:
- Uses biodegradable materials that are harmless to your health and the environment
- It is skin safe
- It a great lubricant for your firearms
- It helps protect metal, rubber, leather, and plastic
- It helps protect wet surfaces
- It is easy to use
- It is not sticky or thick
- It can be used to polish brassware and silverware
Cons:
- It does not do a job are removing copper reside
- It doesn’t smell great
3. Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP Lube For AR15 Review
What’s so great about the Grizzly Grease Non-Toxic CLP is that its both a cleaning agent and a lubricant.
So you don’t need to buy a cleaner separately to clean your gun if you have this lube.
Now, Grizzly Grease is an American made product that is made of biodegradable materials that are non-toxic and effective at cleaning dirt and gunk.
It safe to use because the company has made sure that the materials used to make the lube are not harmful to your health or the environment.
So if you have sensitive skin, this would be one of the best gun lubes to use. You don’t even need to wear gloves when using this product, that just how safe it is.
Grizzly Grease does a great job of cleaning dirt, copper, and lead buildups. It also protects your AR15 from rust and corrosion. Aside from that, it does a great job as a lubricant by preventing friction that may cause wear and tear.
This lube is designed to work in any temperature. Some users have claimed that it works well in scorching temperatures. We are not sure about that, but it does add to how well the lube works.
Main Features
- All-in-One Gun Cleaner, Lubricant, Protectant
- Prevents Corrosion & Rust
- Reduces Wear & Tear
- Protects Rifle From Jamming
- Works in any Temperature
- Non-Toxic
- USDA Certified Bio-Based Ingredients
- Meets/Exceeds MIL-SPEC Technical Standards
- Leak-Proof Container
Pros:
- It is skin safe
- It is made of non-toxic biodegradable materials
- It is a great lubricant that protects your rifle from jamming
- It’s an excellent dirt and fouling cleaner
- Protects your rifle from rust and corrosion
- Reduces wear and tear caused by friction
- Works well in any temperature
- It works quickly
- It is affordable
Cons:
- Some users may find the smell unpleasant
4. Prom 070-1453 M-Pro 7 Review
The next product on our list is the yet another Hoppe’s product, the Prom 070-1453 M-Pro 7 LPX gun oil.
The lubricant is specially made for military rifles, and so you can use it to lube your AR15.
It’s not only made to lube rifles, but also revolvers, gunshots, and pistols.
So that should tell you that this lube is extremely effective at protecting your gun from jamming.
You can also use it to lubricate other metal folding items like folding knives. You can use on metal surfaces to prevent rusting and corrosion.
And another great thing about this lube is that it provides a protective film on metal surfaces that repels dirt and dust and prevents scratching. It does not evaporate, which is one of the features that makes it so effective and reliable.
So this is a great product if you are looking for something that can help keep your rifle in the best condition possible, whether you use it regularly or not. Plus you don’t need to dig deep into your pocket to afford it.
Main Features
- Specifically Developed for Military Firearms
- Combines High Quality Synthetic Oils & LPX Additives
- Resistant to Evaporation, Separation & Gumming
- Lowest Known Friction Coefficient
- Cleans Surface Fouling Without Solvents
- Leaves Protective Film that Repels Dust/Dirt
- Temperature Range (-85°F to 462°F)
- Excellent For Long Term Storage
Pros:
- It is odorless
- It prevents rusting and corrosion
- Provides a protective film that repels dirt and prevents scratching
- It does not evaporate making it super effective
- It is multipurpose
- It is not expensive
- It protects your rifle from moisture
Cons:
- The bottle is of poor quality
5. Sage & Braker CLP Review
If you are looking for a gun lube that you can use to clean even the hardest to reach places of your rifle, this is it.
CLP is a product from Sage and Braker and its one of those lubes that effectively cleans lead, copper, and carbon residue unlike other lubes.
And it also repels dirt and dust.
Sage & Braker CLP helps protect your rifle from corrosion and rust.
And it also protects your rifle from carbon contamination when you are using it, which is quite impressive.
So you can be assured that you won’t deal with carbon buildup even after shooting your rifle many times. And this is because it minimizes static, which increases carbon buildup.
The lube protects the moving parts of your rifle from wear and tear which is a result of metal to metal contact. It dissipates heat, keeping the components cool and good in working condition.
CLP uses non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients and this is to ensure your safety and that of the environment. You can choose to wear gloves or not when using the lube, it doesn’t matter as the ingredients are completely harmless.
But we do recommend that if you have extremely sensitive skin, always wear gloves when working with a gun lube. Aside from all that, the lube is reasonably priced. It does cost a little bit more than many of the reputable lubes, but it is affordable.
The downside is that it does take quite some time to work. While it takes a few minutes for some lubricants to work, this one takes about 30 minutes. So you need to let it sit for that amount of time before wiping down your rifle for good results.
Main Features
- Oil, Lubricant, Solvent & Protectant All-in-One
- Removing Carbon, Lead & Copper Residue
- Helps Clean Hard to Reach Places
- Protects From Corrosion & Rust
- Formula Greatly Reduces Static
- Coats & Protects Bore & All Moving Parts On Firearm
- No Harsh Smelling Chemicals
- Non-Hazardous, Biodegradable & Non-toxic
Pros:
- Helps you clean hard to reach places
- It’s great at removing carbon, lead, and copper residue
- Lubricates well and prevents rusting, corrosion, and carbon buildup
- It is made of human safe and environmentally friend ingredients
- It removes light rust
Cons:
- Takes long to work
- Some users find it expensive
- Strong, unpleasant odor
Buyer’s Guide
Now that you have an idea of what lube to buy, let’s get to what you need to look for when looking for a lube for an AR15.
We would like to mention that some rifles work better when not lubed, but that is not the case with an AR15. This is because it has many moving parts that cannot work if they are not well lubricated.
Now, you can choose to make your own lubrication, which is something we don’t recommend because you may create a cleaner that may damage your rifle.
But some rifle owners swear that oils like motor oil work well. Maybe they do and maybe they don’t. It is not the direction we would recommend you take.
With that in mind, how do you go about knowing what lube is suitable for your AR1`5? Here are some factors you need to consider when selecting an AR15 lube.
The Ingredients
Just like the way we check the labels on products that we use for skincare to see what ingredients are used, it’s no different with an AR15 lube. Most lubes don’t contain fancy or many ingredients.
But not many people understand what the ingredients are or what they do. What you need to check on the product label is if a safety label indicating that the ingredients are safe for use and they are not harmful to your health.
If you find the initials MSDS or PSDS on the label that means all the ingredients used, meet the safety standards.
Also, check for the initials AW/EP, this stands for anti-wear/extreme pressure. When you see a lube with these initials, it means that there are additives that can help keep your rifle in tip-top condition.
Type of Lube
When selecting a lube for an AR15, you can either choose to get an aerosol-based, liquid, grease, or oil lube. You can choose to buy one or more, that is up to you.
If you are looking for a lube that is not messy, go with an aerosol-based cleaner. It’s also great because you can lubricate hard to reach places. Plus, you don’t need to brush or scrub your gun’s barrel regularly as the spray provides a protective film.
Oil and grease lubricants are great for lubing the moving parts of your gun as well as removing excess dirt. So when choosing the type of lube to buy, it all depends on your preference.
Price
Lubes are priced differently. You can find lubes that are budget-friendly, expensive, and some that are downright cheap. We do recommend staying away from cheap lubes. You would rather spend more and get a quality lube.
Using a poor quality lube can damage your rifle or parts of it. So would you rather buy an expensive lube or a new rifle?
Considerations
If you live in a humid place, rust should be your biggest concern. So you should consider buying a lubricant that helps prevent rusting. And you can find many of those in the market.
If you plan on using your gun during the winter season, get a lubricant that can prevent your gun from malfunctioning due to the freezing temperatures.
So depending on when you use your gun, you can choose to buy more than one lube designed to work in certain temperatures. Or you can choose to get a lube that works well in all temperatures.
What Do You need to Lube Your Rifle?
Now that we have talked about what you need to look for when searching for a suitable lube for your AR15, let’s look at some of the tools you need to lube your rifle.
Now you don’t need much when it comes to lubricating your rifle other than a good lube. What you need is a cleaning kit, since you cannot lube your rifle before getting rid of excessive dirt and other residues.
Some lubricants act as cleaning agents as well as lubricants. So you can choose to get one of those instead of a cleaning kit if you are on a tight budget.
The advantage of getting a cleaning kit is that it comes with all the tools that you need to clean your rifle thoroughly. So before you go about lubing your rifle, make sure you have the right tools to clean it first.
How Often Should You Lube Your Rifle?
It is recommended that you clean and lube your gun after you shoot it. Doing this can help prevent dirt, carbon, lead, and copper buildup which can affect the performance of the gun.
If you only use your rifle occasionally, or you have one that just sits in your safe, it is advisable to clean it once or twice a year.
What You Need to Know About Gun Lubricants
- A gun lube is useless if some parts of your gun are badly rusted or corroded. It doesn’t matter even if you use the most expensive lube, nothing can fix permanent damage. All a lube can do is help clean dirt and fouling. And lubricate the moving parts of your rifle to prevent it from jamming or malfunctioning.
- Do your research before buying a gun lube. Even the most reputable companies that make gun lube are out to make a profit. And they will use every marketing tactic in the book to get you to be interested in their product. So do your due diligence and get a product that is suitable for your needs and meets your budget.
- Just because a gun lube is expensive does not mean that it can do a better job than one that is not. This is not to say that you should go for the cheapest lube you can find. A lube than has a good reputation when it comes to its quality and effectiveness.
- Check to see what ingredients are in the lube. Some lubes have additives that provide an extra layer of protection against moisture and rust.
- Some gun lubricants work well in certain temperatures. Others work well whether the temperatures are freezing cold or blazing hot temperatures. So it’s up to you to decide which one is suitable for you.
Rifle Lubrication Tips
- A well-lubed rifle is an accurate rifle. So clean and lubricate your rifle as regularly as you use it. Even if you don’t use your rifle regularly, it doesn’t hurt to clean it once in a while to keep in mint condition for when you will use it next.
- Avoid using a lubricant that is made of harsh or toxic ingredients. This may damage your gun notwithstanding the harm it may cause you and the environment. The good thing is that most companies that produce gun lubes use non-toxic biodegradable materials that are not harmful to you or the environment.
- Make sure you clean the rifle thoroughly before lubricating it.
- You don’t need to use too much lube to lube the barrel of your rifle. A few drops are more than enough to protect the barrel from dirt and fouling.
- Aerosol lubes when sprayed run everywhere, which can be a problem if you only need to lubricate one particular area. So use a bottled lube that comes with an applicator nuzzle instead in cases where you only need to lubricate a small area.
- Always use a lube that is suitable for your rifle.
Conclusion
Remember, before you buy an AR15 lube check to see that there is a safety label. You don’t want to get a lube that contains toxic ingredients that are harmful to your health or the environment.
Also, avoid cheap lubes. Most quality lubes are not expensive. So choose quality over price. And lastly, always follow the instructional manual that comes with the lube to ensure that you lubricate your rifle properly and correctly.
