SIGforum
Expired Gun grease/oil
February 19, 2026, 03:17 AM
1860ARMYExpired Gun grease/oil
IBM #43 grease and White Oil #10 from my IBM Selectric repair days in the 70's... both excellent lubes and you can hardly distinguish a change in viscosity when you freeze them.. I just found another tube of the grease and have half gallon of the oil left... at my age that should do it. I also have a tube of USGI grease from the 40s that is still viable...I feel that if it becomes unusable within reasonable age it probably was not too good when new...
60
February 19, 2026, 04:38 AM
220-9erI’d be more concerned about plastic containers aging out than the contents.
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Avoid buying ChiCom/CCP products whenever possible.
February 19, 2026, 06:54 AM
4MUL8RGrease additives are mixed in base oils. Separation over time can occur. Base oils chosen can be oxidatively more or less stable.
It is best to avoid saying that an observation of one ancient grease remaining fine proves that all ancient greases are also fine.
Formulations matter.
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Trying to simplify my life...
February 19, 2026, 09:25 AM
2AdefenderIf you can afford a firearm, and you can afford to buy ammo, then you can afford to pitch a questionable bottle of lubricant and buy a new one.
Stimulate the economy a little.
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The Second Amendment is not about hunting or sport shooting.
February 19, 2026, 10:28 AM
Jim Watsonquote:
Originally posted by 220-9er:
I’d be more concerned about plastic containers aging out than the contents.
Oh yes.
I was transferring old FP10 from the black plastic bottle to a needle oiler. It was moving kind of slow so I gave it a harder squeeze and crushed the bottle, dumping half my oil on the counter and floor.
I have the usual assortment of lubricants. The last I paid for was the Militec-1 fad. I saw no advantage to it, saw it was originally a gear drive additive so I dumped it in my can of surplus "Oil, lubricating and preservative."
February 19, 2026, 06:11 PM
220-9erAnother consideration, automotive lubricants have had many advances on the last few decades and some of that may have rubbed off on gun lubes.
Maybe just reformulated a bit but sold under the same name for marketing reasons.
As others have mentioned, probably worth tossing the old stuff, as little as most of these cost, and replacing with the newer stuff.
Just buy it in the smaller size next time.
___________________________
Avoid buying ChiCom/CCP products whenever possible.
February 19, 2026, 10:01 PM
MikeinNCquote:
Originally posted by marksman41:
Mike - it does have a banana-ish smell, but what is the "white glop"?
Teflon particles
Sgt - I, too, tend to buy in larger units and have enough oil and grease to last several lifetimes at the rate I go (or don't, rather) to the range. Good tip about putting something in the bottle to help with mixing. Thanks.
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“ in my opinion, anything that we can do to trigger a potential aneurysm in a leftist is a good thing and worth doing” nhtagmember 2025 February 20, 2026, 07:17 AM
Abn556I’ve been using Break Free as a GP gun cleaner/lube since I went into the Army in 1982. I have a big bottle of it that has to be at least 20 years old. I see no reason to throw it away. I fill up small bottles for my range bags off that big bottle.
February 20, 2026, 08:45 PM
Vaftocrquote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Just mix it up if it's separated, and roll on.
It's fine.
Agreed
February 20, 2026, 08:47 PM
Vaftocrquote:
Originally posted by Abn556:
I’ve been using Break Free as a GP gun cleaner/lube since I went into the Army in 1982. I have a big bottle of it that has to be at least 20 years old. I see no reason to throw it away. I fill up small bottles for my range bags off that big bottle.
“Range bags”? I clean my guns after I leave the range. Tell me more about this.
February 20, 2026, 09:03 PM
hrcjonin the scheme of lubricants guns are about the least stressful situation you could imagine (OK maybe hinges are lower). If its seperated remix it. Any quality grease/oil has a shelf life for its rated performance, but you don't need that in any way. Use what you have and be happy.
“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”
February 21, 2026, 11:39 AM
kymarkhJust shake / mix well before use and you will be fine.
February 21, 2026, 04:07 PM
4MUL8RPlease remember that automotive lubricants have very different design requirements than firearms.
ATF is focused on friction control over thousands of miles.
Engine oil deals with incredible heat, fuel deposits, sliding, chain pivots, plastic tensioners, and acidic combustion byproducts.
Gear oil handles extreme pressure and complicated metal-on-metal sliding, with corrosive but protective sulfur components.
Base oils vary by application and performance profile.
Although many have used automotive lubricants in firearms, with "success," the formulations are not optimized for firearms.
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Trying to simplify my life...