Handgun magazines - Lube or No Lube?

[cqaigy2]

Part of it is technique Ken. Part of it is practice, and yes part of it is strong, nimble fingers. The more you load magazines the easier it gets for everyone. Most new shooters at a match have some trouble thumbing in rounds. You can always tell the old experienced shooters as they can load mags easily and the newbies struggle. The average person just starting out no matter how good their fingers are will struggle for a while. But I am not discounting RA, I can imagine that could slow down anyone.

Like James says. Also i think the springs get a little less stiff after you've run a few loads thru it.

Lol, i should have read through to the end before imparting the stiff spring wisdom. :laughing:

 

[kcflhrc]

The mags on my new Taurus PT111 were very difficult to load but the springs have eased up enough now and with the proper technique it isn't too bad now. I think keeping the mags loaded helped a lot.

 

[JRobyn]

I have used a VERY slight smear of Gunslick grease on the outside of magazine springs before. I only did this on one or two mags that were really stiff. I think the best policy is to just clean thoroughly (disassemble mag as necessary), then wipe the inside and spring/follower with just the barest film of a good gun oil.

I am thinking that Fluid Film might work good in a magazine. But I wonder if there might be issues with it slowly creeping into primers in magazines that are stored loaded for long periods?

 

[k0ua]

I have used a VERY slight smear of Gunslick grease on the outside of magazine springs before. I only did this on one or two mags that were really stiff. I think the best policy is to just clean thoroughly (disassemble mag as necessary), then wipe the inside and spring/follower with just the barest film of a good gun oil.

I am thinking that Fluid Film might work good in a magazine. But I wonder if there might be issues with it slowly creeping into primers in magazines that are stored loaded for long periods?

I don't think it would. It is more grease than oil. But you really don't much of anything on mags , just prevent rusting . After being in the rain mud. And slip I would always disassemble and clean, the lightly oil and then rub that off.

 

[Garandman]

Leave the magazines loaded and the springs will soften over a little time.

They don't "soften" so much as take an initial set.

 

[k0ua]

Come to think of it I have a bunch of Glock 19 (will fit Glock 26 also with some stickout) 10 round magazines I would be willing to let go pretty cheap if someone that lives in one of the communist controlled states that can only have 10 round mags wants them. They have very little usage. I was hanging on to them because if it became hard to get mags I wanted to keep them. But I don't think we are going to have much trouble buying the full 15 round mags in the future, and I have enough of them anyway. Let me know, you NY or Cali guys.

 

[teejk]

Never touch mine (H&K VP9)...hard to load out of the box is an understatement but with time it's getting easier (other than that last round to fill the mag but I'm thinking that will get easier also and I can forego that and still have 14 in the mag)...offered a friend the opportunity to shoot it yesterday and he drilled 15 shots into a 4" group at 20 yds...free-hand. He owns 15+ hand-guns but he was so impressed that I think he'll soon have 1 more (he says none of his group that tight).

 

[brown40]

Everything gets an occasional wipe down with a cloth and a little Ballistol. Its either a wax or lanolin product--doesn't stay wet or seem to attract or hold grime, does a great job on wood conditioning also. Seems to hold and keep a layer better than the lighter oils. I only hit contact points on bolts and blocks with a little oil/ballistol (it does work for everything except lead and copper fouling) on reassembly. I do not spray down internals except to clean, dry and reassemble. The more oily or greasy the more dirt accumulates. Use widens the tolerances and gets things running smoothly--some manufacturers seem to do a better job out of the box, but they all get better as they loosen.

 

[Bird]

I lightly lube the outside of mine, and wipe off. New mag. springs will be stiff... Buy a loader assist. I have this one

Amazon.com : Maglula UpLULA Magazine Speed Loader 9mm-.45 ACP UP6B : Gun Magazine Loaders : Sports & Outdoors

I have that same loader; got it from the local Bass Pro store a few years ago.

And I use Remington Rem-Oil Wipes on my guns and magazines, also from Bass Pro.

Remington Rem Oil Pop-Up Wipes |
Bass Pro Shops: The Best Hunting, Fishing, Camping & Outdoor Gear

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Silicon oil was mentioned; I would probably not use silicon oil on my guns at all. Friend of mine that I used to shoot trap with noticed that his new Browning superposed was showing some scoring at the break-open hinge. He called the company, and the first thing they asked was what kind of lubrication he was using. He said "the best Silicon oil money can buy". They said NO NO NO NO NO! No Silicon oil...ever. That's enough for me.