Smyth Busters: Is Motor Oil a Good Substitute for Gun Oil?

Just when you think Brownells Gun Techs Steve and Caleb, aka "The Smyth Busters," may be running out of Internet gun lore to debunk - nope, not yet! Today, they take on the notion that motor oil is a good substitute for gun oil. Motor oil actually IS a good lubricant, BUT it does not have the corrosion inhibitors that good-quality gun oil has. So motor oil will keep the action operating smoothly, but when your gun is sitting in storage , or if you forgot to clean it after your last Louisiana duck hunting safari, it isn't super effective at preventing the reddish-brown blight. Skeptical? Caleb has seen his share of customers come into the shop with rusty guns that had been wiped down with motor oil. For sure, motor oil isn't bad for the inside of the gun; just remember that it won't do much to protect the outside. If you're really concerned about saving money - a quart of motor oil will go a long way - go ahead and use motor oil to lube the action and then wipe down the exterior metal with a dedicated gun oil. So this myth is effectively HALF BUSTED.