doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Hinge Pin Lube/Grease - When Do You Apply It?

This is the little syringe I carry, Greg. Only 3 cc, but you wouldn't believe how long it will last, because it is so easy to apply it in the small amounts necessary. No mess in the hard case, either.

https://www.microlonproducts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_34&products_id=86

SRH

I am fairly new to double guns and still quite ignorant. It appears from this thread that I should be using something more substantial than gun oil on at least part of my double gun. What is the exact reason for this? What should I be using? Where should I be applying it? My guns are generally remain assembled.

Many of us have differing views about that, but here is mine. I use the above micron grease on double guns at three places ......... (1) the knuckle, where the forend iron rides against it, (2) the bolting mechanism, whatever type it is, that locks the barrels closed to the receiver, and (3) the hook(s) and hinge pin or trunnions. I feel these three places need grease because I believe it gives a superior lube to surfaces that slide more, have greater load bearing, and don't need the lesser viscosity of oil to prevent slowing the movement. Trigger assemblies and lock mechanisms are places I want very thin oil in order to have as fast a lock time as possible.

Every other moving part gets a very small amount of thin oil. Trigger assemblies get lubed with Breakfree CLP, maybe once a year.

All my best, SRH

There are two reasons; one is that all moving surfaces like the hinge pin should not run dry, but have a VERY thin film of oil/grease to prevent 'galling' or 'pickup' which can occur if things are dry. Secondly - when you clean off the old oil/grease (as you should before replacing with clean fresh) - you take away the microscopic grit, dirt and other contaminants and these are large causes of wear in the long term.

It should go on the moving surfaces where metal moves over metal. I prefer a little grease, but to be fair, oil is probably just as good. The most important thing is to clean off old and apply fresh - like changing the oil in a car.

Stan and John, Thanks for the info. Most of my guns are older than I am and I would love to pass them on to my kids one day. I appreciate the help in keeping them in good working order.

Most of mine are older than me - oldest dating to 1810.
Oils and greases are MUCH better than was available then - especially in working under tough conditions and not degrading and 'gumming', but it is still important to make sure they are present and clean.

Incidentally, I fully agree with the more detailed location descriptions and application points in Stan's post

In the FWIW Dept. I've found that a plastic 35mm film tin will keep a near lifetime supply of grease in a hard case or your kit & keep it clean and uncontaminated as well. Your pharmacist or vet. will likely give you a plastic syringe or two for the asking & as Stan has mentioned, they make for quick and effective dispensers. I use them as well, but they can be a liability in a travel application. I use electrical 'wire nuts' as a stopper on my plastic syringes to keep contaminates off or excess grease from being inadvertently ejected/extruded and I don't fly with them. Some countries will confiscate anything identifiable as oil or grease when they inspect the guns, their packing &c. Just saying. OTOH, a tube of 'lip balm' will go most anywhere w/o questioning.

Good idea ...... using lip balm as grease, to travel with. I've only been hunting to one country overseas, well, two if you count a layover in Santiago (they did X-ray our luggage, so I guess it counts), but the grease I carried there was not a problem. If I go through customs again on a hunting trip I will definitely have a tube of Chapstick in my pocket, just to be on the safe side.

SRH