How to Lubricate an AR

Lubrication is critical to proper function and longevity of the components of an AR. You should lubricate an AR at least every time you clean it (and then some).

AR Lubrication Myths

MYTH: I can use WD-40, olive oil, grease, Astroglide, etc. to lubricate an AR.

No. Use a fit-for-purpose lubricant. Period.

We cover lubrication in Lock and Lube article and our Solvents and Lubricants section of Cleaning Tools and Materials.

WD-40 is not a lubricant (it is a water displacing [“WD”] penetrating oil).

Straight grease belongs in bearings and on heavy machinery; it is way to thick for your AR. It will only get thicker as the temperature drops (leading to cycling issues) and it will attract and hold grit, which will cause abnormal wear.

MYTH: My BCG has a [fill in the blank] coating, so I don’t need to lubricate it.

While that may technically be true and even stated by the manufacturer for certain coatings (e.g. DLC), lubrication is still strongly advised and it certainly won’t hurt. It is also likely that some associated parts are not coated by the coating in question, and these should still be lubricated.

MYTH: I can overlubricate an AR.

While the definition of “overlubricate” is subjective, there are certainly best practices.

First and foremost, you should avoid getting a significant amount of lubricant in the path of hot gas (barrel > gas port > gas block > gas tube > gas key > bolt/bolt barrier) at all costs. Lubricant of any type will burn and carbonize under the extreme temperatures experienced along this path, which will do just the opposite of lubrication.

Excessive lubricant can be an attractant for dust, dirt, and grit. While better than under-lubricating, overlubricating an AR will lead to more frequent cleaning.

That said, we have run ARs “dripping wet” with CLP (because it doesn’t stay put) and the only issue was lube spatter on our shooting mat and lube oozing out of the gun.

Lower Receiver Lubrication

Part	Lube	Application Method	Store	Maintain
Pivot/Takedown Pins (Shaft)	Oil	Finger	X	X
Pivot/Takedown Pins (Detent Channel)	Oil	Needle Dropper	X	X
Bolt Catch	Oil	Needle Dropper	X	X
Trigger Group¹⁺²	Oil	Needle Dropper	X	X
Buffer Spring³	Oil	Wipe	X	X

1: Only applicable for 2-piece triggers. Do not lubricate drop-in/cassette style triggers unless required by manufacturer.

2: Lubrication points per diagram below.

3: Only applicable for non-captive buffer springs. Do not lubricate captured springs unless required by manufacturer.

Trigger Group Lubrication

Refer to the diagram below from Geissele for 2-piece triggers.

Upper Receiver Lubrication

Part	Lube	Application Method	Store	Maintain
Upper Receiver (Interior)	Oil	Wipe/Finger	X	X
Barrel Star Chamber	Oil	Chamber Pad	X	X
Barrel Bore¹	Oil	Patch	X
Barrel Exterior¹	Oil	Wipe/Finger	X
Ejection Port Dust Cover (Detent)	Oil	Needle Dropper	X	X
Charging Handle (Inside Shaft)	Oil	Needle Dropper	X	X
Charging Handle (Outside Shaft)	Oil	Finger	X	X
Charging Handle (Pins)	Oil	Needle Dropper	X	X
Bolt Carrier Exterior	Oil	Finger	X	X
Bolt Body	Blend	Dropper	X	X
Bolt Lugs	Oil	Needle Dropper	X	X
Firing Pin	Blend	Finger	X	X
Cam Pin	Blend	Dropper	X	X
Ejector	Oil	Needle Dropper	X	X
Extractor Pin	Oil	Needle Dropper	X	X

1: If you will be storing your gun (i.e. not firing it immediately), we recommend that you run a patch saturated with oil down the bore. This will prevent corrosion of the bore. Before you fire the gun, run a dry patch down the bore to remove the oil. We also recommend oiling the outside of any phosphate finished barrels to prevent surface rust.

How to Lubricate an AR

AR Lubrication Myths

Lower Receiver Lubrication

Upper Receiver Lubrication

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