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).

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AR Lubrication Myths

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

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

As explained in the Clean and Inspect article, the right lubricant (e.g. CLP) makes cleanup so easy, you barely even need cleaning tools (a simple wipe is sufficient in most places). Do yourself a favor and use a good firearm lubricant.

WD-40 is not a lubricant (it is a water displacer).

Motor oil belongs in a motor; too thick for firearms.

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 (e.g. the bolt), 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 and the only issue was oil spatter on our shooting mat and oil oozing out of the gun.

Lubrication Tools and Materials

What It Is	Why You Need It	Part Number	PB Pick
Wet Lubricant	Lubrication of all moving parts. You can’t lubricate an AR without lubricant.	CLP	Break Free CLP Lubricant
Needle Bottle	For applying your wet lube in tight spaces. Without one of these, you are very likely to overlubricate.	Needle-Bottle	Needle Bottle
Cleaning Mat	A dirty AR is dirty. A stripped AR breaks down into 12 parts that range from itty bitty to large. A good cleaning mat will contain the fouled oil and make it easy to keep track of all of the parts of a disassembled AR.	AVULGSM	Real Avid Universal Smart Mat
Cleaning Rags/Wipes, Disposable	You will need to wipe the grime, solvent, and cleaner from your gun. You could use paper towels, but a tougher wipe is much more effective and will be less prone to depositing little hunks of paper in weird places.	34790	Wypall X60 1bx
Cleaning Cable	Some like cleaning rods. We prefer cleaning cables (especially in the range bag). This tool will let you pull bore brushes and patch holders through your barrel for cleaning.	BT-SCBT-SET	Breakthrough 8" and 33" Nylon Coated Cleaning Cable Set
Cleaning Cable Handle	While you could, theoretically, wrap the cleaning cable around your hand to pull it through your bore, a purpose-built handle is much more comfortable.	BT-H-8-32	Breakthrough T-Handle
Patch Holder	You will need to run dry and wet patches down the bore. A patch holder makes this easy. We prefer patch holders over cleaning jags, especially since we prefer cleaning cables over cleaning rods.	PHB	Pro-Shot .22-.45 Caliber Patch Holder
Cleaning Patches, Small	If you want to get lubricant down the bore, or if you want to wipe it clean and dry, you need cleaning patches. Lots of them. This size will cover .22LR, .223, 5.56mm, .243, and 6.5mm.	11/8-1000	Pro-Shot .22-.270 Square Patch
Cleaning Patches, Medium	If you want to get lubricant down the bore, or if you want to wipe it clean and dry, you need cleaning patches. Lots of them. This size will cover .300, .308, 7.62mm, 9mm.	2-1000	Pro-Shot .270-.38 Round Patch
Cleaning Patches, Large	If you want to get lubricant down the bore, or if you want to wipe it clean and dry, you need cleaning patches. Lots of them. This size will cover 9mm, .40	PHO21/4	Pro-Shot .38-.45 Square Patch
Cleaning Patches, Extra Large	If you want to get lubricant down the bore, or if you want to wipe it clean and dry, you need cleaning patches. Lots of them. This size will cover .458	PHO21/2	Pro-Shot .45-.58 Round Patch
Chamber Tool Handle, 5.56 NATO	The chamber is a particularly important part of the AR. A chamber tool handle along with chamber pads is a useful way to lubricate an AR chamber.	AVAR15CB	Real Avid AR-15 Chamber Boss
Chamber Tool Handle, 7.62 NATO	The chamber is a particularly important part of the AR. A chamber tool handle along with chamber pads is a useful way to lubricate an AR chamber.	FG-2717	Otis Star Chamber Tool, 7.62mm
Chamber Pads, 5.56 NATO	A complement to the chamber tool handle, the chamber pad makes application of lubricant to the lugs a breeze.	AVAR15CP	Real Avid Chamber Pads
Chamber Pads, 7.62 NATO	A complement to the chamber tool handle, the chamber pad makes application of lubricant to the lugs a breeze.	308CMS	Pro-Shot Chamber Swabs

Lubrication Process

JAD: Just A Drop; apply using a needle bottle

LF: Light Film; apply with a wipe or finger

DBS: Don’t Be Stingy; apply liberally

Lower Receiver:

Pivot/Takedown Pins
- Shaft (LF)
- Channel (JAD)
Magazine Catch (JAD)
Bolt Catch (JAD)
Hammer/Trigger Pins (JAD)
Buffer Spring (LF)

Upper Receiver:

Upper Receiver¹ (TF)
Barrel Bore² (TF)
Forward Assist (JAD)
Ejection Port Dust Cover Pin (JAD)
Charging Handle
- Inside of Shaft (LF)
- Outside of Shaft (LF)
- Pins (JAD)
Bolt Carrier Group:
- Carrier Rails (DBS)
- Bolt Lugs (DBS)
- Bolt Exterior (DBS)
- Gas Rings (TF)
- Firing Pin (TF)
- Extractor Pin (TF)
- Cam Pin (DBS)
- Ejector Pin (JAD)
- Cam Pin (DBS)

1: We apply a thin film to the inside of the upper receiver (i.e. where the BCG and charging handle slide). This ensures adequate lubrication of the BCG and charging handle, and aids in cleanup.

2: If you will be storing your gun (i.e. not firing it immediately), we recommend that you run a patch saturated with CLP (NOT bore cleaner) 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 CLP protectant.

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How to Lubricate an AR

Lubrication Tools and Materials

Lubrication Process

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