What type of grease to lube the M1 Garand?

[gunsmith]

When I first got my SA M-1 1943 version the Marine from across the creek came over to help me learn about the operation of the rifle.

Being a veteran of the pacific he spoke highly of Lubriplate.... and in his memory I still use the can he provided many years ago

[RCS]

lubriplate in the tube

[CTMC(ret)]

This thread made remember that I wanted to find a different source for Lubriplate - I bought a gross of those little grease pots years ago, but now I think I'd like to keep them for buttstocks. Found a 16-lb. can on ebay for $18 plus s&h (probably overkill!) or 6 14-oz. cans for $22.95 plus s&h. Thought the 14-oz. cans would make neat Christmas presents for some really good friends! So - they arrived today (3 days after auction ended - not bad - Thanks, USPS!!!). Now - I wonder if I can find some sort of device to suck up a bit of the grease and refill those empty pots? Or spoon it into a cut-down turkey baster and then squirt it into the pots? Hmmmmmm......we'll see...

[tmm1956]

I'm still using a vat of 1963 dated USGI rifle grease. Seems to work great.


www.m1buddy.com

[Bayou]

Thanks, for all the replies. My new spring kit came today

Hopefully this weekend we'll get them installed, lubricate the action and visit the range. Can't wait to shoot this baby!

[mousegun]

Plastilube!

[Art]

As one who believes "the best is the enemy of good enough" I still use plastilube. In fact mine is the same lot as in the picture above. I figure that the amount in the can will outlast me, and if it dosen't I'll "upgrade" then.

[53M1Grnd]

A friend who sells our store Amsoil synthetic products said that their synthetic multi-Purpose grease grade #2 works great on the M1. He has told me that the Amsoil synthetic multi-Purpose grease is suitable for use up to 350 degrees and down to -40. He said to just dab it a little with a Q-Tip in the correct locations and the old M1 will shoot in all kinds of weather without any problems.

Well, I just put in a new spring kit, cleaned and lubed with the Amsoil. I can't wait to get out and give it a try. Will let you know how it works.

[Devil Dog]

I use a "white" wheel bearing grease that is sold at marine stores for use on boat trailer wheel bearings. It looks and feels a lot like Lubriplate.

[Maury Krupp]

What appears to be overlooked here is why grease was prescribed for the M1 instead of oil.

The M1 passed all its acceptance tests and the first six years of its service life lubed with the same type of oil used on the M1903

It wasn't until rifles started jamming in combat when the oil was washed off by tropical downpours in the SWPA that Lubriplate was adopted.

Even then it was picked for its waterproof properties and availability off the shelf; not for any special lubrication properties.

So unless you plan to get into a firefight in New Guinea during the rainy season, one grease is probably as good as the next.

Maury