LUBING under barrel before pinning

[Sean McKown]

I think I should lube under the barrel, BEFORE pinning it in place.  Any suggestions? or is it even necessary.  Or what lube should I use?  Thanks

[Flint62Smoothie]

I do and was taught it by a guy who knew Curly Gostomski and who was also a curator for the US Parks Dept.

I myself use blue-colored waterproof synthetic marine grease.  It is the bomb!  In fact, all outboard makers sell it, but the "Triple Guard" grease sold by OMC/Bombardier can be had for 1/2 to 2/3rds the cost of the SAME grease from the Jap companies.  And I know for a fact it all comes out of the same factory.  

When smeared in place and rubbed in, it will REPEL all water intrusion and protect metal like NOTHING else I know of.  But what do I know, I've only been boating in saltwater for 40+ years and this season my bros and I will be running ~7-8 boats with 11 OBs on them.

[Three Hawks]

What I've done on my rifles is to give the metal that's not exposed a double coat of Johnson's paste wax and renew it from time to time as it's convenient.

The barrel channel, inlets and inside of the stocks get a good coat of  boiled linseed oil thinned 50/50 with turpentine to do the same thing.   When I get a rifle, all the metal comes off, every bit of it, so the stock can get the thinned linseed oil on and in every nook and cranny including inside the wedge key channels, ramrod hole and screw holes.  Then it sets overnight to dry before reassembly.  Anyplace likely to get wet, like under the buttplate, gets a double coat.

I've never liked the idea of greasing wood.  Eventually the grease softens and degrades it.   But what do I know?   I only built and repaired wooden boats for 40 years and met  John Wayne when I replaced some planks in his 110' minesweeper, the Wild Goose.

Three Hawks

[Uncle Russ]

I also use plain old JPW (Johnson Paste Wax) under the barrel of all my long guns, but John Wayne never came to visit....wish he had, we seem to have a lot in common when it comes to guns, and how other folks should be treated.

That being said, I have to say that JPW has many "practical" uses around the house including bullet lube, protectant for the occasional glass bedding job, even a little dab here and there on your rifle when hunting in the Rain Forest of the Olympic Peninsula....make that "used to hunt in the Rain Forest".

And before anyone asks, I'll say I have never tried it on my Corn Flakes, but who knows?

Uncle Russ...

[tall bear]

I've always used bees wax.I heat the barrel up until the wax melts,coat with wax,install the barrel and buff off the top.It leaves it thick on the bottom flats.I don't treat the wood but if you wanted too you can dissolve the beeswax with terpentine until it's like vasilene,just apply and let dry.

Mitch