The Rohrbaugh Forum
Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh R9 (all variations) => Topic started by: DDGator on October 14, 2004, 07:19:33 PM
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This has been posted before, but bears repeating: PROPER LUBE OF THE R-9 IS ESSENTIAL.
Here is the description of the process from Eric:
"...the best way to ensure the reliable function, as best we can with this firearm due to the extremely close tolerances used in it's manufacture, it is best to take the slide off after every 50 to 80 rounds and give it a wipe down and some fresh lube. The R9 is a specialty built firearm and it needs that extra bit of care, due such a machine, to be ready when you need it. This extra care will pay off with dividends! We use Super Lube PTFE on the rails, the lockup area of the barrel, a little bit on the cone of the barrel (front bushing area if you will) and the barrel lug area itself. Other areas use Mobil One Synthetic motor oil 0-30 weight. This is good for the trigger pivot area, firing pin, magazine latch area and hammer area. Do this and she should perform very well for you. Most of the guns returned to us for warranty repair have all been absent of lubrication and dirty beyond belief! We simply can not believe it."...Eric Rohrbaugh / 4 October '04
Eric has also sent me some pics showing exactly where the SuperLube should go...
On the barrel:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/DDGator/Rohrbaugh%20Factory/barrellube.jpg
And on the rails, including the underside and the inside of the rails -- just "paint" it on:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/DDGator/Rohrbaugh%20Factory/properlube--includingunderrail.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/DDGator/Rohrbaugh%20Factory/lubeinsideframe.jpg
These photos and instructions will be shipping with new pistols in the near future.
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>>A picture is worth a thousand words - Those photographs are very helpful...TW<<
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Thanks for the clarification!
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Incursion ain't exaggerating about the "Vaseline-like lube that they use."
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More material that I think I'll try and archive in a ref pages section on my server.
Looks rather extreme but - we have to remember not only the tight tolerances but - the need to preserve the life of the frame seeing as it is aluminum with stainless slide acting on it.
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www.super-lube.com. You can order online.
They apply it using a syringe. Hopefully, at some time in the future, they may be able to offer it via their website.
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Very good info-Thanks....
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By the way, Super-Lube makes a variety of products-from grease to oils.
This appears to be their grease product.
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I just read on the Superlube site concerning the specs that the Superlube grease has a shelf life of 24 monthes. I have never heard of a grease or oil having a shelf life. Does this have ramifications if you use it at 25 monthes? For those that have this grease, is there an expiration date on the container?
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I have used Greased Lightning® on most of my machine tools and firearms for years. It has the PTFE (Teflon®) in it combined with a detergent 30wt motor oil. As far as I have researched PTFE is the slickest thing known to man. Lubes have to do several things beside just be slick. First of all they have to stay at the location that needs the lube. This is where viscosity comes into play. With an area like around the barrel where there is a lot of room and movement between parts you need a higher viscosity, like grease or heavy oil, to keep the lube in the place its needed. In pivot points you can use a lighter lube. PTFE is slick, I once did a small test with my metal lathe tail stock using a spring scale. Testing the amount of force needed to move it after lubricating with different products. Thoroughly cleaning with solvent between each product. When comparing each type, grease, med wt. oil and light oils, anything with the PTFE in it was far better that without. The only reason I use Greased Lightning® brand is because it is cheap at K-Mart. There are a lot of products out on the market with PTFE someone may want to experiment with some of them.
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Tetra Gun Grease aways had a good reputation. Is it still a good option?
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I ordered the Super-Lube as recommended by the Rohrbaugh's but am wondering if the lube photos are exaggerated for demonstration purposes? Do they really recommend that it be applied so generously?
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Tetra Gun Grease aways had a good reputation. Is it still a good option?
I hope so, that's all the "grease" I have on hand and my new R9S straight from the factory is BONE DRY!
EDIT: I think I covered this in another post. It wasn't bone dry once I took it apart (I could see all the slide parts more easily), but the barrel length and the barrel hood had no lube/grease on them. The rails and barrel lug were lubed.
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''BONE DRY''?? Heck - I should mention that to Eric because AFAIK they always leave greased. Might have been an unwitting omission they should know about.
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I have just ordered an R9S and have been looking thru this forum for operating and maintenance tips.
QUESTION ON LUBE: I have been using Brian Enos' Slide Glide on my H&K USP, and my NAA .380 Guardian. The stuff was formulated for Mr. Enos by a automatic transmission engineer from GM. Seems to be really slippery and it stays put.
Does anyone have any experience with Slide-Glide on the Rohrbaugh pistols? Eric Rohrbaugh: Any comments?
Steve Slater
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Welcome to the forum sslater!
I've not had any experience with slide glide, but it has been discussed in an earlier thread. The link is here. (http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.cgi?board=news;action=display;num=1110461007;start=9#9) It is possible in the interim that someone else has experience with that product on the R9, but it's only been a few days since that post.
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Hey - welcome Steve! :)
Read thru some stuff from my FAQ site - various things there might interest you - plus links to other things re R9 too.
I reiterate my one main premise (and I haven't used this slide glide as yet) ...... which is - persistance is essential, but without hopefully excessive viscocity drag. Add to that hopefully some additives like teflon, moly etc - something that remains even if actual grease per se has ''gone thin''.
Eric may read your question (when the poor guy has time to drop by here!) but for reasons of diplomacy does not post here.
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Hello Steve,
"Slide Glide" must be synonymous with Michiganders, I too have been using Brian Enos products on my semi-autos for a while, and have been very happy with his lubricate. I'm anxioiusly awaiting my R9 like yourself and so many others, and I will use the Slide Glide on it as I've have on all of my weapons. I've used it on the Sig, PPK, Glock, Gold Cup, Ruger MKll and all of my shotguns and rifles. I've purchased all three grades of his product but have only use the S-G#1 which is the standard viscosity, it is IMO a excellant product. For those that might be interested his website is www.brianenos.com, or 877 219 5598.
You know eventually, there may be enough of us " Michiganders" to take over this Forum!! ::)
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Mismatch, Why would we let that happen!!!! Remember be polite. Tom
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LOL, ... Tom,.. I'm always polite, and I have gotten even more polite since I've been carrying ::) I was surprise at how many forum members where from Mich. There must be a message there or something? As far as taking over this forum, it would never happen, who could run it any better than Gator? He has done a superb job, as have all the Senior members for their contributions, I only hope I can contribute as much!
Fred
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Hey, I though my ears were burning... Thanks for the plug. As you say, this is a great forum because of the great people that hang out here and share their wisdom.
8)
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I just read on the Superlube site concerning the specs that the Superlube grease has a shelf life of 24 monthes. I have never heard of a grease or oil having a shelf life. Does this have ramifications if you use it at 25 monthes? For those that have this grease, is there an expiration date on the container?
Although I, also, have not seen a stipulated 'shelf life' on oils or greases, I have has tubs of axel grease 'turn' presumedly from bacterial activity.
So, I emailed Super-Lube about the business of some idea as to 'expiration dates' etc., on those products and am awaiting the response which I will post here when & if.
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Skyhook,
I will be looking for Super Lube's answer to you. In my garage I have cans of Lubriplate, Moly bearing grease, and the old fashioned 'long fiber' bearing grease. When I moved last year, I opened the cans and found them all to be in good shape.
These days I use Moly grease for most all my automotive requirements.
Being a card carrying pack rat, all came with me to the new place. Makes you wonder if Super Lube is just trying to sell more product...
BTW: I took a glob (a precise scientific measure of volume ;D)of Super Lube and a glob of Slide Glide on a plate and cold soaked them in the freezer @ -10 degrees F. They started out at about the same viscosity as measured by (another precise scientific) toothpick pull test. After a day in the freezer, I found the Super Lube & Slide Glide to pull about the same. But the Slide Glide thinned out quicker. Significant? I don't know. If a pocket carry gun gets down to -10 F., the carrier may have more trouble than just a bad guy.
For now I'll stick with the Rohrbaugh recommendation.
I suspect that all of the modern lubes are damned good in protecting the moving parts. I won't be using that gun show "real mil-spec" WW II gun grease in the little olive drab bottle.
sslater
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"For now I'll stick with the Rohrbaugh recommendation." -sslater
I have little doubt there may be equilivent lubes out there, myself, but, as you stated aptly, the smart thing is go with the mfgr's recommendations.
A parallel to this-- I just replaced my hydrotherm heater/air conditioner and the upstream filter recommended by the installer is a 40 micron screen-- I was going with the 100 micron version, but---- I went with the recommendation to be in line with what the folks 'in the know' recommended.
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Another ? that has been raised before and I do not believe has been answered all the way as yet..
Most of the SL grease is "food grade" is this what everyone is using?
I know that they also sell a,I believe is a higher temp grease..
Most of whats for sale is the food grade,I have found..
Could this have something to do with the 2 yr "limit" ??
Brenden
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All food grade grease means is that it's free from bacteria and it's non-poisonous -- I use what is really just vaseline all the time, but a much more expensive, NSF approved form of it.
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I figured it was non toxic for food grade reasons - sure would not want to eat it though.. :o
I was also curious on the 2 yr "limit" too.. ???
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Reply from Super-Lube
Hello (Skyhook),
We have a batch code system…If you offer us the batch code on the container we can offer you the information you are seeking. Please reply directly back to me so we can assist you and thanks for your patience. Also I would not be too concerned about our published shelf life as the material will work fine for many years. Super Lube is synthetic…We publish a shelf life as there are many companies that do not properly store lubricants and over time these variables can cause the material to break down.
As an example…if you store drums of grease outside. We hope this assists you and if you need to speak with me please call me or contact me directly and thank you.
My Best,
Sal Randisi
Super Lube/Synco Chemical Corporation
800 420 5823 Office
516 982 5587 Mobile
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Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2005 7:42 AM
To: info@super-lube.com
Subject: Shelf Life found.. New question..
Ok, I did find the 24 mos. stipulation in the spec chart... now, is there a definite 'expiration date' or some such on the containers of the grease and oils??
Thanks once more,
Skyhook
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Interesting. Comments, anyone??
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Sounds fair enough to me. I think this is another case where manufacturer bases their ''use by'' or ''best by'' dating based on absolute worst-case-scenario.
With even just sensible storage I'd say the shelf-life is much closer to infinite for most of us.
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I agree.
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Hello all,
If you're like me, and have had trouble finding SuperLube locally but were to lazy / paranoid to order it over the Net, I just thought I'd pass this along.
I was in Wal Mart this evening, and happened to notice in the sports section, with all the muzzle loader accessories, a "Thompson/Center Super Lube with PTFE." Looking on the back, in fine print, it says "Super Lube is a registered TM of Synco Chemical Company," so I am hoping it is the same Super Lube that we're talking about in this thread. Anyhow, I bought some and will try it.
Previously, I've been using an automotive grease with Moly (molybdenum disulfide), which works but is quite messy. At least PTFE is not black.
Albert
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Probably same stuff.
I am no tribologist but do consider that any high grade grease can be adequate - in particular if the gun is kept clean and well lubed properly.
There are many good greases available to us and while I wouldn't argue with the Rohrbaugh recommendation do not think that on a well maintained gun the use of another quality grease will lead to any troubles at all.
Letting gun get too dirty and fouled and so also chance of even good grease being excessively dispersed - is I reckon the major thing to avoid.
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I find that TetraGun grease and Rem Oil with Teflon works very well on my R-9.
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EdMan,
I thought you were having problems with your R9?
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Bigyimmy,
Good Question.
I had a craked slide that was not caused by the type of lube I use. Others on this forum who, I believe, use SuperLube have also had craked slide problems. Karl R admitted the cracked slide was due to "bad stainless steel bar stock." He did not mention that I was lubing the R-9 incorrectly.
My new slide seems to be working fine at this time. So far so good.
Ed
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I can't find SuperLube at the local Home Depot, so I'll order some on line. Not because TetraGun doesn't work, it does, but because SuperLube is a little less expensive. Also like with guns, you can never have too many different types of good lubricants. ;)
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EdMan,
Check it out at Ace Hardware, or some have said the comparative (Same) stuff may be had at Radio Shack.. ;)
I ordered mine thru the net as I am in a "small town" and could nopt find it..
Good luck..
Brenden
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I did post on here about Radio Shack. That is were I bought mine at. It is under a Radio Shack label and it has been verified as being the same thing from the same company.
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Thanks for the advice. I'll check Radio Shack tomorrow.
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I checked out Radio Shack and bought a 3oz. tube of their "Lube Gel" item number 64-2326 for $1.97. I think this is the same as "Super Lube". I've used it on my R9s and it seems to hold up better than the more expensive TetaGun grease that I have been using. So I'd say that "Super Lube" seems to work better on my Rohrbaubh R9s than TetaGun. Altough the salesman at Radio Shack said that they will not be selling this lube anymore.
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I checked out Radio Shack and bought a 3oz. tube of their "Lube Gel" item number 64-2326 for $1.97. I think this is the same as "Super Lube". I've used it on my R9s and it seems to hold up better than the more expensive TetaGun grease that I have been using. So I'd say that "Super Lube" seems to work better on my Rohrbaubh R9s than TetaGun. Altough the salesman at Radio Shack said that they will not be selling this lube anymore.
You are absolutely right, EdMan. It's identical stuff, private labeled. I bought another 2 more tubes, just in case I need a 6,000 year supply of the proper lubricants...
Steve
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If you don't want to be bothered with ordering over the internet http://www.super-lube.com/ , why not just call their toll-free number and talk to a real person? 800-253-LUBE (5823)?
I bought their big 14 ounce can for about $11.50 + shipping, & picked up a spray can at the local K-Mart. Over the past six or seven months I've discovered it's really as good as SYNCO claims it is. So I've been using it for everything from door hinges to handguns. At this rate, I'll need another can by next year. (I also gave away a couple of 35 mm film canisters-full to shooting friends.)
The spray is great for garage door hinges, springs, etc.
Great products. ;D
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it is best to take the slide off after every 50 to 80 rounds and give it a wipe down and some fresh lube.
Haven't seen this addressed, maybe it's supposed to be obvious...
Wipe it down how? Just, like, wipe off the old grease and put on new? Or actually clean everything with solvent first?
I'm also one of those that's curious about using Militec 1. Once properly heat-treated, it creates a surface slick enough that often you literally can just wipe off all the filth.
But I wonder if creating a surface that slick means the action of the gun could throw off any grease applied to that slick surface?
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sgtdraino,
Welcome to the forum. Please come back many times.
I don't have complete answers, but do use solvent before applying the grease again. After using Militec, the grease seemed to stay attached with no complications.
My only regret was getting Militec on the outside of the slide on a Glock, and the result was a very slippery surface making the slide harder to manipulate.
Bill
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sgt - welcome :)
The real crux of the matter IMO is the regularity of cleaning. I do find grease collects crud and so would want fresh quite often - whether to solvent clean or not is a moot point perhaps - I don't think it is essential but, if you look at the interstices, typically the inside edges of slide rail milling - you will see some hard-to-remove deposits of old grease.
I use tweezers with a small patch piece to run down there and remove the residue but solvent does do it quicker.
Once cleaned tho - lube up the pup per typically - the PDF file on the FAQ site (see my sig line) showing Eric doing just this - series of stills. There is a vid version too.
To reiterate - frequency of cleaning is the key - tho I am one who does consider some guns can be over cleaned to the point of excess - there is a middle ground with the pup which is essentially following recommendations.
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sgtdraino,
Welcome to the forum!!
Please check out the FAQ that Chris points out!!
It is a great guide to the care, and feeding of the pup!! ;)
Welcome again.. ;D
Brenden
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OK I am new to carrying a gun and to cleaning them (other than the M16A1 that I had to clean twice a year for 20 years).
I thought you were not wuppsoed to use grease on guns because it gathered dirt and grit.
I just finished cleaning my Kimber .45
Here is the way I cleaned it:
Take the gun apart and using a toothbrush dipped in Hoppes's number 9 solvent I brush every part of the gun I dip a bore brush in the solvent and run it through the barrel a few times in both directions. Then I wipe every piece with a diaper. then I spray every piece with Remington Rem Oil. put it back together and wipe it down one more time with the diaper, reload it, holster it.
Should I be doing something else??
So if I buy a R9 I will clean it the way this thread says but should i change how I clean my 1911??
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Hi Timmy - welcome (P95 here) - aka R9S!!!
The recommended method is grease but I have found grease to indeed be a crud collector even tho in theory its persistance is better than oil.
I prefer to clean and lube even more often and because I shoot only a small number of rounds in a session these days - am well happy with using Militech1 for slide - other areas very minute qty of Mobil1.
You will no doubt have seen my reply to you on CC.
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"Super Lube" company say's Ace Hardware,
& "True Value" carry their products...
E!
I used to get it a "Harbor Freight" (The ony thing worth purchasing there..!)
but they don't carry it anymore.
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Eric - take a peek on my FAQ - there is a scanned image of latest lube info.
Superlube, re slide at least, is out.
FAQ Site - new lube info (http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/rohrbaugh/basefile/takedown-pic.htm)
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The "official" PDF from Rohrbaugh's site says to use "quality gun oil". Perhaps the top post of this thread should be updated.
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True dan - things have changed.
Maybe Duane could consider closing this one and kicking off new - I can do that but it's his thread.