Oil vs Grease
 

I have the frame off the stock of my lifter. The locks, trigger plate, trigger guard have been removed for a thorough cleaning in lacquer thinner placed in an ultra sonic. Everything has come out very clean so far. I used compressed air to dry the parts and sprayed them down with WD 40. My question is do I grease the internal lock Assembly or oil it before I put it all back together? Or does it matter? Thanks

I would never use WD40 on a gun, it dries to a hard varnish. I'd use a good oil such as Rem Oil or Balistoil and blow out the residual with air. Then reassemble. Grease only on the locking lug and frame knuckle.

Chuck's correct about WD-40. It's good for a lot of things but it is not a lubricant. I'd clean all of that off first and then use some good suitable oil.

OK, To prove I am a odd ball I have been washing gun actions and blowing dry with air with WD-40 for decades. And I have never found any yellow geck of this residue that it leaves behind. Then I use oil on pins and grease on the places where metal rubs metal. If you take care of your gun I think you could use WD-40 all over it. I suppose if you squirted it down and left it for years it may happen. No disrespect to the people who posted above just my finite obersavtion.

Get that WD40 thoroughly cleaned out with the lacquer thinner and hose the internal parts and the frame down with Ballistol and let them drip dry. It will stay on but will remain as a very very light grease layer that will last for years and never run off. The WD40 will harden to a varnish like goo that glues everything up. Nasty stuff. Good for some things but has no place in any gun in my book.I use wheel bearing grease on the hook/hinge pin and on the surface of the rear lug where the bolt slides to lock it up. Works very well.

My guns are treated like Rich's except I use "Super Lube" on the hinge and bolt.

wd 40 is for displacing water it is a very poor lube best

I probably should have clarified that I treated with WD40 only as a temporary rust inhibitor. Before I reassemble I'll thoroughly clean it off. I was looking for info on where to apply the grease or oil. All respondents have been very helpful as usual. Thanks,
Mike

Water Dispersant 40 Days

I have seen metal parts of various kinds rust in a pool of WD40. There are very few uses for this product in my humble opinion.