Best Gun Oil, CLP, and Grease [2026]
There are a lot of gun oils -- each one saying they are the best. Here are our picks after trying out almost all of them...and shooting tons of rounds.
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When your guns, knives, and gear run smoothly, they're reliable, and getting them to run smoothly starts with the right gun oil, grease, or CLP (clean, lube, protect).
Not all lubes and greases are created equal. Some keep your gun running smoother for longer, and some prevent corrosion and rust better than others. If you own even one gun, you can benefit from quality gun oil.
We have put numerous oils, lubes, and greases to the test over many years, hundreds of guns, and tens of thousands of rounds to find out which ones actually work the best in real-world conditions.
So strap in as we look at some old favorites and newer contenders to see what performs best!
TL;DR: M-Pro 7 LPX is our top pick for standard gun oil. It has very high lubricity, doesn't gum up over time, works in a wide range of temperatures, and lasts for a long time. Ballistol is safe to use on guns with wood stocks and is a great multipurpose CLP, making it another favorite of ours. For heavy-duty applications where grease is required or recommended, our go-to is Mil-Comm TW25B.
The Quick List
- Editor's Pick: M-Pro 7 LPX Gun OilJump to Details ↓
- Best Oil for High-Volume Shooting: Lucas Extreme Duty Gun OilJump to Details ↓
- Classic Choice: Hoppe’s No. 9 Gun OilJump to Details ↓
- Longest-Lasting CLP: Slip 2000 EWLJump to Details ↓
- Best All-Purpose CLP: Ballistol Multi-Purpose Aerosol CLPJump to Details ↓
- Least Mess: Break Free CLP WipesJump to Details ↓
- Best Dry Lube: Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner and LubeJump to Details ↓
- Best Gun Grease: Mil-Comm TW25B GreaseJump to Details ↓
Table of Contents
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How We Tested the Best Gun Oil, CLP, and Grease
Various Pew Pew Tactical staff members and contributing writers provided input for this article. Between us, we clean, lube, and maintain hundreds of different firearms, both personal and test guns.
We have extensive hands-on experience with every product on this list over the course of many years.
Our team and our writers have a wide range of shooting disciplines and are spread throughout the US. We have tested these products in conditions ranging from shooting machine guns in the scorching 100-degree heat to hunting in sub-zero temperatures.
We based our picks on the following criteria: overall lubricity, longevity once applied, dirt and moisture resistance, corrosion and rust prevention, cleaning effectiveness, how safe it is for the gun's finish, and price.
How to Choose Between Gun Oil, CLP, or Grease
Different maintenance and cleaning products achieve different things, so which one is right for you?
Gun Oil
Straight oil is best for general lubrication to keep your gun functioning properly. It's fast and easy to apply to areas like slide rails, springs, trigger mechanisms, bolts, pins, and anywhere there is moving friction between two surfaces.
It is a good idea to regularly keep your gun lubed to prevent excess wear and potential malfunctions. Keep in mind that pure gun oil is not a cleaner, only a lubricant. You still need to clean your gun at certain intervals to prevent carbon and debris buildup.
CLP
CLP, or clean, lube, protect, is your true all-in-one quick solution. As the name implies, it does all three steps. It contains chemicals that break down carbon buildup to clean surfaces, while leaving a film that acts as both a lubricant and a protective element to prevent moisture and rust.
While this may sound like the only thing you need, you shouldn't solely rely on it. Dedicated oils often last longer as both a lubricant and a rust preventative than all-in-one mixes.
Grease
Gun grease can be considered a direct alternative to oil for certain applications. Some people prefer greasing heavy friction areas, such as slide rails, bolt carrier grooves, cams, and similar surfaces, because grease stays in place longer and is more heat-resistant.
The biggest downside is that dust, sand, and other debris can stick to greased areas much more easily than to oiled surfaces. Some people avoid grease entirely for this reason, but it largely depends on the shooter, their shooting conditions, and their cleaning regimen.
Best Gun Oils
1. M-Pro 7 LPX - Editor's Pick
Quick Verdict: The M-Pro 7 LPX line of oil from Hoppe's is a top pick for us. It lasts a long time, stays slick, doesn't gum up, and provides great corrosion and rust resistance.
Why We Love It
When using M-Pro 7 LPX, there was a light odor in the air, but not in a bad way; some might say it was nostalgic. The smell reminded me of touring the inside of a battleship.
The consistency and color were similar to coconut milk, and I found it easy to apply across various knives and guns.
M-Pro 7 LPX has kept all my guns running well without having to worry about excessive cleaning or reapplication. Whenever you wipe an applied area down, it leaves it with a nice, light, and clean shine.
2. Lucas Extreme Duty Gun Oil - Best Oil for High-Volume Shooting
Quick Verdict: Lucas Extreme Duty Gun Oil is a favorite among high-volume shooters for its slightly thicker, longer-lasting formula. However, you may want to avoid this oil if you operate firearms in near- or sub-zero temperatures.
Why We Love It
Lucas Oil is well known in the automotive industry, but did you know they also dabble in the firearms realm?
This oil is fairly thick, which helps it stay put better than thinner oils. I have also found that the thicker formula keeps it from cooking off as fast during high-round-count, high-heat sessions.
I also really like that the smaller bottles come with a very fine needle-like applicator. It is great for adding drops of oil to really hard-to-reach places without making a mess.
While Lucas Extreme Duty Oil is highly regarded, some people have reported it gumming up in extreme cold. We are talking temperatures of zero degrees or less. If it doesn't get that cold where you are, you will be well-served by Lucas, assuming you can put up with the less-than-pleasant chemical smell.
3. Hoppe's No. 9 Gun Oil - Classic Choice
Quick Verdict: Hoppe's No. 9 has been a staple in many a gun cleaning kit for well over a century. It's cheap, effective, and readily available. While it isn't the pinnacle of hard-use lube, it is perfect for light oiling and rust prevention.
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Why We Love It
Hoppe's 9 is the definition of “If it ain't broke, don’t fix it.” The standard Hoppe's No. 9 in the iconic orange bottle has been around since 1903 and has proven its merit time and time again.
It has a distinct floral, banana, and petroleum smell. For many people, Hoppe's No. 9 has a familiar, nostalgic, and oddly pleasant smell. Just make sure your work area is well-ventilated, or you may develop a nasty headache if you oil and clean for more than a few minutes.
It is a thin oil that works well for most applications, but especially for small things like springs, trigger bars, and other tiny nooks and crannies.
I have used Hoppe's on various guns since I was a young lad, and it's never let me down as long as I made sure it didn't dry out over long periods.
If you don't run heavy shooting schedules and just want something standard and reliable for general maintenance, Hoppe's No. 9 is tough to beat.
Best CLP
4. Slip 2000 EWL - Longest-Lasting CLP
Quick Verdict: This is a 100% synthetic, completely non-toxic, safe CLP that can go a long time between applications and works effectively across an extremely wide temperature range.
Why We Love It
This oil made it on the list because of its unique, non-toxic, non-hazardous, and biodegradable attributes.
So many things these days seem “toxic,” and if you’re trying to remove that from everything in your life, including gun lube, Slip 2000 EWL is the way to go.
It is 100% synthetic and is well-known for lasting a very long time. I am talking like 2,000+ rounds before you need to reapply it. It is also rated for an extreme temperature range of -85°F to 1250°F.
Slip 2000 EWL has worked exceedingly well in my guns without issues, leaving a nice, mild shine. It has a slightly thinner viscosity that lets it creep into tight spaces, but it isn't so thin that it all weeps out.
Interestingly enough, I thought the non-toxic, biodegradable stuff would smell funny, but it didn’t smell like much at all. If you ask around, you are bound to run into multiple shooters that have Slip 2000 in their top spot.
5. Ballistol - Best All-Purpose CLP
Quick Verdict: Ballistol is a time-proven all-in-one aerosol CLP spray that is safe for use on metal, wood, leather, and most plastics, making it perfect for just about any and every firearm.
Why We Love It
Of all the products on this list, Ballistol is hands down the best at cleaning any surface I need to clean.
In addition to being an excellent cleaner, Ballistol has proven to be an effective lubricant and is pretty solid at staving off rust and moisture. It doesn't leave a greasy film or any weird residue, which is nice because it is an aerosol spray that is a bit tough to be precise with.
Interestingly, Ballistol can be used on everything, from leather to wood or metal surfaces, without a problem. Many standard oils and other cleaners can permanently darken or stain wood stocks, making Ballistol a great choice for maintaining and cleaning those classic-style guns.
I do have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Ballistol because it works well, but smells absolutely awful. Definitely make sure you have a window open or a fan running for this one.
Like Hoppe's, Ballistol has been around for over 100 years and has cemented its spot on this list with its time-proven formula.
6. Break Free CLP Wipes - Least Mess
Quick Verdict: These CLP wipes are perfect for quick and easy cleaning and lubing without the excess mess that can come from standard oils and greases.
Why We Love It
In addition to oil-based and aerosol-type CLPs, there are CLP wipes.
These CLP wipes from Break Free let you quickly clean any surface without needing messy oils, brushes, or extra rags. Simply wipe the surface a few times, flip the wipe over, and hit it a few more times.
The first time I tried these, I was worried they would be overly dry and not provide much cleaning effect. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the wipes are well-soaked in CLP and don't tear when you use them.
They have done a great job cleaning every surface I have used them on, from dirty guns to knives with duct tape residue on them (wiped right off).
I find that these have a faint odor of cardboard, followed by a pleasant aroma of almond-flavored coffee. It's a funny smell to come from a gun lube, but I love coffee, so I won't complain.
These are perfect for super quick on-the-go cleaning. Just make sure to keep the lid sealed tight because they can dry out if exposed to air.
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7. Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner & Lube - Best Dry Lube
Quick Verdict: The Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner cleans surprisingly well, and the dry-lube technology leaves behind a mess-free film that leaves your gun feeling super smooth. If you hate gun oils that seep out or drip everywhere, this is a great alternative.
Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner and LubeWhy We Love It
Despite coming from a popular manufacturer, Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner and Lube almost feels like a well-kept secret when it comes to gun maintenance. I almost never hear anyone talk about it.
Hornady One Shot comes in a decent-sized can, and you simply spray this aerosol formula on, watch the carbon and grime come off, and then it leaves behind a protective layer that lubes and protects your gun.
It sprays on slightly wet at first, then sets into a dry film almost instantly. The dry lube means very little oil runoff, and it attracts almost no dirt or debris. It is also much cleaner to apply. If you use the provided nozzle and a bit of finger discipline, you can lube your gun and not even have any excess to wipe off.
I have used dry lubes in the past with little to no luck, as most of them either dry up quickly or turn into a terribly tacky residue in short order. However, Hornady One Shot does neither and actually leaves my guns feeling particularly smooth when I run them.
If you don't like oily messes and worry about CLP wipes drying out over time, this stuff is your ticket.
Best Grease
8. Mil-Comm TW25B - Best Gun Grease
Quick Verdict: Used by the military and can stand up in harsh environments. This grease is medium-density but works well.
Why We Love It
Mil-Comm TW25B grease is fielded by every branch of the US military and is commonly used as a lubricant for everything from handguns to LMGs to miniguns, and is even used by Boeing for some of their aircraft applications.
TW25B is a synthetic, fluoropolymer (PTFE) lubricant. It comes out of the small tube in medium-density white grease and is nice and slippery.
The grease doesn’t smell too bad and leaves a dry-ish appearance on surfaces after being rubbed in.
This lubricant resists migration very well and stays put, which greatly increases part life by keeping everything operating smoothly with minimal friction.
An interesting fact about Mil-Comm is that they boast their grease can keep metal parts moving in temperatures as low as -90 degrees.
This stuff is used in some of the harshest military conditions out there, and is about as good as any grease on the market. This edges out Lucas Oil Extreme Duty Grease for us.
FAQs
Final Thoughts
Having at least one of each type of maintenance item is the way to go. I can tell you that I now keep a small bottle of M-Pro 7 in my go-bag, but I still have some CLP and grease in my general cleaning kit.
Any of the above recommendations should work, but you should always experiment and find what works best for you.
Either way, make sure you have at least something on hand — gun maintenance is important!
Got any thoughts about gun oil, CLP, or grease? What’s your preferred product? Let me know in the comments below! Looking for other related products? Check out our picks for Best Gun Cleaning Kits!
Meet the Experts
This article was written by Pew Pew Tactical author Joshua Fox. Joshua is well-versed in a multitude of weapon platforms thanks to training and experience from some of the best shooters across Texas. He stays on top of his game through national competitions involving firearms and fitness.
Editing and adding to this article is Wyatt Sloan, Pew Pew Tactical Editor and Senior Review Analyst. Wyatt is an NRA and USCCA-certified instructor with previous experience as a competitive shooter. Wyatt owns over 200 firearms, all of which he personally maintains. He also has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. He has used his extensive experience with firearms at large to test guns, gear, and ammo for Pew Pew Tactical — evaluating them based on our standards and metrics.
Latest Updates
- September 2026: Removed Militec-1, added Hornady One Shot Cleaner & Lube. Replaced M-Pro 7 Gun Cleaner with M-Pro 7 LPX. Restructured article and added information on how we tested each product.
- September 2023: Complete overhaul with new products based on recent testing.