PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-679
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 679
JUNE 2009
24
PS 679
JUN 09
Dear Sergeant J.D.,
Sure can. Small arms lubricants differ in viscosity (how easily they flow), chemical
composition and heat resistance. These characteristics dictate which lubricant to
use according to the environmental conditions. Generally, your -10 TM is the best
guide for lubricants, but here are some general guidelines to help you take care of
your weapons:
RBC
(rifle bore cleaner) is not a lubricant, it’s strictly for cleaning out carbon
and powder from the chamber and bore. Save it for really tough cleaning jobs.
Remember when you’re Fnished using it you still need to lube your weapon.
CLP
(cleaner, lubricant, preservative)
is usually the best choice for taking
care of your weapon since it cleans,
lubes, and preserves in one step.
LSA
(lubricant, semi-fluid, automatic weapons) and
LSA-T
(lubricant, semi-fluid,
automatic weapons with Teflon) are strictly lubricants. So before using them, you
Frst have to clean your weapon with dry cleaning solvent, MIL-PR±-680 Type II.
Always de-grease thoroughly when changing lubes.
CLP and LSA can be used on most weapons as long as the temperature is -10°±
or higher. When the temperature drops below 10°±, you can use
LAW
(lubricating
oil, arctic, weapons). If it’s below -10°±, use only LAW on most weapons.
There are exceptions, though. ±or the
M249
machine gun
and the
M3 recoiless rifle
, use
only CLP regardless of the temperature.
On the
M231 fring port weapon
, don’t use
CLP. Use only LSA in normal conditions and
LAW in extreme cold.
±or the
MK 19
, never use CLP–it’s not strong
enough. Use
GMD
(grease, molybdenum
disulFde) if you can get it. If you can’t, use
LSA or LSA-T. If the temperature drops to 0°±
or below, it’s OK to use LAW.
Dear Half-Mast,
The -10 TMs for our small arms list a number of lubes and/or
cleaners for our weapons, but many of us aren’t exactly sure what
the differences are among them. Can you help?
SGT J.D.
When you’re lubing, remember a
light lube means a Flm barely visible to
the eye. A heavy lube means a Flm thick
enough to spread with your Fnger.
If you need the NSNs for these
lubricants and cleaners, see your -10
TM or Page 23 in PS 671 (Oct 08) at
archives/PS2008/671/671-23.pdf
What’s the
Difference
in Lubes?
Small Arms…
What’s the
Difference
in Lubes?
so many
cleaning
and lubing
choices.
I just
don’t know
what’s best
for me!
let me
see if I
can help.
clp is
usually
the best
for your
weapon.
use only clp
on your m249
machine gun.
but
don’t
use clp on
your mk 19.
use
gmd,
lsa, or
lsa-t.
679.24-25.indd
1-2
5/4/09
5:28:06 PM
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