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Avoid Firearms Lubes Containing PTFE (Teflon) ?

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ChrisD46

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
There are a number of popular firearms oils and greases that contain PTFE (Teflon) such as Breakfree CLP , Mill-Com TW-25B grease , Tetra , Birch Casey and a host of others .
Based on research , there are three main issues in order of concern with using firearms lubes which contain PTFE :

  1. PTFE when used in a firearms barrel can experience high enough heat to cause PTFE to form a hydrofluoric acid gas vapor that can cause corrosion and micro cracks in barrels thus shortening their life.
  2. Ditto for breathing in hydrofluoric acid fumes which have serious health concerns .
  3. Using lubes containing PTFE can cause accuracy issues by laying down in unpredictable patchy spots within a barrel once heated .
*PTFE (teflon) begins to breakdown at temps above 450 degrees F and form hydrofluoric acids. A firearms barrel can generate temps as high as 1000 degree F. (especially near the barrel chamber) .... This simple answer would be simply do not use lubes containing PTFE inside of the barrel - only use PTFE based lubes on : slides , connectors , possibly barrel lugs and possibly the last third of the barrel which contacts the slide shroud as they should not reach temps above 450 degrees F in a semi auto hand gun . The outside of a barrel (lug and last third of the barrel) act as a heat sink and should not reach as a high a temp as the inside of the barrel (but I would want to know for sure).

Additional PTFE Notes (from other blogs) :

  • Lubricating solids (PTFE) in the bore are a variable that cannot be controlled and hence are avoided by serious precision shooters and snipers.
  • The argument is that the PTFE leaves a inconsistent layer on the bore surface leaving bare steel in spots with a layer of smeared PTFE in spots. Therefore, causing inconsistent pressures and wear within the bore. This is also the case that is claimed to cause accuracy issues.
  • I can see the points that some make about PTFE. Then there's the concern about the creation of hydrofluoric acid when the PTFE burns at temps above 450 degrees F. which could corrode or cause micro cracks inside of barrels. from the hydrofluoric acid formed when PTFE exceeds it's temp rating (above 450 ~ 500 degrees F.)
*I'm sure there are pros & cons to the above information : Where I stand is why take a chance on using a PTFE based lube on the inside of the barrel (if someone has a heat gauge to measure the outside of a Glock barrel after a couple of magazines shot in succession then that would be helpful) . Most likely , using a PTFE based lube should be ok to use on the barrel lug and last third of the outer barrel surface BUT I would want to know more about actual barrel temps reached first. The slides and connectors should be fine to use a PTFE based lubes . I was a fan of Super Lube with Syncon (PTFE) but now will be using FP-10 , buying Clenzoil oil , or Slip 2000 in oil & grease specifically in / on the barrel because they do not contain PTFE . (of course , there may be other good firearms lubes which do not contain PTFE) .

Your thoughts on one side or the other argument on firearms lubes with PTFE listed as part of the ingredients and would you use them ?
 
#2 ·
If you make it a habit to read the Safety Data Sheets ... :eek:

Joking aside, follow the basic safety precautions on any products you use.

I've been using products with PTFE for decades. Little late to worry about the effects. No damage noted in any of the firearms, yet.

That said, while I have an interesting assortment of lubricants, CLP's and solvents, over the course of the last 10-15 years I've increasingly come to favor the newer synthetics that are non-toxic and don't smell. Doesn't mean I may not use some of the other products, at one time or another, though.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I’ve used Mil-comm TW25b grease for over a decade and put 50-100k rounds through several GLOCKs that had it in the barrel followed by a dry patch before shooting. It did nothing to the guns‘ accuracy nor did it crack or degrade the barrels. On numerous occasions I’d shoot 500-1000 rounds in single training session with no observable negative effects. Mil-Comm’s products are also approved by the military in several countries and used on several systems. Given how long their products have been on the market and how widely used they are, one would think if it were a problem there would have been reports on it by now.

This is from Mil-Comm’s product safety advisory on it’s website:

”One component of our lubricant products is “PTFE” (Polytetrafluoroethylene) in micro-particle form. There is reporting that PTFE used at extreme high temperature can emit toxic HF gas and toxic residue. MIL-COMM’s unique formulations are engineered to prevent HF issues. As documented to the satisfaction of the U.S. Air Force in independent laboratory testing, TW25B® and its derivatives pose no danger of PTFE outgassing or residue at any temperature. Further, the U.S. chemical industry has acted to make PTFE more environmentally friendly by discontinuing the use of a material known as PFOA in the manufacture of PTFE.”

MIL-COMM Products Privacy Policy

Who we are, what personal data we collect and why we collect it.
mil-comm.com mil-comm.com
 
#5 ·
Little late to worry about the effects.

What about the billions of "Teflon" (or equivalent, PTFE) coated pans and cookware everyone in the world has been using since Teflon was invented (1938) - used to cook eggs and brown meat (450F-- hahahaha) ??

Better just to use olive oil. Works about as well.
 
#8 ·
selogic said:
Something else to obsess over ....nope .
Click to expand...
Beat to death over the years and nothing has come of the potential ''issues'' that lubricants containing PTFE might cause. I'll find something else to obsess over like the latest wear marks on my barrel. ;)
 
#15 ·
My wife cooks stir fries at high temp, and she uses peanut oil and a steel wok (not teflon coated) because the teflon would burn off and the the oil doesn't smoke at the temps she cooks at. For low heat, we'd use olive oil in a teflon coated pan. Why say this? Because I'm not so worried about the fumes or corrosion with a gun oil, I'm only interested that it continues to do the same job in the same form as it was intended to do under expected conditions. And yes, PTFE no longer a lubricant at 450-500F.
 
#17 ·
I’ve heard good, bad, and questionable things about PTFE for many years. I figure it’s cheap and it works because many a wonder lube/cleaner/do all products have it in their formula. As someone already said, I’m starting to use products that are plant based or at least less hazardous. They may take longer to work but I’ve got more patience and time than I used to have.
 
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#20 ·
Doc Holliday said:
Everything you eat, drink or breath will kill you eventually. Accept the fact that you won't live forever.
Click to expand...
The way this country is going? Thank God!
 
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