I read in one of the airgun forums today about using silicone oil, like that used in RC car shocks. I have quite a lot of this oil in different weights that I use for other things (not RC cars I mean).
Is it safe for Crosman airguns? Is it known to ruin any type of modern airgun seals? I vaguely remember years ago that the Crosman Pellgunoil said silicone on it, can't remember if it was before the red stuff or not. I know there are other good oils, but this RC silicone stuff can be had relatively cheaply and is of very high quality, and more to the point I already have it! Thanks.
Oil Again
I did a little "research" in the McMaster-Carr catalog.
The only common types of seals silicone lubricants are poor for are polyurethane, neoprene and worst of all for silicone. I don't know if there'd be any of those in an airgun.
It looks like by far the best lubricant for seals of the types I do know are in most airguns would be ASTM oil #1, whatever that is... However, it is awful for EPDM seals and some airguns do have those, but not most. I believe the Mark I uses one of those in the CO2 piercing cap, least the old models with the lever. And any CO2 gun with an external supply could potentially have EPDM seals, probably a custom job and you'd know. If you don't know use the silicone oil, seems perfectly safe.
Pure silicone oil is available in weights from 10 to 7000 from hobby shops. Obviously 7000 would be like glue, so you don't want that! Something around 30W would make sense, weights between 10 and 100 should find some use.
The only common types of seals silicone lubricants are poor for are polyurethane, neoprene and worst of all for silicone. I don't know if there'd be any of those in an airgun.
It looks like by far the best lubricant for seals of the types I do know are in most airguns would be ASTM oil #1, whatever that is... However, it is awful for EPDM seals and some airguns do have those, but not most. I believe the Mark I uses one of those in the CO2 piercing cap, least the old models with the lever. And any CO2 gun with an external supply could potentially have EPDM seals, probably a custom job and you'd know. If you don't know use the silicone oil, seems perfectly safe.
Pure silicone oil is available in weights from 10 to 7000 from hobby shops. Obviously 7000 would be like glue, so you don't want that! Something around 30W would make sense, weights between 10 and 100 should find some use.