Fort Riley soldier's idea keeps weapons working

The Witicha Eagle ^ | Apr. 05, 2003 | TIM POTTER

[B4Ranch]

	Posted on Sat, Apr. 05, 2003
	Fort Riley soldier's idea keeps weapons working An oil-based lubricant for guns is like a magnet for dust and sand in the desert. One soldier found a synthetic substitute. BY TIM POTTER The Wichita Eagle FORT RILEY - As they head to war in Iraq, the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 13th Armor, carry 1-ounce bottles of orange liquid that could save their lives. They contain a synthetic lubricant that keeps pistols, rifles and machine guns working in the desert sand and dust, which can coat, clog and wear any mechanism. The tank battalion, part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, kept hearing reports of weapons malfunctioning in desert training. The problem, said battalion commander Lt. Col. Frank Sherman, is that the oil-based lubricant the Army usually uses seems to attract dust and sand in desert conditions. Sherman credited Staff Sgt. Julian Tobin for taking the initiative to solve the problem for their battalion. Tobin tried to downplay his involvement, saying he was only following up on officers' good ideas. He searched the Internet and found a product called Militec-1, advertised as a "synthetic-based metal conditioner." Some other units already in Iraq have started using it, he said. Although the synthetic lubricant is moist when applied, it dries as it bonds with metal, which prevents it from drawing as much dust and sand as the oil-based lubricant. The change, Tobin said, could determine whether a bullet casing fully ejects or a round properly engages in a firing mechanism. More than half the approximately 500 soldiers in Sherman's tank unit work in support of the tanks. They are logistics experts, mechanics and clerks, working without armored plating to shield them. Their lives, Sherman said, could depend on whether their M-16s fire dependably.

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© 2003 The Wichita Eagle and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.kansas.com

[B4Ranch]

Well, now the rest of the world is finding out why our weapons weren't covered in dust and malfunctioning out in the desert war conditions of Iraq.

Even the best of secrets can't be held forever. LOL

[B4Ranch]

Are you ordering any more now that the 1st Armored Division admits to using Militec-1 on their .50's?

[bucephalus]

I spent a couple of years ar Ft Riley and dust was known to kick up there. Glad one of the 1st ID troops was able to help the guys out in the big sandbox.

[Larry Lucido]

Al Gore invented synthetic lubricants in his spare time, but he's too modest to take credit.

[CPOSharky]

Gore? Modest?

Yeah, right.

[Welsh Rabbit]

ROTFLMAO! Now I forgot what was going to post....

[B4Ranch]

Clinton uses tobacco juice and saliva.

[Junior]

...in Sherman's tank unit...

Interesting combination of words...

[Larry Lucido]

It's true! Surely you're aware of the picture of him testing his invention in Vietnam.

[B4Ranch]

I don't see a mag in the M-16. Unsafe? I doubt it.

[joesnuffy]

Actually it is very common for a round to be in the chamber even after a mag has been taken out..retract the bolt and visually inspect the chamber...and stick your finger into the opening making doubley sure there was no round left in the chamber..
Not that Al Gore ever figured out what a chamber or a bolt was on his...an obvious doofus..of the highest magnitude along with his mentor Bill "wrong end of the binocs" Clowntin

[Larry Lucido]

I've looked down the barrels of plenty of M16's. But they were always separated from the lower receiver first.

[E.Allen]

That attitude has killed more uninformed people and their unfortunate friends than you would believe.

CHECK THE CHAMBER, CHECK THE CHAMBER CHECK THE CHAMBER,

Now it's safe

[Servant of the Nine]

One of the FOX embedded cameras is showing film of an M2-HB 50 that is jamming consistently after every 2 shots. Seems like everyone hasdn't gotten the goodies.

I have been using a similar 2 part dry lube from Brownells for several years. It keeps carry pistols from picking up lint as well as dust and sand.

So9

[doug from upland]

Hey, it is time for some crates of this stuff to come compliments of FR.

[doug from upland]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

CCOOMNL (coffee coming out of my nose laughing)---- on his site --- "Frenchies and Germans not welcome"

[B4Ranch]

From looking at the picture I can't tell if the bolt is open or closed but I would have my doubts a combat grunt is going to do something that stupid as having a round in the chamber while he's adjusting the sling. Also, I don't see anything close to the trigger that looks hazardous. We all know the rules of safety and common sense.

[B4Ranch]

I have seen that clip also and wondered what the situation was. Sand grains mixed into the belt?

[B4Ranch]

I'm sure they would appreciate it. CLP really sucks in my book.