The viscosity rating of MILITEC-l worked out at 46.4 SAE. Viscosity tested in a standard oil viscosity cup at 20 ° C. As a general guide to gun oil 15 to 20 SAE is what would be expected so MILITEC-l is a somewhat thicker oil than the norm.

As the achievement of manufacturing a good quality lubricant is a comparatively simple task today, tests to show how good or poor an oil or grease performs in the lubrication of a simple mechanism, usually at emblem temperatures in firearms, was not pursued in our tests as we judge that data of this type will not be of significant interest to the average UK shooter.

Stage Three

Practical, or field testing.

This is the time when testing really begins. A rifle or pistol is cleaned of all previous traces of oil and solvents; treated with the test lube and used with all types of ammunition far beyond the normal cleaning cycle. Note is made of any falling off of accuracy. Observations are made of barrel condition to see if leading is becoming evident. In the case of a revolver which is the favoured test weapon, very soft wadcutter bullets slightly over barrel size are fired to promote heavy leading in the cylinder, forcing cone, barrel and inside the frame/barrel joint.

After this malevolent treatment careful cleaning is carried out. The time taken to restore the weapon to good order is recorded. Any damage to the finish of the weapon is noted.

Stainless steel and blued examples are tested simultaneously.

The results of the testing carried out to date suggest this is an excellent product to use in revolvers. Removal of lead and other detritus was improved by the use of MILITEC.

Protection afforded against rust in the oxidation tests was better than many more available products. Claims that velocity increased after barrels are treated with MILITEC were not pursued in our tests. We felt a little more powder was a more reliable way to increase feet per second in velocity if the need were to arise. This is not, of course, an option available to 22 rimfire shooters - unless you are Russian, with access to handloaded .22 ammunition!

The Author's "Westlake Supertwist 14" PPC revolver was used extensively for testing MILITEC-1. The revolver was thoroughly cleaned, de-leaded and degreased. The oil was applied as per the manufacturer's recommended techniques. The authors' favourite loads-of 3.1 grains of Winchester 231 ball powder behind a swayed 148 grain hollow based wadcutter, fired by Winchester standard small pistol primers was used in over 1,500 rounds of practice and competition firing.

The first cleaning took place after about 500 rounds. The revolver was just as dirty and greasy

This process was repeated twice more roughly each 500 rounds fired.

There was absolutely no doubt whatsoever that the lead and powder residue clung to the steel far less tenaciously than the authors had previously ever encountered, In particular, it was very noticeable that lead in the chambers was wiped away with very little effort. A good stiff brushing with the standard Parker-Hale Phosphor Bronze brushes, followed by running through with a MILITEC impregnated 4 by 2 on a jag, completely cleared away all the lead residue, and led the cylinders spotlessly clean and shining.

Similar cleansing was achieved in the barrel, and in general, all of the detritus to be found round the top strap, and in and around the crane were wiped off much more easily than was usual. MILITEC was judiciously applied to all clean surfaces, and the barrel and chambers were finally wiped through with a dry patch.

The authors possess a number of other pistols, and although their carbon fibre Hammerli 280 pistols were not used in the testing, a good selection of other revolvers and full bore auto pistols were used. A favourite load in .357 magnum is 5.8 grains of Unique behind a 158 grain Keith-type hard cast Howitzer semi-wadcutter bullet. This load teas proved to be very accurate in an ageing model 586, but it does produce a greasy residue. together with lead in the forcing cone of the barrel. Once more, MILITEC made short work of it all.

For semi automatic weapons the very thin film of MILITEC-1 as advised by the distributors showed that the oil adhered to slides and runners and was less likely to migrate and cause build-up of the products of combustion. An S&W model 4006 which digested a variety of loads of different powders and different bullets was used. No problems were encountered, and once more. cleaning and de-leading were achieved with the minimum of effort. To date no detrimental effect on synthetic grips has been noticed.

We must be honest and say that we did not notice any obvious reduction in group size, but as the authors are both experienced shots capable (on a good day) of grouping 10 shots, 38 special, in a 2" group at 25 metres, this was not surprising. However, again although an entirely judgmental view, both authors felt that group sizes remained smaller than expected when the pistols became very, very dirty.

Weapons used in test: various Smith & Wesson revolvers in .32, .38 and .357 calibre, S&W Autos in 9mm and 40 S&W; Ruger GP 100; 9mm Browning Hi-Power; Colt series 70 Gold Cup and 'ordinary' series 80 pistols in .45 ACP. All showed distinct evidence of easier cleaning, less lead adhesion and smoother and/or more reliable functioning, after the application of MILITEC-1.

In another country, quite a few miles from the UK, one of the authors had the opportunity to (legally!) fire venous fully automatic weapons.

Used in shooting that day were an UZI, a Sterling sub machine gun and the veritable AK 47. All benefited from the application of MILITEC, and cleaning was, in the view of the owner of these firearms, easier than would otherwise have been expected.

Summary

Overall MILITEC-1 weapons grade synthetic based metal conditioner (gun oil) proved to be an excellent product when applied to firearms of all types. Magna Exim, the importers, felt confident enough in their product to become sponsors at Pistol '95. Each winner of a pistol also received a bottle of MILITEC, and in addition, the victorious GB team in the GB vs Germany International received a bottle each. These winners at the National Pistol Association's Showpiece event, Anno Domini may be surprised when they try out the product on their newly acquired toys.

The maker's claim MILITEC enters the surface of metals to become part of the surface structure. To prove or disprove this claim would need the use of an electron microscope. This apparatus was not available to the author. MILITEC does have the ability to remain detectable on firearms. fingers and clothing after very frugal application. We were impressed with the lasting tenacity of the oil. Some evidence of MILITEC remained on the treated surfaces of all the firearms after many visits to the range!

Cost of product: RRP £4.95 per I fl oz bottle (+ 50p post and packing for mail order from the importers).

Availability: sole importers are Magna Exim Ltd. 79 Thames Street, Sunbury-on-Thames. Miiddlesex. TW16 6AD. Tel: 01932 765079 or Fax: 01932 771422. Trade and Retail inquires are, as they say, welcome at the above address.

Personal view: A number of new specialised lubricants have appeared on the market in the last three or four years. All are good; some are very good, and a few are quite superb. MILITEC falls into this last category, and in our view, given its inherent qualities as described above together with the fact that the panicles are held in a true solution, and not a colloidal suspension which required vigorous shaking of the container before application. it is the best we have used so far.

Space in our shooting boxes has been found for a number of top quality synthetic lubricants recently, and MILITEC now takes pride of place. Once we have exhausted what remains in the test sample bottles, we may even buy some more what better endorsement can a product have?

We would like to express our grateful thanks to Dontec Systems without whose technical support, this test would not have been possible.