Product Review: Muscle Corp. Lubes
Recently I got a chance to try out a new product; new to me, at least. I obtained, through a fellow named C.J. Boggs, of C.J. Distributing, some "high tech lubricants" made by Muscle Products Corporation. Their products, containing something called "MT-10", are billed as cleaners, lubricants, and protectants all in one. After reading through the large sheaf of positive testimonials, I decided I'd try a few of these and see if they performed as promised.
"Firepower" FP-10 is billed as a rust inhibiting penetrant that also cleans and prevents leading in gun barrels. I got a one-ounce bottle of the stuff, and immediately put it to use. I had just gotten a couple of old beat-up guns, and taken them out and shot them. The first was an old 22 semi-automatic rifle, and I had already cleaned it with my old friend, Hoppe's No. 9 Nitro Solvent.
After putting about 180 rounds through the gun, I tore it down and proceeded to super-clean it again. I started with FP-10, but after one or two patches, which seemed to be cutting the fouling slowly, I turned back to the Hoppe's.
Due to the relative low price of ammo for the 22, shooting a large number of rounds is fairly common, resulting in very heavy powder fouling. I found that the FP-10 wasn't very efficient in cutting the fouling, but it's an excellent lubricant and protectant. After a thorough cleaning, I was ready to reassemble the gun. I used both the FP-10 and "Power Lift" PL-10 grease on the trigger group and the rest of the action, and was very favorably impressed. (Please see the addendum at the end of this review for more info on this grease.
Since I was working on this rifle on the day before turkey season opened, I went ahead and tore down my automatic shotgun, as well. This gun had an action spring that just seemed too dang light, and I'd had problems in the past getting the bolt to close completely with just that spring pressure. After lubing the action with FP-10 in the hard-to-reach areas, and PL-10 on all bearing surfaces, the action is slicker than I've ever seen it, and I've tried several different greases before. This is very good stuff.
"Reel Power" RP-10 is designed to be used on your fishing reels. When I first received the products, I figured that this would just be FP-10 in a different bottle, but apparently I was mistaken. It has a slightly different smell and a different color, but it's every bit as good as FP-10.
On a recent week-long fishing trip, we had a steady rain for two nights and all day. My fishing gear stayed in the boat through it all, but I had oiled my reels thoroughly with RP-10. I could detect no lack of performance due to the inclement weather, and both of the old reels I took with me were greatly improved by the use of RP-10.
I also used it on a couple pocketknives, my Leatherman tool, and a camper doorknob that we had to rebuild. All worked beautifully afterward, and I don't think my Leatherman has ever worked so smoothly. The Leatherman tool had been found by a guy I know, and since he already had one, he gave it to me. It was a bit rusty (yes, stainless steel can rust) after being buried for who-knows-how-long, and I had oiled it profusely while cleaning it up. But it never had worked as well as it did when I hit it with a few drops of RP-10.
In summary, these lubes are as good as I've ever seen, and better than most. While I believe that you would have a hard time finding any better lubes, I can't testify that they're good cleaners. They'll probably work okay for cleaning, but I feel that some Nitro Solvent or WD-40 will serve you more cost-effectively for cleaning.
Addendum
I need to revisit my use of PL-10 grease to lube the action of my 22 auto rifle (see 2nd paragraph in the above article). I then shot between one hundred and two hundred rounds through it, and propped it in the ol' gun vault. I recently got it out to clean it, and was appalled at the mess! That grease had converted to some of the nastiest filth I've ever seen in a gun. It was no longer grease, but an extension of the heavy fouling. Randy Hill of CJ Distributing has since notified me that the grease is intended only for long-term storage, so don't make the same mistake I did!
- Russ Chastain
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