Have one in shop for new barrel installation and refinishing. When I disassembled the buffer I found the cups and cones bathed in what looked like gear oil. I've searched several US Ordnance manuals but can't find any reference to using oil in the buffer. Any old Army armorers here that can tell me about this? I'd like to know wh the oil, what kind of oil, and how much to put in.

Hi, I think what you need is a can of "machine gun oil'. Came in 1 Qt flat cans, have not seen any in about 5 years. Contact the current makers of M-2 .50 guns, they can tell you what they are using. Call Ft. Bliss and ask for the S-4 shop, they can tell what is being used today. for the

John,

Have you looked at this one? :

http://www.90thidpg.us/Referen...M%2023-20%201940.pdf

Yes, sure have. I've looked at both WWII vintage and Vietnam era government ordnance manuals and they don't call for any kind of oil bath like I found in this rifle. I plan to follow the instructions I found in them.

Finished the work today. Not one reference I found even remotely mentioned oil in the buffer so I just put a little ATF on the parts. Test fired with 192 rounds of Lake City ball ammo; most fun thing to shoot I've ever shot. Everyone should have one!

quote:

most fun thing to shoot I've ever shot. Everyone should have one!

agreed