‘Smith Myth Busted: Do You Really Need to Lubricate an AR’s BCG?

Brownells has a YouTube video series called “Smyth Busters,” in which they discuss gunsmith myths. And this time, it’s about lubrication in AR-style rifles, also known as MSRs.

Do you need to lubricate the bolt carrier assembly? If so, where do you put the oil? If not, why not?

Old dog Steve Ostrem and young gun Caleb Savant team up to talk about just that, and to discuss the absolutely wrong (but different) instructions they each received in the US Army.

In short: Don’t put oil in combustion areas or vent holes. Do put it on wear areas — even on coated BCGs.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know what works for you. Meanwhile, check out the video.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.