Reply #8: I've also read the military gave them the wrong lubricant for M16 [View All]

[RamboLiberal]

Gave them BreakFree which is a great lubricant here but not in the sandy environment of Iraq and apparently it's attracting and holding the fine sand gumming up the weapons. Troops want Militec lubricant and are even having family members send that to them.

Here's an email from one. Note this is from company website but I saw this issue in other places.

---- Original Message -----
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2003 12:56 AM
Subject: Militec In Iraq

Mr. Giordani,
I recently went to your company website to get additional information for a purchase of Militec and noticed numerous emails concerning problems with getting Militec into Iraq. I think you will find my situation interesting:
I am a First Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reservies deployed to Iraq. Prior to departing the U.S. I packed a one gallon container of Ed's Red gun cleaning solution. (Homemade internet recipe.) I also packed my own 9mm cleaning kit and an Otis M16 kit given to me by a friend at Impact Guns in Ogden, UT. For lubrication I packed Militec. Notice, there is no government issued cleaning gear in my equipment. Knowing the conditions we would soon be facing, since deployment I have tried to obtain Militec through military supply channels. I met with negative results. Our Government Purchase Card was turned off by the Reserves, so local or mail order was not possible. We have had to do with BreakFree since the deployment.
The BreakFree has not worked well in the dusty environment of Kuwait or Iraq. The talcum powder consistency penetrates EVERYTHING, sticks to the even the most lightly applied BreakFree and jams the weapon. The most common failure is failure to feed. My armorer was told by Direct Support told this was due to defective magazines, but that is not true. Some soldiers have been going with a dry weapon in order to temporarily avoid the problem. With sharing, I am down to my last few drops of Militec. Three days ago our government credit card was turned on and we will be placing an order for a case of Militec first thing.
Other than the obvious, why would this interest you? In my civilian job I am a Special Agent with the Department of Defense Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service. I am also a FLETC trained Firearms Instructor. I have used Militec for years on my personal weapons and issue duty carry weapon. I use it on everything from antique firearms to personal Class 3 weapons. I also local purchase Militec for DCIS duty weapons and have recommended it to the other Instructors.
At home I trust my life to my weapon, a Glock 26. I find it incredible that being in a combat zone, I can not get the same protection! We crossed into Iraq at the first of April and have yet to get proper lubrication. Luckily, we have not had to fire our weapons in anger, although the shootings have been very close. Weapons maintenance is a constant chore anyway, but in Iraq it should be a daily job. With BreakFree it seems to require a complete cleaning to remove the gunk. With Militec I can basically wipe the weapon down and reapply. While performing Sergeant of the Guard duty in Balad, the SOGs consistently find weapons that are non-functional, mainly due to failure to feed. We have all followed the story of Jessica Lynch. My initial reaction was anger at poor weapons maintenance, but the reality is that everyone is in the same boat. The Combat Arms clean their weapons everyday, Combat Support and Combat Service Support generally do not.
Realize that the soldiers and NCOs in the field know what is required of their weapons. More importantly, they know what is required to maintain their weapons. BreakFree is not the right stuff.
1SG XXX
U.S. Army Reserves

http://www.militec.co.nz/warlinks1.asp