Lubricating airgun chambers is important because you wouldn’t want a jammed gun in the middle of a shooting. Crosman chamber oil is the top choice for this. But it can get pretty expensive.
Fortunately, there are lots of alternatives. RWS chamber oil, Hoppe’s 9 gun oil, pure silicone hobby oil, WD40, and ATF are the major ones.
Crosman chamber oil is a good lubricant but it isn’t very cost-efficient. So if you’re looking for an alternative to that, here is a list of alternatives for Crosman chamber oil to help you out.
Top Alternatives To Crosman Silicone Chamber Oil
The thing is, Crosman’s chamber oil is the number one choice for people for a reason. It is specifically designed for gun chambers. Other alternatives wouldn’t give you the 100% result like the Crosman would.
As for the chamber oils on this list, they’re designed specifically for chambers but they can’t replicate the Crosman chamber oil results.
Note that some options on this list aren’t suitable for long-term use.
- RWS Chamber Oil
If you’re switching from Crosman because of availability issues or the price tag, this is a pretty good option.
RWS chamber oil is the closest to Crosman chamber oil in terms of overall properties.
You won’t have to worry about side effects or anything, the only difference is going to be the output.
RWS chamber oil is a thin, low-viscosity silicone oil designed for airgun chambers.
The container comes in a .50oz size and has a dropper attached. The packaging also comes with a needle for easy application.
RWS covers the chamber easily and doesn’t gum up when it dries. So you won’t have to invest in an extra cleanser. RWS is also really easy to apply, thanks to the dropper head and the needle that comes with it.
It is a silicone oil, sure, but the viscosity can be a little tricky. Crosman is really thin and has a low viscosity.
While it sacrifices metal protection, it gives you lower dieseling issues. RWS chamber oil is slightly thicker than Crosman so expect the results to be slightly different too.
RWS won’t ruin your gun, but the dieseling issue can be worse than Crosman’s because of the slightly lower temperature point. But if you’re looking for a long-term alternative to Crosman, this is the best option you’ll find.
- Hoppe’s 9 Gun Oil
Hopper’s 9 is a very popular name when it comes to gun maintenance tools.
Their gun oil makes a pretty good alternative to Crosman chamber oil.
If you’re looking for affordable options, this is a great one.
Hopper’s 9 is an almost vintage brand. Gun oil is a high-viscosity substance focused on providing lubrication.
It is a better option for your gun’s outer parts, but you can also use it in the chambers.
The good thing about this lubricant is that it doesn’t get gummy or sticky.
If your target is metal protection more than anything else, Hopper’s 9 is the best option for you on this list.
It is convenient, comes in multiple sizes, and is super affordable compared to Crosman. Hoppe’s 9 gun oil doesn’t harden up like WD-40 so you can use this without any worries.
Another plus point of this is that you can use this gun oil both in your gun chambers and in the outer parts. whatever the price tag looks like, it becomes better when you consider the 2-in-1 functionality.
The only problem with Hopper’s 9-gun oil use is the long-term output. Sure, the oil won’t get gummy or hardened but it will collect residue more.
You might have to clean the chambers more than you usually would. Plus the high viscosity means the temperature point for this is higher. So dieseling can become an issue.
As long as you clean your airgun regularly and don’t go overboard with the lubricant, you’ll be fine.
- Pure Silicone Hobby Oil
Hobby oil includes everything from your regular lubricant to your sewing machine oil. It is thin and has low viscosity, plus it doesn’t have heavy additives.
That makes it pretty much the safest option on this list. If you’re looking for an easy way out, hobby oil is a good alternative to Crosman chamber oil.
Silicone hobby oil is the most easily available option on this list. You can find it practically anywhere and it is super cheap too.
The oil is thin and has low viscosity, so you can apply it very easily. This won’t protect the metal against rust but will do a pretty good job of providing lubrication.
- WD40
And here is the jack of all trades. WD40 isn’t recommended for long-term use but if you need a quick fix, this can be a good option.
It will get you quick lubrication for the time being but it will come at a cost.
WD40 is widely known as a lubricant. But it actually isn’t one not to the full extent.
It is mainly a water displacer but gives a lubricating coating as a by-product.
You shouldn’t use this unless you have no other option left.
And even if you have to use it, you shouldn’t use it for a long time.
As good and affordable as WD40 is, it will jam up your chambers in the long run. Plus using WD40 can take away the smoothness of the mechanism.
If your gun chamber is jammed and you don’t have any other alternatives near you, WD40 is your way to go. Other than that? Stay away from this one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some questions people usually ask about Crosman chamber oil, its alternatives, and lubricating oil in general.
W-30 non-detergent motor oil or Mobil 1 motor oil is what most experts recommend. Other than that, you can use any light oil you have around you.
For the best output of your airgun, yes. You can skip this part but your gun will start losing smoothness and the seal will start falling apart faster.
Yes, if you want proper movement in your CO2 and pneumatic air gun.
Silicone chamber oil helps your gun in operating smoothly.
Final Verdict
Let’s face it, Crosman chamber oil is the OG. No Crosman silicone chamber oil alternative will replicate its performance or output.
But there are some pretty interesting alternatives you can choose from if you’re in a sticky situation, and this list of alternatives can help you with that.
