MARYLAND STATE POLICE

DATE January 25, 1991

In September 1989, I had taken several Berettas to the factory in Accokeek to discuss with them a problem we were having with malfunctions. At that time, they advised that they had been experimenting with a different lubricant. This new lubricant was Militec. I obtained a sample and discussed testing it with Sgt. Murphey. He agreed, and I started using it on my Agency issued Beretta.

In March 1990, we again discussed the testing of Militec and another new lubricant, Tetra gun. We had been approached by the representative from Tetra gun, and he wanted to be included in the test. Approval was obtained, and the test was begun in May 1990. The test involved two groups of S.T.A.T.E. team members. One group used Tetra gun and the other group used Militec. Each group was already familiar with using Break free. Each man was to use the product on his Agency issued Beretta and his S.T.A.T.E. issued weapon. These weapons included the following: Remington Model 700 bolt action rifle, Colt AR16 rifle, Remington 870 pump shotgun, and UZI submarine gun. The test was started in May 1990. At the beginning of the test, all of weapons were stripped of the previous lubricant.

In September 1990, the groups switched lubricants. The weapons were again stripped of the previous lubricant. The test was continued through January 1991. This provided for at least three months with each lubricant. Each S.T.A.T.E. team member was asked to prepare a Form 17 about each of the lubricants tested. I have attached their Form 17's. The general consensus was that Militec was the best lubricant tested. Due to the fact that their findings and comments are similar to my own, I will sum up all of the findings together.

NEXT