Lube for my hand pump

Most pumps recommend silicone grease but I was wondering isn't silicone oil better? Seems like grease a little too thick.
Id think the lube quality no big difference but if lubing a shaft through a oring the oring is going to squggie off any excess what it cant except . The build up of any excess the thick grease just may build up and stick and reapply as you work the shaft but thinner the oil may kinda run off and need more regular application to maintain lubing.

Overall i guess it comes down to what you find works best outside of wrong lube or working things dry or makes less mess..

I just assume pure silicone is just that wether oil or grease form just what kind or how much of any thickener used to make grease from oil..
 
For what it's worth, I once rebuilt a Benjamin pump using silicone grease and it became immediately apparent there was too much friction from being too viscous. Ever since then I've used 30 weight silicone oil.

The general rule is grease for static O-rings to serve as an assembly aid, and oil for dynamic O-rings to serve as an active lubricant.
 
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