hughntx

Getting no response is a little unusual, even for them. Still, I wouldn't get too worried yet. As others pointed out, it sometimes takes time. I'd wait until the new year and email them again then with your concerns, but again, don't get too worried.

Yes, too much oil can cause an issue over time. It is good to wipe everything down nicely then put a good coat over it. In general, any synthetic oil will do the trick. How cold are you talking? If you are living in them, I don't think it is cold enough to be a problem for oil, though there may be options that work better that I am unaware of.

How identical is "identical?" Surefire would be the only one that comes to mind, but you can tell the difference.

That sounds like the best way to explain it. If you oil it up and still have problems, then there is something else wrong that needs to be addressed.