The manual lever style best grease gun is the most common. A typical, off-the-shelf shop gun can produce 7,500 to 15,000 psi. This can make the gun dangerous for bearing seals if misused. They typically hold 14oz (400gm) cartridges and produce various quantities/stroke. A best practice is to provide a stroke and weigh how much grease is produced.

Grease guns of different designs are used in different applications. The most common types are lever, pistol grip and hand grip varieties. Most are mechanically driven by hand, though there are models that are air- or battery-powered (used especially to move large amounts of grease). Most common is the lever style which is also the least expensive.