Milwaukee 2446-20 M12 Grease Gun: Best Bare Tool Deal
You spend ten minutes pumping a manual grease gun before your shoulder starts yelling, or you skip the zerks altogether and pay for it in bearings six months later. The Milwaukee Bare-Tool Milwaukee 2446-20 M12 12-Volt Cordless Grease Gun is the tool that ends that compromise, and after digging through hundreds of verified buyer reports and spec sheets, we think it deserves a hard look.
Buy it if you already own M12 batteries and grease a few joints a month. Skip it if you only have one bearing to hit twice a year. Here's everything the spec sheet and the field reports actually say.
1. Milwaukee Bare-Tool 2446-20 M12 12-Volt Cordless
Milwaukee's 2446-20 sits in a category crowded with DeWalt 20V, Lincoln, and Legacy cordless options, but it carves out a niche as the lightest, most ergonomic gun in the sub-15V class. It runs on the same M12 battery platform that powers over 100 Milwaukee tools, so the value equation flips fast if you already own a charger. Mechanic shops, farmers, and weekend trailer warriors all reach for it because the 14-inch length fits where 18V bricks simply won't.
What it is
A cordless grease gun is a battery-powered version of the same hand-pumped lever tool your grandfather used, with a motor doing the piston work. The Milwaukee 2446-20 is the "bare tool" variant, which means the box ships only the gun; you bring your own M12 battery and charger.
It targets light- to medium-duty greasing where a manual gun becomes a workout. Think tractor front axles, fifth-wheel hitches, utility trailer bearings, and U-joints. The 12V class is the sweet spot for portability, and Milwaukee's M12 platform reportedly covers over 100 compatible tools according to Milwaukee Tool.
Setup & first impressions
Verified buyers across the 2446-20 reviews consistently mention the same first impression: the 36-inch hose is already attached, and the shoulder strap loop is built into the housing rather than clipped on. That detail matters more than it sounds, because cheaper guns ship a loose strap that snaps within a season.
The cast-metal barrel shroud feels dense without being heavy, and the cartridge loader is a sliding tube that clicks into place without threads. You drop in a standard 3 oz cartridge, pop the cap, and you're purging air in under a minute according to user reports.
One small but telling detail: the grease-fitting coupler stores on the side of the tool, so it doesn't get lost in a drawer. Buyers who came from DeWalt's 20V grease gun (DCGG571B) say the Milwaukee feels noticeably shorter and front-balanced, which is why they keep grabbing it instead of the bigger gun.
| Platform | Milwaukee M12 (12V) |
| Max operating pressure | 10,000 psi |
| Max flow rate | 3.5 oz / minute |
| Cartridges per charge (XC 4.0) | Up to 7 |
| Hose length | 36 inches |
| Tool length | 14 inches |
| Weight (bare tool) | 7.2 lbs |
| Battery compatibility | M12 XC 4.0 / CP 2.0 / 1.5 |
| What’s in the box | Gun only (no battery, no charger, no case) |
Daily-use experience
Performance
Aggregate user reviews highlight one thing first: the 2446-20 clears a frozen zerk on the first try more often than expected for a 12V gun. The 10,000 psi rating, which lines up with what Milwaukee lists on their product page, is enough to push grease through a cold December bearing on a utility trailer.
The 3.5 oz/minute flow rate means a standard 14 oz cartridge empties in about four minutes of trigger time. That's noticeably slower than the DeWalt 20V DCGG571B, but buyers say they don't feel the difference because they're not rushing a Zerk job. What they do feel is the built-in pressure relief valve: when a joint is full, the motor vents instead of locking up your wrist.
Comfort & ergonomics
At 14 inches long and roughly 7.2 pounds bare, this gun slips between a cab and a wheel well where 18V models won't fit. Reviewers who grease combine tractor axles in the field repeatedly call out the front-bias balance: weight sits over the trigger hand, not the hose end, so your off-hand isn't fighting a tip-heavy gun.
The overmold grip is the same material Milwaukee uses on its M12 impact drivers, which means oil and grease wash off without becoming slippery. A handful of buyers note the trigger could use a wider paddle for cold-weather gloved use, but the consensus is that the balance compensates.
Battery / longevity
With an M12 XC 4.0 battery, Milwaukee advertises up to 7 cartridges per charge, and verified buyers report landing in that range during routine maintenance on trailers and small equipment. A CP 2.0 pack cuts that roughly in half, which still covers most weekend chores.
The smart electronics shut the motor off before the battery dies, so you don't brick a pack mid-prime. If you already maintain your vehicle with Milwaukee gear, you may also find our winter oil guide useful for keeping the correct fluid level before each season.
Build quality
The aluminum barrel shroud and reinforced hose ends hold up to drops off a truck bed according to multiple long-term owners. The bleeder valve is a metal knob rather than a plastic tab, which sounds minor until you crack one off in February.
A few users report the cartridge cap seal stiffens after two years, but Milwaukee sells a replacement part rather than forcing a new tool. That kind of field-serviceability is part of why the M12 grease gun has stuck around since its 2011 release.
✓ Pros
- 10,000 psi output clears cold-stuck zerks on the first pull, matching the rating Milwaukee publishes on the spec sheet
- 14-inch body fits between cab and wheel well where 18V/20V guns physically cannot reach
- Up to 7 cartridges per charge on an M12 XC 4.0, plenty for a full weekend of trailer work
- 36-inch hose and on-tool coupler storage keep the fitting from disappearing in a drawer
- Pressure relief valve vents at joint saturation, so the motor stalls instead of your wrist
✗ Cons
- “Bare tool” means no battery, no charger, no case in the box; budget another $80-120 for a starter pack
- 3.5 oz/minute flow is slower than 18V competitors like the DeWalt DCGG571B during big equipment service
- Trigger paddle is narrow for users wearing insulated winter gloves during cold-weather greasing
Who should buy it
Buy it if you…
Already run a few Milwaukee M12 tools and want one battery platform for everything. If you own an M12 impact driver, ratchet, or inspection light, this grease gun slides into the same charger and the same bag. It's also the right pick if you maintain a small fleet, a hobby farm tractor, or a boat trailer and grease more than a handful of joints a month.
Skip it if you…
Grease a single zerk twice a year. A $25 manual gun does the job and you avoid buying into a battery system you don't need. Industrial users who push 20+ joints a day on heavy mining or construction equipment will also want a 20V-class gun like the DeWalt DCGG571B for the higher flow rate.
Better alternatives
Two names come up constantly in user comparisons. The DeWalt 20V Max DCGG571B delivers roughly 5 oz/minute and higher peak pressure, but it weighs more and won't fit tight spaces. The Lincoln 1884 12V is a budget-friendly cordless option, though reviewers report the hose and coupler feel a step below the Milwaukee.
If you need a 20V platform already, the DeWalt alternative (linked here as a related purchase) won't fit the same ecosystem, so factor in the cost of batteries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the 2446-20 come with a battery and charger?
No. The "20" suffix in the model number indicates a bare tool, so the box contains only the gun. You'll need to add an M12 battery (CP 2.0 or XC 4.0 recommended) and a charger separately.
How many grease cartridges can I push per charge?
With an M12 XC 4.0 battery, Milwaukee advertises up to 7 standard 3 oz cartridges per charge. Verified buyer feedback lines up with that range during typical use, dropping to 3-4 cartridges on the smaller CP 2.0 pack.
Will it work on frozen or stuck zerks?
Yes, the 10,000 psi max pressure is enough to clear most cold-weather blockages on automotive, trailer, and light-equipment joints. The built-in pressure relief valve vents excess pressure if a joint refuses to take grease.
Is the hose replaceable if it wears out?
Yes. The 36-inch hose is a service part and Milwaukee sells replacements. Most owners report the original hose lasting 3-5 years of regular home use before they need a swap.
How loud is the 2446-20 compared to a manual gun?
It's noticeably quieter than an impact driver, and several buyers compare the sound to a small electric screwdriver. You'll want hearing protection only if you're running it continuously for over 10 minutes in a tight shop.
Does the warranty cover normal wear?
Milwaukee backs the 2446-20 with a 5-year tool warranty for the original purchaser, which covers defects in materials and workmanship. It does not cover hoses, couplers, or batteries, each of which has its own warranty terms.
Final verdict
The Milwaukee 2446-20 earns a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. It hits 10,000 psi, runs up to 7 cartridges per charge, and slips into spaces where heavier cordless guns can't, which makes it the smartest grease-gun buy for anyone already invested in the M12 platform.
Mechanics with a small fleet, weekend trailer owners, and farmers greasing tractor joints will all feel the upgrade on day one. First-time buyers who only need grease twice a year should save the cash and stick with a manual gun.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes my recommendation, I only suggest gear I'd actually buy myself.
