High round count cleaning

W

Willie Lowman

New member
I am about to go run a few hundred rounds through my new-to-me Noveske. I am not starting this thread because I need someone to explain how to maintain an AR15 but rather have a discussion on cleaning a rifle that sees hundreds of rounds in a range trip. The guys I shoot with all seem to have different ideas on the what solvent to use, how much brushing, etc.

So, what do you do to get your rifle ready for the next go round?

You don't need to clean [insert rifle name here] posts need not apply.
 
Stay away from ammonia products. With current solvent technology the way it is, there's no need for hazardous chemicals. Top rated cleaners include Bore Tech, KG-12, and SharpShoot-R Wipe Out. I use Birchwood Casey Bore Scrubber, but that's only because I have a big can of it left and I use it very sparingly, but the stuff is nasty. I'll be picking up a can of Wipe Out on Monday to try out, it's supposed to be real good stuff.

Let the chemicals do the cleaning. On my rifles I only run patches through the bores, no brushes. Chrome lined bores are very easy to clean. If you feel you must use a brush (like a chamber & lug recess brush which are nice), go with nylon. Foaming bore cleaners are your friend.

Another thing on the AR-15, don't feel compelled to have to clean every bit of carbon off the bolt & carrier. Wipe off as much as you can, then leave it be. There's absolutely no need for scrapers.

A product which I would highly recommend is TW25B. Not only is it a superb lubricant, but it makes cleaning up way easier. You simply degrease the parts, the crud comes off, and re-lubricate. Speaking of degreasers, isopropyl alcohol works about just as good as brake cleaner, and it's non-toxic :)

Some people are perfectly contempt pulling a bore snake down the barrel every once in a while and using motor oil for lube. There's nothing wrong with that and it demonstrates two things. One is that maintenance on the AR rifle doesn't have to be as meticulous as some people make it out to be (I'm guilty and like rifles to be very clean), and two, that just about any lubricant out there is more than suitable for it. You can run it dirty and wet, but you can't run it dirty and dry.
 
I shoot anywhere from 90 to 180 rounds through my AR per range trip, but I only clean it every third trip. In the interim, I make sure the bolt and bolt carrier are lubed, but otherwise that's it.

When I do clean the gun, I use a foaming bore cleaner for the bore, use it according to the instructions, then run a bore snake through the gun. I blast the upper and lower receiver with brake cleaner, and clean the bolt carrier group with CLP. I use the CAT M4 Tool to clean carbon off of the bolt, and inside the bolt carrier.

I also use a chamber/lug cleaning brush at this time.

I re-lube everything in the appropriate spots, test the gun for function, and that's that.

One of the best AR cleaning threads, in my opinion, is this one, at m4carbine.net: http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=35490

AR's do need cleaned, but not as often as people think.
 
Last edited:
I have been a Hoppe's man all my life. I have recently started using this stuff called Gunzilla. It is a clean-lube-protect type product. I have never thought to highly of CLP...

Anyway, I developed a pattern of wet patch, wait, brush once followed by two wet patches, wait, brush once, two wet patches, etc. After doing that for five or six cycles I run a dry patch and inspect. If I am not satisfied I run a few more wet patches and wait. During the wait periods I clean and lube the bolt and receiver.


I have been very pleased with the Gunzilla so far. I do not rely on it for lube of my BCG, I use synthetic oil for that.

I like foaming bore cleaners for my SKS.
 
I also recently discovered Gunzilla and tend to use that to clean the bore with now. Every fifth or so range trip I'll use a foaming cleaner and then follow up with Gunzilla after I've cleaned the foam gunk out.

I like the Gunzilla product but had to order the larger bottle on-line b/c my LGS only carries the little spray bottles.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top