Cleaning an AR

Horty · Jul 9, 2012

I am one of those ridiculous gun owners who gets out q-tips and such to clean every last bit of residue off my guns even though I know it won't make much difference in performance. This works out alright with pistols an bolt action rifles but my AR is driving me insane due to its absolutely filthy nature. Anyway, my question is how often ad how thoroughly do you all clean your ARs? I am hoping everyone says "never" or "just the barrel" bc I think I can handle that but I have a feeling that is not going to happen. Anyway, let me know your cleaning frequency and detail along with any wonder tips or tricks. Thanks.

jtischauser · Jul 9, 2012

Every 500-1000 rounds. I clean barrel with brush and patches. Let the sonic cleaner do the work on the bolt and carrier. Occasionally ill run a rag down into the buffer tube. I use one of these to get the majority of the gunk out of the locking lug area.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=27012/Product/SINCLAIR-AR-15-M16-LUG-RECESS-CLEANING-TOOL

michaelclm · Jul 9, 2012

http://www.slip2000....arbine-running/

/thread - just kidding, sheesh

Not an endorsement of Slip 2000 but this is: I like the stuff. That being said, I pretty much use nothing but Mobil 1 motor oil as lube these days.

Wet patch/dry patch/wet patch on the bore. Spray solvent on the upper and bcg, then lube. That's pretty much it other than disassembly of the bolt for solvent and lube.

jtischauser · Jul 9, 2012

Michael Ray said:
http://www.slip2000....arbine-running/

/thread

Not an endorsement of Slip 2000 but this is: I like the stuff. That being said, I pretty much use nothing but Mobil 1 motor oil as lube these days.

That is a long winded read but its is pretty spot on with my methods.

michaelclm · Jul 9, 2012

Yeah, it sucks that he had to spend so much time making the case for a pretty basic cleaning procedure that will keep an AR running in just about any environment. The really sad testiment is that it was written nearly six years ago and many of the same myths he addressed are still perpetrated on the un-initiated. You and I were a part of that "white glove" culture. The "scrub it 'til it shines 'cause I'm taking your individuality away and making you a part of a standardized culture" make-work part of basic training made people think that this level of maintenance was actually required.

drmitchgibson · Jul 9, 2012

I clean mine about every 500 rounds. I used to clean all the guns after every range trip, but that's just ridiculous. If I go two days in a row and shoot 800 rounds or more, that's two cleaning sessions of a fair length to get everything spotless. I don't care about spotless at all for the AR or Benelli. And I've started using contact cleaner as my solvent; it is MUCH, MUCH better than anything I've ever used, and flashes off almost instantly (use in a VERY well-ventilated area). It's almost like having a vapor degreaser, in terms of results. You still have to scrub a little bit, but not much. It is not a good solvent for abrasive polishes, though.

Matt1911 · Jul 9, 2012

About every 500ish rounds I'll run a patch down the barrel then dissasemble and wipe off the BCG with a dry rag then re lube. Nothing more than 5 minutes worth of cleaning.

jtischauser · Jul 9, 2012

Yeah my M16A2 got cleaned for 10-16 hours after every 50-200 rounds once a year. I didn't care if I destroyed it as long as it was none dry and free of carbon before it was stored until next year. I hated that gun. Thoughts was a turd because we didn't know how to properly live and maintain them. It's also the reason I didnt own an AR until 8 years later when I met Mine Ponto and he introduced me to a 3 gun Rifle with lots of go fast parts soaked in oil.

oldglock · Jul 12, 2012

Seems none of the responders are paying much attention to bore.
I clean a heavy stainless air gauged (sp) barrel like I always cleaned accurate bolt guns. that is always use a bore guide to eliminate rod slop, wet patch with shooters choice, 20 brush strokes with shooters choice. Sit for 20 minutes or so, dry patches until clean. If not clean after 3 tight patches, repeat process.
I can feel the difference in the way a tight patch moves through the bore before and after cleaning.
If a hint of blue appears on the dirty patch, I will run wet patch with Sweets 7.62solvent through, wait ten and look for blue. This is copper residue. Repeat until no blue shows.
Do this every 400-500 rounds or so.
Remember though, accuracy is important in this rifle. On my carbine, I am much less anal.
Jim

jtischauser · Jul 12, 2012

oldglock said:
Seems none of the responders are paying much attention to bore.
I clean a heavy stainless air gauged (sp) barrel like I always cleaned accurate bolt guns. that is always use a bore guide to eliminate rod slop, wet patch with shooters choice, 20 brush strokes with shooters choice. Sit for 20 minutes or so, dry patches until clean. If not clean after 3 tight patches, repeat process.
I can feel the difference in the way a tight patch moves through the bore before and after cleaning.
If a hint of blue appears on the dirty patch, I will run wet patch with Sweets 7.62solvent through, wait ten and look for blue. This is copper residue. Repeat until no blue shows.
Do this every 400-500 rounds or so.
Remember though, accuracy is important in this rifle. On my carbine, I am much less anal.
Jim

What type of brush, bore guide and rid do you use for your precision barrels? This is one area I think I lack in.

MrTheBigOx · Jul 13, 2012

Clean?
Must be related to that Gym Guy I hear about so often

oldglock · Jul 13, 2012

Jessie
The brushes are all brass/bronze. Kleenbore brand I think. Bore gude is a universal from Midway with various size plastic tips. A collar same diameter as bolt carrier holds back end stable with brass rod set against rear of reciever to hold tip jammed into chamber area. brass jag, cotton patches.
.224 brushes wear out pretty quickly, 243 are longer lasting.
Jim