Gun Cleaning Advice

bigfutz · Jun 5, 2012

I've always had difficulty finding just the right implements to get those tight nooks and crannies (on my guns, thank you) clean. My brushes never seem to reach everywhere the ought to. I end up using bent 22 barrel brushes, youth toothbrushes, q-tips and toothpicks. Can anyone suggest any more effective cleaning tools?

LiveFreeorDie · Jun 5, 2012

I've never had gunk I couldn't get out of a firearm without the things you just listed, but I hear tell that dental picks (the hook shaped pointy steel tools the dentist uses that look like minature torture implements from the dark ages) are the cat's meow for picking and scraping carbon out of cracks and crevices.

PCShogun · Jun 5, 2012

This is probably bad but . . . . if it aint somewhere that affects the mechanical operation, it can stay there as far as I am concerned. I've scratched so much metal and wood trying to get all the little crud out of the cracks that now I usually just leave it alone if wiping don't get it.

Clicker · Jun 5, 2012

I have a few old retired dental picks from my Doctor and they are really handy as LiveFree stated. For the AR's barrel extension there are felt pads that looks like a gear and fits behind the locking lugs to clean that area, works pretty well.

I use an ultrasonic cleaner for BCG's and HK trigger packs. Just hit them with compressed air once they're done in the usc and then hose 'em down with lube. I could probably fit a pistol slide and barrel in there but have not tried yet.

HOLY DIVER · Jun 5, 2012

one thing i've found helps is using an oil that has a cleaning agent in it to lube the firearm.i use slip2000 but there are alot of diff brands to choose from.my glock and AR pretty much wipe clean after a trip to the range,now i don't go into as much detail as the OP but detailing a firearm is not a bad thing.i just don't do it myself.

PCShogun · Jun 5, 2012

See, this is why I shoot Soviet era stuff. Used motor oil and a knotted boot lace are all the cleaning supplies needed. :lol:

fordnut · Jun 5, 2012

I have a couple of detailing brushes left over from my car show days. They look like tooth brushes, but, have longer and a little stiffer bristles...Soak them with Hopps 9 or whatever cleaning agent you use, and scrub away...They do a great job...

Steve

11B3XCIB · Jun 6, 2012

I've been told that actual dental picks made from surgical steel are bad to use on firearms because of the quality of the steel can easily scratch the finish and pit the metal of a firearm. I also have an issued cleaning kit for an M4/M9 that has blunt aluminum picks, with flat tips but probably .05" diameter, and they do the trick without scratching finish (with a gentle touch) or pitting the metal. Again, dental picks are probably fine if you use a very light touch. Brass brushes and implements should work well, as they are a soft metal, also.

Q-Tips tend to leave fuzz, especially if you are cleaning an AR lower or something with spring ends that will grab the q-tip. I would recommend pipe cleaners in place of q-tips for those hard to reach areas.

ReefShark · Jun 6, 2012

I have a large fishing-tackle box filled with cleaning supplies but I tend to gravitate back to the same items. I agree that pipe cleaners are a must...

bigfutz · Jun 6, 2012

ReefShark said:
I have a large fishing-tackle box filled with cleaning supplies but I tend to gravitate back to the same items. I agree that pipe cleaners are a must...

Best stock up on pipe cleaners before they ban pipe smoking and they become obsolete. Thanks to all for the tips. I have also used a beat out brass casing for scraping carbon. (I read somewhere to scrape not brush carbon deposits from an AR bolt.) I think I'll go pound some aluminum and copper wire into the tools I need.