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Best way to clean your AR's

S

swangz

Private
Minuteman
Jul 16, 2008
50
0
CA
#1
Is it me or are AR's just a pain in the ass to clean? I have several bolt rifles and cleaning them is easy as pie. But cleaning my AR is like pulling teeth. I must admit I'm a bit new to the AR platform so please be gentle.

I'm currently using a .22 caliber dewey rod. I have tried the parker hale jags as well as the spear style jags. I am using circular .22 caliber dewey patches for the spear jags, and .22 caliber square dewey patches for the parker hale. In addition I am using a dewey AR-15 bore guide.

First getting the bore guide in the breach/chamber is very difficult The O-Ring is so tight you really have to cram it in there, and im literally pulling some skin off my hands getting it out. Next inserting the dewey rod is almost next to impossible. I am litteraly standing over my upper trying to mash in the cleaning rod at times. I think I permanently damaged my dewey rod already as it doesn't insert straight into the bore now.

The only success ive had is with the otis cleaning system. As it seems to be the easiest. Just worried about not doing a thorough job.

I own a Noveske SPR barrel, attached to a Larue Stealth upper. I can't imagine this being normal. How do you all clean your AR's? I'm guessing that even though im using the right sized patches I still need to cut them up to get them smaller. Can I just stick with the Otis? Or does that not do a good enough job.

I don't know maybe I'm just mental...I usually love cleaning my rifles but now i'm just pissed off...sorry for the rant.
 
#2
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

I wipe all the carrier with a few 45 patches wet with Kroil.
I use a 45 brush wrapped with a 45 patch with Kroil, to clean the inside the bolt housing.
I clean the bolt with a few 45 patches and Kroil.
I clean the bolt face with a toothbrush and Kroil.
I clean the breach and chamber with a rod with a 30 caliber brush wrapped with a 45 caliber patch wet with Kroil.
I pass a couple of tight 22 caliber (I use two at a time) patches wet with Kroil, down the barrel. I'm using the Otis cable/kit for all my cleaning.
After that I pass one tight dry patch, and then a couple (with a little wait time) of WipeOut/PatchOut.
Finally a dry patch and one with Kroil.

 
#3
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

I hit them with brake cleaner and a rag. Then I chip the carbon off the bolt and oil them back up. I only clean whenever it looks real cruddy which is usually after 400 rounds or so. I dont use bore guides. Hit it with a brush a few times, and call it good.

Oil is your friend. Keep it oiled up and it will work. Its going to be dirty after the first shot so dont try to make it as clean as a surgical room.
 
#5
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

I clean the BCG & Bolt with Kroil, Hoppes, .45 brush with patch into the chamber with kroil/hoppes, swab the chamber, clean the locking lugs with some q tips and get the carbon off around inside the receiver/gas tube with a few q tips. Lube bolt and bcg put it in the safe.

When accuracy isn't what I want, I run a few wet patches a few dry patches in addition to the chamber, bcg and receiver and I'm done 10-15 mins tops. Sure a gas gun gets the hands a little more messy (primarily because of the BCG), but much more time than that is a waste IMO.

My bolt guns get the same quick cleaning, bolt, chamber, lugs receiver wipe, lube done. I only clean the barrel when accuracy drops off, or if I get water or some other crud down there.
 
#6
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

There are bore guides for ARs? The only time I clean an AR thoroughly is when I don't plan on using it for an extended period of time. Other than that, one wet patch down the bore, let it sit, run a dry patch, another wet one, and finally another dry one. Takes less than five minutes. I use Barrett Bore Cleaner, CLP, whatever's in front of me.

For the bcg, disassemble it and clean off the carbon, then before reassembly, check the firing pin channel. Any debris needs to be blasted with either an airgun or a can of compressed air(available at any electronics store). Lube any moving parts, lube the bolt carrier and the bolt lugs, reassemble and do a function test. I use EWL.

I'll admit, I clean the outside more than the inside only because I don't want carbon everywhere.

-V-
 
#8
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

Nope, if you're having difficulty getting the cleaning rod through the bore, use the pull method instead of push. You'll need a slotted jag for this, but a good quality rod won't break and there's zero chance of it bending.

-V-
 
#9
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

For the BCG, I use a cheap and dirty version of a method I found on ar15.com. I basically have a spaghetti sauce jar full of mineral spirits with about 5-10% CLP. I just take the BCG apart, put the small parts (I usually take the extractor out too) in a metal tea strainer thingy with a chain and hook that I can hang on the side of the jar, and drop everything in the jar, and let it soak while I clean the barrel. I usually also hang the bolt off of a straightened out paperclip or something so I don't have to fish it out. Sometimes I'll scrub the bolt and inside of the BCG with a brass brush, clean. When done, wipe everything down, allow to dry, reassemble, apply CLP and reinstall.

After I'm done cleaning I just put the cap on the jar. After a day or so the gunk will settle to the bottom and I can pour off the clean liquid into another jar, and top it off time to time. The jar with the gunk, I empty out into a third jar the collects the dirty liquid. After a while, you can pour off some clean liquid in the third jar too.

I also use a Dewey bore guide and chamber cleaning kit.
 
#10
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

Ok guys I feel I must chime in here. The brake cleaner thing is crap, it takes just the same amount of scrubbing as anything else. Plus if you use the brake clearer enough it will strip the bluing off your gun.

Now you guys should be able to clean everything fairly easily with the exception of a few areas. The inside of the bolt carrier group (the far back wall that gets built up with carbon) and of course the star chamber. As for the bolt carrier group your going to need some sort of scraper, time to get inventive. Now the big thing especially if you have ever served in the military is cleaning out the star chamber. A lot of guys swear by this brake cleaner method right here but for me the easiest way is to use CLP. Just soak a bore patch in CLP and place it in the chamber. Then take a dental pick and swirl the patch around really well. Repeat about 3-4 times and that thing should be spotless.
 
#13
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

I start with Wipe out foaming bore cleaner. I will leave it in the bore overnight if possible, use the accelorator if not. I use the Caron cutter by them also. I think main thing is let it soak. It's a two day project if really dirty. IMO
 
#14
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Buzzsaw</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I start with Wipe out foaming bore cleaner.</div></div>
You might want to try PatchOut (the same formula of WipeOut, but in liquid form) for the gas guns.
It doesn't run inside the gas tube, that is bare aluminum (not good reaction with the WipeOut chemicals).
I now use exclusively PatchOut in my gas guns. I'm still using the remaining stash of WipeOut for my bolt guns, but I'm migrating to PatchOut (less messy in general).
 
#15
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

Nothing cleans an AR like hot water and soap. After being out in the field for a long time, getting nasty, stinky, dirty (as well as the rifle getting the same) We would just bring our rifles and cleaning brush into the shower with us and wash it after we washed ourselves. Dry it, rub CLP on it, and run a patch down the barrel. I'll still wash my bolt and bolt carrier in the kitchen sink nowadays.
 
#16
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

HaHa! Welcome to the wonderful world of the most crud fouling weapon in US military inventory since the days of black powder rifles! Why the greatest industrial nation on earth contines to field that crazy design is beyond explanation. What you have discovered is the exact same thing millions of GI's have encountered to their endless frustration.
This may sound basskwards but if you going to be firing alot you dont have to do a "complete" parade inspection clean each and every time. Make sure the bore and chamber is clean and break down the BCG and bolt to include the extractor and clean off all the accumulated carbon. Lube the appropiate contact points.
It is a great reliable weapon when cared for properly.
 
#17
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

A liberal amount of Gun Scrub, a good plastic bristle brush, Break Free w/CLP, and patch the bore with a 22 cal brush and rod. I have never had to put any real elbow grease into scrubbing with the Gun Scrub, and when you run a suppressor it gets freakin filthy with blow back. Abit lengthy only because of the amount of pieces if you compare to patching a bolt rifle.
 
#18
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

That crazy design is lighter weight and more accurate than anything except the best of bolt guns.

That's why our military is not only fielding this firearm after over 40 years, they've fielded a .30 caliber version of the same for their snipers.
 
#19
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HotIce</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wipe all the carrier with a few 45 patches wet with Kroil.
I use a 45 brush wrapped with a 45 patch with Kroil, to clean the inside the bolt housing.
I clean the bolt with a few 45 patches and Kroil.
I clean the bolt face with a toothbrush and Kroil.
I clean the breach and chamber with a rod with a 30 caliber brush wrapped with a 45 caliber patch wet with Kroil.
I pass a couple of tight 22 caliber (I use two at a time) patches wet with Kroil, down the barrel. I'm using the Otis cable/kit for all my cleaning.
After that I pass one tight dry patch, and then a couple (with a little wait time) of WipeOut/PatchOut.
Finally a dry patch and one with Kroil.

</div></div>

So A Kroil tax would probably piss you off?
 
#20
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

Downzero:
Well, big military is on the collective edge of their seats to see what happens with the SCAR.
And the 110? Pul-leeeze! How many of you inherently trust that past 600 like you do your M40/M24?
 
#21
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

Carb Out from the same company as wipe out is the best that I have ever used.

I called the company and they stated that it (carb out) was safe to leave in the barrel and there was no need to follow with oil for long term storage...Can't say that about other carbon removers.

It works great on bolts and carriers for an AR. It is all that I use on my AR10.
 
#23
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: queequeg</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HotIce</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wipe all the carrier with a few 45 patches wet with Kroil.
I use a 45 brush wrapped with a 45 patch with Kroil, to clean the inside the bolt housing.
I clean the bolt with a few 45 patches and Kroil.
I clean the bolt face with a toothbrush and Kroil.
I clean the breach and chamber with a rod with a 30 caliber brush wrapped with a 45 caliber patch wet with Kroil.
I pass a couple of tight 22 caliber (I use two at a time) patches wet with Kroil, down the barrel. I'm using the Otis cable/kit for all my cleaning.
After that I pass one tight dry patch, and then a couple (with a little wait time) of WipeOut/PatchOut.
Finally a dry patch and one with Kroil.
</div></div>
So A Kroil tax would probably piss you off? </div></div>
Hehe, tax oil but not Kroil
smile.gif
 
#24
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DocV</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are bore guides for ARs? The only time I clean an AR thoroughly is when I don't plan on using it for an extended period of time. Other than that, one wet patch down the bore, let it sit, run a dry patch, another wet one, and finally another dry one. Takes less than five minutes. I use Barrett Bore Cleaner, CLP, whatever's in front of me.
</div></div>

I use a custom bore guide from Mike Lucas. Only about 25 bucks or so, and it fits like a glove.
 
#25
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zaku65</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the tips...so no real difficulties getting the cleaning rod down the bore huh?

</div></div>

I use a dewey rod w/ a jag in my krieger. It's about as tight as anything i've ever seen. Real pain in the ass...

-Slice

ETA: mikepal, got a link to that bore guide?
 
#26
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

Well I believe in good ole elbow grease. I don't worry about the bore much unless I've fired a lot. After 4-500 rounds I just break out a bunch of q-tips, patches, clp, and my cleaning gear and go to town. I just use an otis kit along with some old cleaning rods for scraping. Its relaxing to clean so I don't mind doing it the old fashioned way. Last time I cleaned it I just sat down and watched a movie while cleaning it.
 
#27
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zaku65</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the tips...so no real difficulties getting the cleaning rod down the bore huh?

</div></div>

Have you tried using an OTIS cleaning kit (they used to do one specifically for M16/AR 5.56)?

No rod, just their pull-through.
 
#28
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HomeSlice</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zaku65</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the tips...so no real difficulties getting the cleaning rod down the bore huh?

</div></div>

I use a dewey rod w/ a jag in my krieger. It's about as tight as anything i've ever seen. Real pain in the ass...

-Slice

ETA: mikepal, got a link to that bore guide?</div></div>

Here's the feedback on the Lucas Bore Guides I got a while back:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...796#Post1257796

I've since ordered a couple for my bolt guns. Great product and Mike is a really good guy - great CS.

You need to call him to order (803) 356-0282 or email him [email protected]

I don't think he has a website.
 
#29
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

BasraBoy,

The Otis system is the only method that I've found to be successful without putting the damn upper in a vice and using my whole body weight to get the dewey rod through the bore.

I've just heard people on the net saying that the Otis is not the proper way to thoroughly clean out your bore, and for me, a person who usually only shoots bolt actions have always used the rod method over the pull method wasn't sure what I was doing wrong. Just wanted to see what some other folks have tried and to see if they've had similar problems. It sounds like some people have and I'm not the only one.

I just bought a new Otis kit and plan to use the slotted jags going forward. I have a Noveske SPR barrel and I think ive already scratched it trying to get the stupid rod through the bore. Not going to take anymore chances.
 
#30
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

Just try power washing it. Seriously, I had the same type of problem with an LR-308. Try taking some fine grit sandpaper and going around the bore guide, slowly taking off a little until it fits flush, but not loose of course. I hear you on having a bear of a time pulling that thing out. After that, cleaning the bore shouldn't be that much differnt than a bolt action rifle. Cleaning the chamber is were I see the major difference. That just what I did.
 
#31
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BasraBoy</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HomeSlice</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zaku65</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the tips...so no real difficulties getting the cleaning rod down the bore huh?

</div></div>

I use a dewey rod w/ a jag in my krieger. It's about as tight as anything i've ever seen. Real pain in the ass...

-Slice

ETA: mikepal, got a link to that bore guide?</div></div>

Here's the feedback on the Lucas Bore Guides I got a while back:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...796#Post1257796

I've since ordered a couple for my bolt guns. Great product and Mike is a really good guy - great CS.

You need to call him to order (803) 356-0282 or email him [email protected]

I don't think he has a website.</div></div>
Yup, as Basraboy said, Mike does not have a website. He does orders in batches, so if you place an order with him, he will send your bore guide out on a particular day with a bunch of orders from other people. I found out about Mike on 6mmbr.com, where a review said that his bore guides are 2nd to none. I think I have to agree with them, because I have 3 of them, and they all fit super snug, keep solvent from spilling, and keep that rod nice and centered in the bore. Give him a call.
 
#32
Re: Best way to clean your AR's

+100 on this, mikepal

Mike gave me a date for delivery and was true to his word. He's a really good guy to deal with.

Mike's system is the best I have seen - it uses a collar placed on the rod to keep the rod centered in the bore.

If you prefer go this route as opposed to an OTIS, I'm sure you will be pleased.
 
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