Cleaning my AR

Mar 2011
41
0
Tacoma
So I'd like to clean my AR today. But to be honest I don't know how. Can someone link me to a good site or YouTube Channel.

I've seen some videos and read some articles on how to do it. But they seem very "general". Nothing indepth and that's what Im looking for.

I want to know how to strip it down, and what points need to be greased and what points shouldn't be greased. And what needs to be scrubbed and brushed. That type of thing. Not just a this how you take it apart now clean it up kind of deal.

The cleaning kit I have is a "KleenBore" brand. It is ther Saf-T-Clad kit. And I have a brass brush for my caliber size.

If anyone else wants to recomend some other cleaning solvents or grease please feel free and let me know what works for you. I shoot my AR fairly often I guess I switch between going to the marksman for my pistol and going to TSC for my ar. It will be my AR's turn out next. Maybe Wednesday that's my next day off.

Oh also how often should I clean my AR? It may sound like silly question but I've read cleaning it all the time isn't good. If anyone wants to eleborate on that aswell that would be awesome. I usually by three boxes of 20 each time out. So I'm guessing I'm not pushing it very hard.

Anyway as always. Thanks in advance for any feedback. It is always appreciated.
 
Apr 2011
225
0
Corvallis, OR
i dont have any links, but if you know how to take apart your AR, bolt carrier, bolt, charging handle. then you just wipe it down with a scrap of brown tshirt, qtips and a boresnake. its not complicated...

i knew guys who didnt clean their weapon all deployment, even going to ranges, no problems.

i use/used CLP, just miltec or whatever is cheap and available, i found carved MRE spoons and wooden toothpicks to be useful in place of dental pics, point im getting at is its not complicated, clean off the parts, wipe them down, clean the bolt by parts, scrape away the carbon, clean out the star chamber, pull a boresnake through a few times and reassemble, good-to-go...

i personally dont clean my **** too much, but in the army it was all about cleaning before turn-ins, cleaning after each range, cleaning after each mission, etc... but unless your using corrosive ammo it shouldnt be a big deal, but im no expert, just an end user for about a decade...

just saying...
 
Mar 2011
41
0
Tacoma
Hmmm. If it's really that simple I guess no reason to complicate it then. But can you give me any points on spots to grease? Or would that solvent that came with my kit be good enough? I'll try it out tonight.

Thanks man. You always reply to my threads lol. Much appreciated!
 
Apr 2011
225
0
Corvallis, OR
i try to reply to any thread i may be helpful in (and often not in the case of many "welcome to the forum'")...

i never "greased" any spots, just used CLP.

i would wipe her down, so there is no carbon or residue, apply a thin coat on the bolt carrier, charging handle, the internal guide area (cant recall what that area is called at this time), then reassemble, charge it a few times, do a functions check and then lock the bolt to the rear and drop a few drops of CLP and allow the inner area to get a nice coat, then charge her a few more times and she should be ready...
 
Apr 2011
225
0
Corvallis, OR
Google AR15 maintance.

yeah thats the easy answer, but i am under the assumption he has done that and it wasnt as personal as he would like it, besides isnt this what forums are for? technically every question asked in a forum could be googled, but whats the fun in that?
 
Jan 2009
1,684
0
s. greenlake *****
Do you know how to disassemble the upper?

If so, you can break the weapon in half, pull the bolt/carrier/charging handle out.

I normally use break free, or gun scrubber and a toothbrush for those three pieces.

Then I use the toothbrush and some hopes #9 inside the (now empty) upper reciever.

bore snake w/a brush and break free for a few passes.
Then swatches until they come out kinda clean (staying as white ish as possible) lol

I don't normally dow anything w/the lower unless I see visibly any carbon, or I was shooting in the rain/mud/crap.

Reassemble upper and put it back together

Run over the outside w/break free and a tooth brush.

Wipe down. and shove it back in a bag.
 
Jul 2009
423
0
Spokane
^ that and also take bolt completely down, take out the firing pin and extractor and clean good in there. scrape the built up carbon off the bolt.
 
Mar 2011
41
0
Tacoma
The reason why I asked if anyone knew of a site or YouTube channel was simply cause I know many people have done the searching and sifting through the articles way before I even thought of owning an AR. I was hoping someone would remember a good link that they seen. I found one on YouTube a couple weeks ago the video was bright, clear, and the audio was nice and crisp. But I can't find it anymore. Plus with military people using the same platform as my weapon they might have some tips. So I basically asked from the people that have either done it countless times themselves or have already made there way through googles endless links that don't turn up much. I can recall countless searches for firearms that have led me to airsoft guns.

Anyway. I haven't gotten to breaking it down just yet. But as far as disassembling the upper. I believe I have it down. Well the bolt carrier group and charging handle parts. I doubt I'll need to mess with the quad rails or gastube. I'll take it down tonight since I'm off tommorow and see how it goes. If all is good I'll take it out tommorow and make sure it fires and functions.

Thanks again everyone!
 
Jan 2009
1,684
0
s. greenlake *****
The reason why I asked if anyone knew of a site or YouTube channel was simply cause I know many people have done the searching and sifting through the articles way before I even thought of owning an AR. I was hoping someone would remember a good link that they seen.


There are a million of them, here are a few:
YouTube - how to field strip and clean DPMS AR-15 M4


YouTube - How to field strip and clean your AR15


YouTube - AR15 Complete Cleaning and Maintenance Part 1


YouTube - How to strip your AR-15 for cleaning
 
Mar 2011
41
0
Tacoma
Hey thanks again to everyone who replied. I just got done fieldstripping it and cleaning it up. And I'm not bragging but it feels way more fluid. It's nice and smooth.

Just a couple more questions though.

1. The feed ramps, what are you guys using to clean that area. The tooth brush thing I got with my kit sucks in that department.

2. How often should I clean my ar? I want to make sure it lasts as long as possible with regular care.

Below is a link to my AR. Rock River 6.8 SPC midlength.


http://emob126.photobucket.com/albums/p84/cypher333/photo-26.jpg?t=1303951457

sorry iPhone camera.
 
Apr 2011
225
0
Corvallis, OR
1. i wrap a scrap of brown tshirt around one of my fingers (i have very small/thin hands), or a qtip, but the small fingers let me really get in areas (i was the bane of weapons inspections pre turn-in to the armsroom)...
try qtips, i have these nifty star chamber bad thingies but dont really use em...

2. clean it after each use if you want, but it isnt a finnicky weapon in my experience...
 
Mar 2011
41
0
Tacoma
Ok cool. I think I'll clean it out every couple turns out. Thanks for your help and advice. I am planning on getting one for my boy on Saturday but in .223 instead. So I feel way better knowing I can clean it up. Just another thing we could do together.

Thanks again.
 
Apr 2011
225
0
Corvallis, OR
Ok cool. I think I'll clean it out every couple turns out. Thanks for your help and advice. I am planning on getting one for my boy on Saturday but in .223 instead. So I feel way better knowing I can clean it up. Just another thing we could do together.

Thanks again.

sounds like a fun...
 
Feb 2011
255
0
Portland, Oregon
Ok cool. I think I'll clean it out every couple turns out. Thanks for your help and advice. I am planning on getting one for my boy on Saturday but in .223 instead. So I feel way better knowing I can clean it up. Just another thing we could do together.

Thanks again.

Will you adopt me? I need a new AR too. :flowers:
 
Mar 2011
41
0
Tacoma
Lol. I'm going to tell you the same thing I told my buddy. If you where my kid I'd def get you one lol. But sorry i have no room for adoptions right now. Lol.
 
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