How to Clean / Lube an AR-15

[Gentoo]

I've read that of course you should clean them and lube them, but in my searching I have not found out exactly what tools are needed for cleaning, what parts should be cleaned, and how best to go about it. Also, it is said to lube them, but where exactly should the lube be put and how much used?

I know these questions must seem basic and silly to the experts here, but for novices like myself, there isn't a whole lot of clear authoritative information to go on.

[lumpia]

I've been going by the bushmaster pdf, except for the barrel which I use a boresnake on. Anyone care to comment if this is acceptable?


http://www.ar15.com/content/manuals/...bushmaster.pdf

[AirTrafficControl]

http://www.scribd.com/doc/3458887/Fi...-M16-and-M16A1

[cobra90gt]

I know, I know it's a URL link to TOS, but it's a nicely written article by Pat Rogers and it keys in on the crucial areas of where/how to clean your AR and where to lube it:

http://www.ar15.com/content/swat/keepitrunning.pdf

While you are over at TOS, you may as well check out their "Maintenance & Cleaning" section of the AR forum - read the first few stickied threads at the top of the "Maintenance & Cleaning" section by users Quib and DoubleFeed...

[Failure2Stop]

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...ht=lubrication(lubrication method thread)

These topics have been covered many many many times before.
Just click on the search button and type in "cleaning lubrication".
You will be almost instantly provided with months of reading material.

Don't mean to pawn you off on the search function, but this has got to be one of the primary reasons that function exists.

ETA- Just to make it easier I did it for you, just click HERE.

[bill_d]

gentoo,

one of the best detailed files i have found is available
at the millcomm website.

this is the company that makes the grease known as tw25b
the pdf files available at their site can be downloaded.

there are quite a few weapon specific files available.

using that information, you should be able to understand

what you are trying to achieve as far as assembly lube and

operational lube placement and amounts.

[markm]

A good AR cleaning kit is NOT BOUGHT. It's made by the shooter... like a Jedi building his light saber, MAMA!

[bill_d]

having applied the grease as instructed,

i have had good results using slip2000 extreme weapons lube

over it on ALL the bearing surfaces.(one drop at a time).

the underside of the charging handle is hollow where the carrier key cycles during

operation. this area gets a blast of pressure during the cycle, keep this channel

lightly lubricated, but dont allow excess to remain in there. it blasts your face.

is this a new weapon?

[Jay Cunningham]

These weapons hardly need cleaned.

[Gentoo]

Thanks for the replies. I did try searching but apparently was using a poor choice of terms, I got either too many or too few results.

Yes this is for a new AR. It will also the second rifle I own (other is a ruger 10/22). The only kind of instruction I was given on how to clean a rifle was back in 1989 in boy scout camp.

Good to know they don't need much cleaning.