Stupid question, but wasn't there a post that went into detail on how to properly....

[hyrepower]

clean your M4? I was able to put it all together, but just want to follow a protocol as to what to lube and how much. Proper way to clean the barell, etc. I could have sworn I saw it somewhere and I did a search, but I can't find it now.
If it exists can someone please help me?

[zac4551]

I have never seen a "protocol" for cleaning a AR I think everyone has their own methods and reasoning.

[Shihan]

Where are you at?

[maximus83]

Of these, I found in the past that the "comic book guide" was the best one for a quick overview of basic care procedures. The military maintenance manual below is by far the most exhaustive; it'll give you pretty much everything you ever wanted to know from maintenance, to troubleshooting, to exploded diagrams of parts and subsystems. Pat's and Larry's comments below are specific to lubrication.

See the thread started by Pat Rogers:

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=6443

Also, check out these tips by Larry Vickers on lubrication:

http://www.vickerstactical.com/TacticalTips/Lubrication.aspx

And here's the infamous comic book maintenance guide:

http://www.ar15.com/content/guides/maintenance/

Finally, here's a link to the military maintenance manual for the M16, M4, etc:

http://www.ar15.com/content/manuals/TM9-1005-319-23.pdf