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Thread: AR Maintenance, recommended cleaning products/tools?

  1. #1
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    AR Maintenance, recommended cleaning products/tools?

    Before I start let me say that I'm starting from scratch. I currently have a CZ452 .22, and will soon (hopefully) have a CMMG 16" Mid-length Lightweight AR. As of now I have ZERO cleaning products (I decided to sell everything off and start fresh), but am looking to put a small collection together.

    As it stands, budget wise, the AR won't see more than 200 rounds at a time. I'm incredibly OCPD, thus it will be cleaned after every range trip. So far I have the following on my "to buy" list:

    Cleaning products:
    Break-Free CLP (everything)
    Break-Free LP (for the bolt/carrier)
    Break-Free Foaming Bore Cleaner

    So the question is, can I get away with using a .22 boresnake for general purpose cleaning , or should I head the old "cleaning kit" direction; more specifically a rod, jag, brass brush, patches, etc.

    Does anyone have a step-by-step procedure that they'd like to share, preferably with pictures?

    Thanks!
    Best Regards,
    28_days

  2. #2
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    A lot of people use a bore snake. That should get you by till you can afford a nice cleaning rod and bore guide.

  3. #3
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    Thumbs up Wet real wet Boresnake

    Quote Originally Posted by watchluvr4ever View Post
    A lot of people use a bore snake. That should get you by till you can afford a nice cleaning rod and bore guide.
    What ever you do DON't try pulling a dry boresnake through your ARs bbl. get it really wet with Breakfree CLP before pulling it through. You don't want it to get stuck and if dry chances are it will. Trust me on this item.

  4. #4
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    I guess my big question is that if I clean it religiously, can I get by with just a boresnake for the barrel?

    What tools should I look at as far as the internals go?

    Externally I'm going to pick up a 1" soft-bristle paint brush to apply light CLP with.
    Best Regards,
    28_days

  5. #5
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    Thumbs up Stuff you really need

    Quote Originally Posted by 28_days View Post
    I guess my big question is that if I clean it religiously, can I get by with just a boresnake for the barrel?

    What tools should I look at as far as the internals go?

    Externally I'm going to pick up a 1" soft-bristle paint brush to apply light CLP with.
    You need a 5.56 AR chamber brush this item is very important.
    A quality one piece cleaning rod like a dewey is IMHO a must. I find a bore guide a Dewey or Tipton is mighty helpful. Quality bbl. brushs and quality bbl. Jags are a must.

    Quality Copper Solvent also Breakfree CLP and my choice of Lub. CrrosionX http://www.corrosionx.com/
    Also quality cotton .223/5.56 patchs.

    Pipe cleaners for the bolt carrier key.

    I have a bolt carrier carbon scraper tool. steve at ADCO has a bunch of quality tools every AR owner needs.

    http://www.adcofirearms.com/acc/Prod...%20Gunsmithing

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    Thanks for the info/links!

    Does the gas tube need to be cleaned often? The rifle won't see more than 2000 rounds a year, so I'm not sure if this will be necessary.

    Anyone else?
    Best Regards,
    28_days

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by 28_days View Post
    Thanks for the info/links!

    Does the gas tube need to be cleaned often? The rifle won't see more than 2000 rounds a year, so I'm not sure if this will be necessary.

    Anyone else?
    The gas tube really does not need any special cleaning as over 30K of gas pressure keeps it unblocked really well.

    The small gaskey on the boltcarrier is very easy to run a pipe cleaner through also through the firing pin hole.

    You will quickly learn all the little places to clean using Q-Tips and ways to make the cleaning process go quickly and made easy.

    Remember one very important item. NEVER iNEVER EVER install the bolt into the carrier without the bolt campin installed. If you leave the campin out and install the bolt and carrier into your AR and the campin turns and trust me it will somehow turn and then you will have a locked in bolt&carrier. And it's not and easy task getting it unlocked.

  8. #8
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    Unless you are using some type of chemical solvent sticking a pipe cleaner in the gas tube or the bolt carrier key will do nothing much, but keep you occupied.

    Quote Originally Posted by 28_days View Post
    Thanks for the info/links!

    Does the gas tube need to be cleaned often? The rifle won't see more than 2000 rounds a year, so I'm not sure if this will be necessary.

    Anyone else?

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    I use nylon brushes from Dewy to clean my barrels.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by rifleshooter View Post
    You need a 5.56 AR chamber brush this item is very important.
    A quality one piece cleaning rod like a dewey is IMHO a must. I find a bore guide a Dewey or Tipton is mighty helpful. Quality bbl. brushs and quality bbl. Jags are a must.
    I skip the bore guide and jags. I use my Dewey rod with slotted tips to pull patches thru the bore military style instead of pushing thru. I have to take the upper completely off, but I do that anyway to clean the carbon out of the receiver.
    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

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