I clean usually every 500-2000 rounds depending on the gun. I did recently take my SR15 up to about 5k without cleaning but I couldn't take it anymore, and cleaned it.
While my cleaning method isn't meant to get every last particle of carbon out it does at least a 90 to 95 percent job. Just scrub down with Carbon Cutter, foam bore cleaned, USGI chamber brush in a low speed cordless drill, spray everything off with brake cleaner, wipe everything with an oily rag, and then a few drops of oil in the BCG. Ill run a bore snake a few times as well. "Precision" barrels get cleaned with a rod, patches, and brushes every couple to three thousand rounds. Lowers I usually just wipe down every other time, and get scrubbed/sprayed the other time. Guys with cans should be cleaning them every time as the blow back will cause a lot more fouling than without a can. Ive seen/heard 1st hand where peoples guns started to fail around 2k rounds due to the build up in the FCG.
I don't think you can over clean an AR but you can damage them. Things like scrubbing metal so much you wear the finish off (lots of military guns), using USGI cleaning rods (steel), maybe leaving harsh bore cleaners on too long.
Im definitely not in the crowd of guys who treat their guns like shit intentionally dinging them up, and spouting off how cleaning a firearm every couple thousand rounds is pointless. Besides part of the purpose of cleaning is giving you the chance to perform a PMCS on thr weapon checking for unusual wear, broken parts, overall condition, etc. The guys who shoot their guns, and then just toss them in a case until the next time they shoot never get a chance to properly break the weapon down, and see whats going on. Not very responsible especially if you use the gun for HD or duty use.


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