Quote History Originally Posted By Mad-Machinist:
I have found that if the gas system fouls quickly, the culprit is usually a shooter who lubes with CLP....the low flash point combined with the higher gas temps from the super short gas system create an abrasive sludge that locks things up.
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I shoot exclusively Win 231 full house loads with 230 grain plated or ball, not known for being the cleanest. I also lube with CLP.
I haven't done anything to clean my gas tube and I don't recall if I have even taken my bolt out of my BCG in several thousand rounds.
I have an Echo II, so my .45 has seen some rounds. When I recently changed out the upper, I noticed nothing out of the ordinary with the gas tube and simply cleaned the upper with some brake cleaner and compressed air.
My .223 weapons that I run more often with a can see much more fouling.
I do tend to do a quick wipe down of the external bolt surfaces and a cursory wipe of the internals about every other range trip. On any AR platform I usually apply fresh CLP to the usual places right before heading to the range, when I can remember to do it, whether I clean it or not.