AR Sponsor
Posted: 4/17/2005 6:18:20 PM EDT
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I noticed my op rod is getting a bit dirty. Is it necessary to remove and clean this every so often? I tried to figure it out, but after a quick look, I wasn't able to. So, how do I remove it and does it need to be done that often if ever? Thanks, Kris |
Search for "gas tube cleaning", no you don't need to do anything to it, the 30,000psi (or whatever) gas keeps it clean for you. You can run a cloth with some CLP over the outside of it. |
| First when you say "operating rod"an AR has none unless yours has a short stroke gas piston taking the place of your rifles direct gas functioning.If you mean the gas tube,pipe cleaners are not necessary and can cause more problems than they cure.Any debris in the tube gets blown out under the 52,000 PSI gas pressure the AR gives off.Its only necesary to clean off carbon from the exposed part of the tube that potrudes from the inside of the upper.The tube dosent need to be removed to be cleaned or unless you get a pipe cleaner stuck or debris from the pipe cleaner gets stuck in the tube wich can happen.Dont go looking for a a non existing problem wich needs no cure.More ARs are wrecked beleive it or not from over cleaning aka dental picks or maintenece thats not needed for potential problems that dont exist.An AR dosent need to so clean as to eat of it for it to run properly.Contrary to popular beleif it will function when filthy it just cant put up with filthy say in a desert environment for long with out maintenece.Diferent climates require different maintenece concerns and care,Some climates need more others considerably less. |
So that silver tube above the barrel and under the handguards doesn't move? It's just a tube that redirects the gases to the bolt carrier? Wow, I didn't know that! I thought it was an actual operating rod. No wonder it didn't move very easily.  Glad I didn't try to force it out or anything  Thanks for saving me the trouble of replacing it after I bent/broke it. If you can't tell, this is my first AR.  Kris |
Yup, to remove it you have to drive out the little pin in the front sight base/gas block. |
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