AR Sponsor
Posted: 12/25/2011 10:57:21 AM EDT
| My fiance bought my a M&P15 for xmas as a duty rifle. I'm pretty new to the weapon system and wanted to know if there was anything I should do when I take it out to shoot for the first time. One of my fellow officers said something about cleaning the barrel after every shot for the first 10 rounds to make sure the "burrs" from the barrel being machined are cleaned out for sure. now I have a good few pistols and never even heard of something like that being an issue. I just want to be sure the weapon lasts and remains reliable for obvious reasons. I've already taken it apart and cleaned and oiled it primarily because when i did take it apart it was bone dry. Is this a wet firearm or dry like glocks? and lastly as for sighting it in should i sight in at 50yards or 100 yards? It was a trade in gun at my local shop but never been fired before. any tips or suggestions are greatly appreciated thanks. |
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Congrats on your new rifle. You'll need to lube the bolt/ carrier. SLIP 2000 or Froglube work well. Some use Mobil 5000. I prefer then Slip 2000.
The issue of barrel break in has been long debated. I personally do not do it. I clean the barrel when it's new and just shoot it. Do what your heart tells you, and enjoy. |
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On a plinker I just clean it then go shoot. On a gun I want to keep as more of a precision shooter I clean between each of the first 20 rounds. One barrel company will tell you to just go shoot it and another will tell you to clean each cycly for the first 10-20 shots.
I've never seen conclusive research that states either way is beneficial or detrimental. My advice is just go out and have fun with your new piece. 
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clean and re-lube, then shoot.
The barrel break in that your friend described is not needed for a chrome lined AR barrel. It is done by many people on bolt action type precision rifles. You might want to invest in an H buffer if it doesn't have one, but its not necessary. |
As for break in, unless you plan to shoot bench rest, I wouldn't worry about it. I did a lot of research and came to the conclusion to just shoot and clean when done with the range session, I do this with all my firearms anyway. As for a zero, I used a 50 yd zero. Zeroed at 50 yd will keep the bullet within 2.5" of point of aim out to 250 yds. Here is a chart for zero comparison.
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Clean it first, get any heavy preservative out of the rifle.
Barrel break in is not really a factor with a chrome lined barrel. As opposed to most of the suggestions for whatever brand uber-lube, I usually recommend a light oil like Rem oil, automotive motor oil, even WD40, applied heavily, for the first 100 rounds or so. Clean well again then change to your choice in usual lubricant. |
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I have very strict regime on shooting new guns. I load a magazine up and fire one round. I disassemble and thoroughly clean every part. Repeat til magazine is empty.
Oh wait...no I don't. I make sure that there are no barrel obstructions...then I lube the bcg. Then I shoot the gun till it quits smoking or I stop giggling ... Next question....what kind of lube should you use. I own slip ewl ...but I have used Mobil one..new from a bottle ...I have even used the dipstick from my engine ...I might of even used neosporen once....DON'T JUDGE ME!!! What I don't do is shoot garbage ammo. Enjoy |
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Ok, better to do your own reading than to listen to 1000 opinions.
Start here. Cleaning and Maint What lube to use is always a topic for debate. Typically what everyone will at least minimally agree on is that BreakFree CLP is an acceptable lube. Its also widely available at most gun shops, WallyWorld, Cabella's, etc and a 4 oz bottle will run you about $6-10. One note with CLP is that it will dry up over a few weeks. Plan to lube at every use if the gun has been sitting more than a few days. (this is where most of the discussions spring from....) Secondly, AR's like to run wet. What that means is also debatable my most. (its never easy here....) Its something between a good sheen and "OMG...oils running down my wrist!" This is a GREAT site to learn everything you want to know about your AR. People will bash the S&W, but at the same time smile and run away giggling if they could pick one up slightly used for $200. Of course there are those people that would not even think about picking up a gun that didn't have COLT stamped on it somewhere. If you have a Glock already, you know these types. Stay out of General Discussion till you learn to have a thick skin. This is the interweb and EVERYONE has an opinion or political stance. The Tech forum sections are moderated a bit more and focus on the data. WELCOME!! 
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