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Posted: 8/10/2014 10:08:17 AM EDT
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Hi Everyone,
I am hoping someone can answer the below questions. I am not new to firearms just new to AR's. I recently purchased a Colt Socom and cleaned it for the first time today. Just wondering if someone can help me answer the below questions. 1) I lubed it based on some youtube video's but find that the bolt does not move around as easily as they show. It moved in and out and around but it does not go out if I flick it. I am assuming this is because it is new but can someone confirm 2) I was shocked at how dirty the barrel was on my new AR. Is this normal? It took me about 10 or so patches to get it clean. 3) I was using the tipton rod for the chamber brush but since the tipton rotates it is does nothing. Is there another way of cleaning this with the tipton or do I need to get a fixed cleaning rod? The last question is not really with cleaning but actually shooting. The AR came with a Maytech pop up rear sight. If I am at the range and shooting from 10y to 50y what value do i place it at? I am assuming the line but how far off it will it be say at 10y? Thanks T |
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Quoted: Hi Everyone, I am hoping someone can answer the below questions. I am not new to firearms just new to AR's. I recently purchased a Colt Socom and cleaned it for the first time today. Just wondering if someone can help me answer the below questions. 1) I lubed it based on some youtube video's but find that the bolt does not move around as easily as they show. It moved in and out and around but it does not go out if I flick it. I am assuming this is because it is new but can someone confirm 2) I was shocked at how dirty the barrel was on my new AR. Is this normal? It took me about 10 or so patches to get it clean. 3) I was using the tipton rod for the chamber brush but since the tipton rotates it is does nothing. Is there another way of cleaning this with the tipton or do I need to get a fixed cleaning rod? The last question is not really with cleaning but actually shooting. The AR came with a Maytech pop up rear sight. If I am at the range and shooting from 10y to 50y what value do i place it at? I am assuming the line but how far off it will it be say at 10y? Thanks T 1- Probably because it is new, it should loosen up slightly with use 2- Firearms are usully test fired at the factory to ensure proper operation, and with the market being what it is, your rifle was probably sitting in a warehouse somewhere waiting for its day 3- Cleaning rods are supposed to rotate inside the barrel and move according to twist and lands/grooves |
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1) You don't want it to be loose, either (you should be able to stand the entire BCG on the extended bolt face without it retracting; test for worn gas rings). It should wear in pretty quickly.
2) Probably from test firing at the factory; I've never run patches through a new barrel (bore snake, yes, patches, no). 3) I almost exclusively use bore snakes...or 550 cord with knots in it. 4) The line on the Matech is for zeroing a rifle (M16). For a carbine (M4) you set it at the range you are zeroing to (300m is common; some prefer 200m). For a 25m-300m zero, POI is POA at 25m; 50m-200m zero POI is POA at 50m. If you zero to 50m-200m at 25m you'll be about 1.25" low at 25m. |
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Quoted:
1) I lubed it based on some youtube video's but find that the bolt does not move around as easily as they show. It moved in and out and around but it does not go out if I flick it. I am assuming this is because it is new but can someone confirm 2) I was shocked at how dirty the barrel was on my new AR. Is this normal? It took me about 10 or so patches to get it clean. 3) I was using the tipton rod for the chamber brush but since the tipton rotates it is does nothing. Is there another way of cleaning this with the tipton or do I need to get a fixed cleaning rod? 1. It should be fairly tight when new. When the bolt gets very loose in the cqrrier the gas rings are probably worn out. 2. Dirty from the factory? Test fired @ factory 3. You will need a dedicated cleaning rod or handle for the chamber brush PS: Star Chamber...proper term is barrel extension. |
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Colt rifles are always more fouled from factory test firing because Colt shoots more ammo through each rifle than most other makers.
Most makers will fire only a few rounds. I understand that Colt fires at least 30 rounds to fully test reliability and accuracy. I could be wrong on that, but Colt barrels are fouled much more than any other brand I've seen, and that can only mean more ammo fired in testing. For cleaning the chamber and locking lug area you will need a rod that won't rotate. You can buy a dedicated rod from Brownell's for this, or you can use the handle section of the military M16 cleaning rod. One trick to save money is to make your own rod. You can use a cheap brass or aluminum rod. Just cut down a cheap rod and epoxy a wood handle on it. Note that this is the ONLY time you should use a brass or aluminum rod. Since you won't be using it in the bore, there's no risk to a soft metal rod. |
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Quoted:
Colt rifles are always more fouled from factory test firing because Colt shoots more ammo through each rifle than most other makers. Most makers will fire only a few rounds. I understand that Colt fires at least 30 rounds to fully test reliability and accuracy. I could be wrong on that, but Colt barrels are fouled much more than any other brand I've seen, and that can only mean more ammo fired in testing. I've noticed this as well, even the NIB M4's our battalion got in '08 had dirty barrels, not sure of round count though. hth William |
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I'd call a bolt that slips out if you flick the carrier "ready for new rings." It should NOT move in and out "really easily" especially when new.
5.56mm ammo is dirty, and some of it is filthy. Welcome to the Dirty Hands Club. It will get a little better as you use the gun. Remember that this is not a benchrest rifle that has to be pristine all the time, it's built to run without having a lot of effort put into keeping it running. You need a CHAMBER BRUSH ROD for a chamber brush. Dewey makes one that's superb. Just spend the few bucks to get that and don't worry about other kinds of rods. Remember, you only need a FEW turns of the chamber brush to get the locking recesses, chamber and everything in between. Clean out the gunk you loosen with the brush with solvent and wash it down the barrel toward the muzzle. That actually helps get the powder fouling out of the rifling while you're at it. You can zero an AR at 50 yards for a combat zero out to 300 yards...Use the Matech sight set at 300 yards and your 50 yard POA will be pretty close. For less than 50 yards, the rear peep sight is big enough for you to see an entire silhouette target...use the front sight post and keep it centered in the rear aperture and you'll do OK. |
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