AR Sponsor
Posted: 11/7/2005 5:54:55 AM EDT
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First, I picked up a carbonfiber rod, jag, and brush for my AR last week. (Gun's not quite finished yet...few more weeks probably. BTW, it's chrome lined.) I wanted to clean the Sabre barrel before install just for shits and grins and was doing so from the muzzle end going back and forth. I also tried to use the chamber brush and of course it got stuck because I didn't have a fixed, flexable chamber rod. I went back and got the chamber cleaning rod and was told that when I clean the bore, you are only suppose to clean from the chamber end, and once the brush pops through the FH, to remove it, pull the rod out, screw the brush back on, and run it down again. Basically that you are only suppose to run the brush down the bore one way. Is this right? I have always cleaned my Kel-Tec carbine, Glocks, P3-AT, Colt .380, etc by going both ways and from the muzzle end only. Second, all this talk about cleaning too much being bad for them has me wondering. How many passes do you guys usually make with a bore brush? I usually do about 6 - 8 passes down and back, then a patch or two of Hoppes semi-auto or Butch's Bore Shine, one dry patch, then one soaked in G96, then one final pass with a dry one again. If you pick up any one of my guns, you wouldn't be able to tell that they had been fired. I have so many now that I am going to let things slide a little from now on, but still want to keep a nice clean arsenal...  especially on my carry guns.I know the AR is a dirty system so I want to be as prepaired as possible for the carbon issue. I have decided to pickup some SLip200 Carbon Cutter. Just ordered direct. If I shoot some Carbon Cutter down the gas tube, do I need to worry about following up with something like G96 or is it safe? How about the Butch's Bore Shine...is there anything I should do after running a wet patch down the barrel to make sure it's out of the gas port? Thanks!!! |
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When you use a bore brush you can certainly run it both ways. Just make sure that the brush has exited either end of the bore before reversing direction. And make sure the bore and brush have plenty of solvent on them while scrubbing. Also, check occasionally to ensure the brush isn't coming unscrewed from the rod. I usually make 10 passes, patch it out and do it again. Cleaning the AR in an upright position, that is - sights above bore, should keep solvent from getting in the gas port. I've never had any problems with the gas port getting clogged up. I think it sort of cleans itself when fired. |
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I clean only by pulling from the muzzle end of the barrel. For example, the Otis cleaning system uses a flexible cable to pull brushes and patches through the bore. You thread the cable down the bore and pull your patches and brush from the breech end to the muzzle. The whole idea is to protect the crown. You don't want to be banging your rod he I do the same with my pistols as well. ETA- I would never drop a bare threaded steel rod end through my barrel, however. |
You should run a patch with some solvent down the barrel first, to loosen any deposits, remove loose carbon, dissolve some of the carbon that is loosened by the brush, and lubricate the brush as it passes. Otherwise you're just pushing the carbon around. After using the brush--I give it two passes in my chrome-lined AR--use a couple patches with solvent, then a dry, then a couple with oil. Overcleaning causes premature wear. |
Thanks man, I'm sure I haven't screwed anything up too bad. Out of curiousity, what is the importance in keeping the crown from getting jacked?  Does the same hold true for the FH if it's installed? Are brass core / bronze bristle brushes still potentially hazardous to the rifling?
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The expanding propellant gases exit at the crown behind the bullet. The crown is also the very last part of the rifle to touch the bullet. If part of the crown is worn away more than the rest of it, the gases will escape first in that area causing the flight of the bullet to be affected. The flash hider doesn't touch the bullet and shouldn't matter. Brass/bronze brushes are fine, because they're softer than the interior surface of the bore. It's the tip of those things that makes me wonder, and that's why I pull through. What definitely can mess up your bore is those sectioned steel rods that they sell at walmart. The section joints, if loose, can scratch the rifling. I'm sure you haven't messed anything up with your chrome-lined barrel with one or two cleanings. |
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