Carbon build up on the bolt

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Carbon build up on the bolt

Posted: 12/3/2005 4:47:33 PM EDT

I've been wondering, I haven't tried to remove the carbon build up on the tail of the bolt behind the rings... Should I scrape it off or leave it be?

Posted: 12/3/2005 5:13:57 PM EDT

[#1]

You need to clean the carbon off.
A good and easy way to get rid of all that nasty carbon is get a medience bottle (CVS,or Wallgreen Drug Store type) fill it about 2/3 full with your favorite bore cleaner. Montana Xtreme or Hoppes 9 will do just fine. Drop the whole bolt into the medience bottle and soak it for a few minutes. Take it out wipe it off. If some carbon is still attached, use a steel brush or I like to use a green (army type) scouring pad. Cut a small piece off, 1"x 2" size and use it to remove the remainder off.
Good luck.

Posted: 12/3/2005 7:07:53 PM EDT

[#2]

Ah! I've got plenty of pill bottles I could use... thanks for the tip!

Posted: 12/4/2005 2:28:04 AM EDT

[#3]

NO STEEL BRUSHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you need to scrub using mechanical means, try using and old bore brush , old tooth brush or GI nylon weapons brush. You could even pick up a pack of brass cleaning brushes from the auto store or WalMart.

The soaking is ok. I soak my entire disassembled bolt and carrier in a 50/50 solution of Hoppes #9 and Turpentine.

Posted: 12/11/2005 9:34:07 AM EDT

[#4]

It is self limiting, don't worry about it.

Posted: 12/11/2005 6:39:37 PM EDT

[#5]

KG-1 will disolve it practically on contact. No need to soak parts in it. KG also contains no ammonia.

Posted: 12/11/2005 7:05:16 PM EDT

[#6]

LEAVE IT. Per Armalite. Ck their website - the carbon is SELF LIMITING

I quit scraping like 15,000 rounds ago.

It only builds up a bit, the excess breaks off and is bye-bye

Posted: 12/16/2005 2:29:02 PM EDT

[#7]

As in the soakin thread, F4YR is correct....don't worry about it! It won't hurt a thing.

Posted: 12/17/2005 7:55:01 PM EDT

[#8]

Posted: 12/18/2005 4:36:05 PM EDT

[#9]

If you are worried about it, use a few drops of Kroil and a little piece of green scouring pad, it will
come right off.

Weazer

Posted: 12/19/2005 2:00:39 AM EDT

[#10]

i have PERSONALLY seen a buddy's bushmaster bolt snap in two a year and a half ago while he was firing because he never cleaned the carbon. when we finally got it out, i could not believe how filthy it was. i have never left any carbon on my bolt or in my carrier since that day. YMMV.

Posted: 12/19/2005 9:32:29 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

i have PERSONALLY seen a buddy's bushmaster bolt snap in two a year and a half ago while he was firing because he never cleaned the carbon. when we finally got it out, i could not believe how filthy it was. i have never left any carbon on my bolt or in my carrier since that day. YMMV.

I'll wager there was more going on.

I have over 10,000 rounds on a Bushmaster that I don't clean carbon on. I do clean the rifle, but I don't scrape carbon

Posted: 12/19/2005 11:55:25 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

I'll wager there was more going on.

I have over 10,000 rounds on a Bushmaster that I don't clean carbon on. I do clean the rifle, but I don't scrape carbon

parhaps. however, i wont risk it as i carry my rifle on duty. i hope it doesnt happen to anyone else, that's why i shared the story.

Posted: 12/19/2005 2:19:32 PM EDT

[#13]

How would carbon buildup cause the bolt to break? I'm lost here.

Edit: How about the cam pin? Ammo?

Posted: 12/20/2005 2:11:42 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
How would carbon buildup cause the bolt to break? I'm lost here.

Edit: How about the cam pin? Ammo?

it broke in two directly across the cam pin hole. he was a believer in the "i dont touch the carbon" group. as far as ammo? hell, you name it, he shot it!

Posted: 12/20/2005 7:20:54 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Quoted:
How would carbon buildup cause the bolt to break? I'm lost here.

Edit: How about the cam pin? Ammo?

it broke in two directly across the cam pin hole. he was a believer in the "i dont touch the carbon" group. as far as ammo? hell, you name it, he shot it!

I still don't see how carbon buildup could have caused it.

Posted: 12/20/2005 7:31:24 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
NO STEEL BRUSHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you need to scrub using mechanical means, try using and old bore brush , old tooth brush or GI nylon weapons brush. You could even pick up a pack of brass cleaning brushes from the auto store or WalMart.

The soaking is ok. I soak my entire disassembled bolt and carrier in a 50/50 solution of Hoppes #9 and Turpentine.

NONSENSE!

I've been using the same stainless steel wire brush for over 10 years. It hasn't even taken off the finish.

Posted: 12/20/2005 8:00:29 AM EDT

[#17]

Rumor has it that a .308 round fits over the shaft and cleans much of the carbon. However, I don't worry about it, and can't say this is true or false.

Posted: 12/20/2005 1:13:09 PM EDT

[#18]

That carbon is affecting the action somehow. I fired 180 rounds of remington UMC this weekend and when I pulled the BC after separating the two halves for cleaning I actually had to use the charging handle to break it free. I've never had a BC that tight during 6 years service in the military.

Posted: 12/21/2005 9:42:25 AM EDT

[#19]

I use a wire wheel on the bench grinder. I can see where carbon particles would break off (self-limiting) and could "wedge" between the bolt bore and gas rings also breaking off a piece of a gas ring.

Posted: 12/30/2005 9:54:06 AM EDT

[#20]

Don't worry about it. It is self limiting. It will blow away before it gets to be a problem.

Posted: 12/30/2005 10:19:51 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Don't worry about it. It is self limiting. It will blow away before it gets to be a problem.

Tell that to the D.I.!!!

Posted: 12/30/2005 11:38:15 AM EDT

[#22]

For you guys who absolutely must have a spotless bolt, try BreakFree Carbon Clean. It will get you where you want to go without all that scrubbing, and with no risk of scratching the bolt.

Posted: 12/30/2005 12:04:40 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
For you guys who absolutely must have a spotless bolt, try BreakFree Carbon Clean. It will get you where you want to go without all that scrubbing, and with no risk of scratching the bolt.

Seriously though... as stated above, I've been using a steel wire brush for like 10 years with no damage to the finish, let alone the bolt.

Posted: 12/30/2005 1:45:30 PM EDT

[#24]

I use my fingernail and fp-10. comes off no problems. ammo XM193, imi 55 grain 223. rounds count usally under 200.

granted I run mt bolts wet with fp-10.

Posted: 1/6/2006 7:50:32 PM EDT

[#25]

Carbon can get really bad there, especially after lots of full-auto fire. It needs to be cleaned; that is the only part I use steel brushes on, as the finish is already pretty much gone there anyway. Just don't let it get bad enough that it has to be basically chiseled off.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Carbon build up on the bolt

AR-15 » Maintenance & Cleaning

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