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Posted: 5/18/2007 2:20:09 AM EDT
| Back in the day, when I toted a colt for a living, weapon inspects were real and serious buisness. My secret trick was to give it a long hot shower. This loosened up the gunk and made scraping easy, then to the shower again. After a good lube,it was ready for inspection. Never had a hit. No dust or dirt evn in the deepest resses. Of course this was uncles gun, not my new rra. I never reveiled this method. is thier any reason this method should not be used? |
| Maybee give it a splash of WD-40 afterwards to displace the water. That is what I do to my glocks after cleaning them with dish soap and a toothbrush in the sink. The easiest way to clean an AR is BF bore foam in the recievers and down the barrell. Bust it up with finger or tooth brush then blast it out with break cleaner. Run some bore shine or just BF down the barrell and relube. It does not get any cleaner. |
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I saw guys do this in Iraq and Kuwait. After the "rinse cycle" they'd lay it outside on a cot or something for about 15-20 minutes. It'd be so hot you could hardly hold on to it, which probably took care of the moisture. Even so, I personally wouldn't use water to clean my own guns. Then again, soap and water is standard procedure for percussion handguns, isn't it? |
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www.lejeune.usmc.mil/soi/MCT/student%20handouts/CS0202S.doc This is a student handout from the School of Infantry Infantry Training Battalion Camp Lejeune NC (damn thats a long name). Open the file and search for the word water. You should come to a paragraph that list the authorized cleaners for the M240G MMG where you will find warm soapy water. |
Thanks for the link!  One thing I notice though is that soapy water is at the end of the list, with CLP being first. Maybe the Marines consider soapy water as a last ditch effort to keep their weapons clean, and it makes sense. A weapon cleaned with the only thing available....water, is better than taking chances with a dirty weapon. They also mention cleaning three times verses once as most Army documentation states. I went through my Army career being trained on the “three-time rule” which I think just recently changed. Thanks again for the link! I really admire someone who can actually produce documentation to back their statements rather than simply repeating hear say. |
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The only times I have ever used the soapy water was after a long range where we had a rather large pre deployment readyness inspection a few days later. It worked well but yes it is the last choice. Also the three days of cleaning (at least the way I always do it) is to simply scrape off most of the carbon the first day and wipe off whatever will wipe off then layer on a light coat of CLP. Second day a good wipedown of everything with another light coat of CLP. Third day same thing. By the third day most of the crap thats going to bleed out has come out and been wiped off by then. Also if I'm not sure about something I try to find out the truth. If I am simply repeating something I've heard somewhere I'll say so. If something is my opinion I'll say that too. I've encountered too many "gun experts" in the military to believe everything I hear without being able to confirm it and I just dont want to be "one of thoes guys". 
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Basically how we did the “3X” cleanings as well. First time was a complete cleaning as well as days two and three.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I like to provide documentation to back up what I’m saying. To add credibility to my statements. If I do not have documentation then I too will state that this my personal opinion. If I do not have documentation I will also search for it and get back to the person. I post lots of Army maintenance tips where applicable. Not to insist that the military does EVERYTHING right, but to make guys think twice before they consider doing something. Take q-tips for example. The Army states not to use them, they leave behind traces of cotton fibers which can plug gas ports, ect. Well, if you use a little common sense when cleaning with q-tips you shouldn’t have a problem. Another thing I will not hesitate to do on this board is to admit I “stand corrected” when proven wrong. |
I haven't been here very long but I would bet you don't find yourself in that position very often. You're one of the people whose posts and replies I always pay attention to. |
Well thank you.
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If the water is damn hot and the to heat up good  the water evaporates and you can spray it down w/ Rusty Duck after. At least that's how I've been told it's done. edit: in retrospect, that didn't look good, after seeing markm's next post |
Oh hell, i don't need an excuse for that. Add your girl, and you've got a PARTY BABY!!!!!  Sorry, a little off subject. As far as soapy water. The TM stated to remove ALL cleaning agents. So, i suppose if you can get all the water off the rifle, go ahead. |
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