AR Sponsor
Posted: 7/28/2007 6:33:15 PM EDT
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If I shoot my rifle 200 per month (1) Do I need to clean inside of the gas tube and gas port? (2) If the gas tube need to be clean, how do I clean it? (3) Do I need to remove the gas tube completely? (4) What's the best gun solvent for cleaning the gas tube? |
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I have two AR15 and two AR10 type-rifles, have never cleaned the gas tube, and have never had a problem. However, a couple of weeks ago I watched a friend and experienced match shooter clean his AR15, and we talked about the gas tube, and now I wonder… He cleans the gas tube by squirting an aerosol cleaner* as follows: After he cleaned the bore rather well, he inserted the small, thin plastic tube (that is attached to the aerosol can nozzle) into the gas tube at the receiver end, and sprayed for a couple of seconds. He then showed me the bore, and it showed a couple of small, black clumps (carbon?) in the bore at the gas block. He then finished cleaning the bore. Has anyone else tried this? * I can’t remember whether he used brake cleaner or carburetor cleaner for this. Does anyone here which one should or should not be used for this? |
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It's like the battery cables on your car. The only time you need to clean them or worry about them is when your stranded in a parking lot at 2:00 am in freezing cold temperatures without the tools to do it. Perhaps I am the oddball here but I clean mine after 1,000 rounds or so with Hoppes and a long pipe cleaner. You would be surprised at the gunk that comes out. |
And the first five shots you fire aftwards will put that gunk right back in. The carbon in the gas tube is self-limiting. |
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I installed a low profile gas block on my ar, and figured since I had everything apart, I would clean everything. including the gas tube. the pipe cleaner came out virtually clean. there was more carbon buildup on the outside of the end of the tube than the entire inside of the tube. just reinforced my opinion that it never needs to be cleaned. ETA: this was after about 2500 rnds. |
Eh for the sake of it I sprayed Gun scrubber down my Buddies Bushmaster (he left for marines and left it in my hands) it looked dirty... So after field stripping and giving it a nice cleaning job (he's a good friend of mine) so It could be put in the safe for long term storage... I sprayed the gun scrubber down the Gas tube... I left it run through the block and drain out the muzzle end... It actually came out somewhat grey (dirty) then about 2-4 seconds of spraying it ran clean (color of Gun scrubber pressurized areosol cleaner) So for the few second it takes I suppose it can't hurt... I then follow up with a quick CLP spray thru... very lightly... just for corrosion prevention for long term storage... even though it is stainless... it just stains less  Can't hurt right??? Now in the field... I would'nt worry about it... cuz if you shoot it 1,000 times... you've cleaned it 1,000 times... If only the Ak was the same way... Damn Ak gas system... 
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