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Posted: 3/13/2008 4:54:05 PM EDT
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I am higly considering buying an AR-15 or M4 variant but i like to do alot of research before i buy something that will cost a half months salary. i came across this statement on a website that i like to read and it stated "The only major drawback is that the AR-10 has the same dirty gas tube action as an AR-15. Just be sure to clean your rifles frequently and scrupulously." My question is, does the inside of the gas tube actually get gunked up and need cleaning, if so is it possible to clean the inside of the gas tube with a field strip. Also is it ok to use hoppes no. 9 and lube it with the same oil i use on my other guns? thanks guys. -possum |
First... Because the M-16/AR-15 type rifle does not use a gas-piston, the gases which travel from a port in the barrel and through the gas tube are blown directly into the receiver. The gases contain the remnants of the burnt gunpowder from the fired cartridge. These remnants may be referred to as 'powder fouling', 'carbon fouling' or just 'carbon'. The particles which fail to exit the ejection port along with spent brass, form deposits on the bolt, bolt cam-pin, bolt-carrier, firing pin, charging handle and the interior of the reciever. The M-16/AR-15 is thought to be 'dirty' because powder fouling is blown directly into the receiver and forms deposits on all the parts therein. For this type of rifle, that is NORMAL. A properly maintained rifle will have enough lubrication to function normally while powder fouling is being introduced into the receiver during firing. I've fired 200 or more cartridges in a single range session. Other's have tested their rifles for even greater durations of firing without a failure. Next... No, the gas tube does not get gunked up during normal use. The pressures generated during the firing of a cartridge blow the tube clear of anything that might deposit on the interior surface of the gas tube. Any potential 'gunk' is blown into the receiver. Next... It is not standard procedure to clean the inside of the gas tube. The gas tube is not dissasembled during cleaning. Next... It is okay to use Hoppe's #9 cleaning solvent for cleaning. It is okay to use Hoppe's oil for lubrication. You won't harm the rifle by using Hoppe's products. The product issued to military personnel for M-16 maintenance is "CLP". It is known commercially as "BreakFree-CLP". I've used Hoppe's in the past and have discontinued my use of it. I prefer BreakFree-CLP over Hoppe's products. I suggest trying both to determine which will satisfy your needs best. Everyone has their favorite cleaner and/or lubricant. See this thread for some examples ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=7&t=359297 Below are links to various manuals. I suggest reading them thoroughly to gain a better understanding of how the M-16/AR-15 functions, how it performs during operations and how to care for it. Welcome to the forum. Good luck and enjoy your rifle.  www.ar15.com/content/manuals/manual_bushmaster.pdf www.ar15.com/content/manuals/manual_olyarms_ar.pdf www.ar15.com/content/manuals/TM9-1005-319-10.pdf www.ar15.com/content/manuals/FM23-9.pdf |
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