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Posted: 12/17/2008 1:21:58 PM EDT
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I am completely new to the firearms world. Though I have always been interested.
I recently purchased my first firearm, a Bushmaster AR-15, and had some questions. Do I need to clean the rifle prior to it's first firing? Is there anything in particular that I need to be aware of? I did purchase an Otis Elite cleaning kit / system which supposedly handles all calibers / bores. Was this a wise choice? (just arrived today) Thanks! |
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I am completely new to the firearms world. Though I have always been interested. I recently purchased my first firearm, a Bushmaster AR-15, and had some questions. Do I need to clean the rifle prior to it's first firing? Yes, by all means clean it, you dont know what kind of crap is in the barrel, you need to learn the function of how things work b4 putting live rounds in it. Is there anything in particular that I need to be aware of? NOt really. just take your time, check online manuals on how to clean, disassemble the firearm, learn how to be safe, do safety checks and dry fire drills so you know how it works. DO NOT USE LIVE ROUNDS OR MAG LOADED to do this. I did purchase an Otis Elite cleaning kit / system which supposedly handles all calibers / bores. Was this a wise choice? (just arrived today) Nothing wrong with this. Ive got an 50cal ammo can full of cleaning gear, but I mainly use an old USGI Cleaning kit. Also go from BREACH END TO clean, run the patch thru the barrel and once its out, pull the patch off, dont run it back thru like ppl like to do. your just running the same crap back thru the barrel Thanks! Make sure everything functions and lube up the bolt pretty good, but not soaking wet. |
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Excellent! Thank you for the heads up. I was somewhat sure I should clean it first but was tempted to head to the range. (Avoided doing this last Sat. due to no cleaning kit)
Now I am very glad that I held off. I have a solid 11 days off starting Friday so I will have a good stretch of time to familiarize myself. BTW this forum is awesome, I have gotten lost in the huge wealth of information here. 
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make sure you clean it after every trip to the range. Well......................that is up to each individual. If I only put less than 200rds at the range I will clean it every 2nd or 3rd trip unless I run into malfunctions. And then there are diff. levels of cleaning. Sometimes I just pull the bolt, spray it with brake cleaner and then lube it up, put a patch or two thru the barrel and call it a day. Other times Ill strip the bolt down, soak it good and then clean it good and then clean the upper and chamber really well, clean the lower and regrease the springs, etc.
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make sure you clean it after every trip to the range. Well......................that is up to each individual. If I only put less than 200rds at the range I will clean it every 2nd or 3rd trip unless I run into malfunctions. And then there are diff. levels of cleaning. Sometimes I just pull the bolt, spray it with brake cleaner and then lube it up, put a patch or two thru the barrel and call it a day. Other times Ill strip the bolt down, soak it good and then clean it good and then clean the upper and chamber really well, clean the lower and regrease the springs, etc.
Thanks for the advise. I too am new to AR's and was told to clean it after like every 25 rounds. Well I wasn't going to do that, but I do a thorough cleaning after range visit. So if I am shooting Black Hills ammo I don't have to clean it every time? |
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AFter 25 rounds? not likely unless you a shooting a high competition stainless steel barrel and each shot needs to be the same for competitions.
Some things come into play as far as how dirty an AR will get 1) ammo being the first. Some is dirtier than others, BH will be fine. 2) What kind of lube/grease you use. Some actually make a rifle dirtier, but still function. 3) If you are in sandy areas outside or in a dirty atmosphere like some outdoor ranges. 4) Barrel length and gas tube length (carbine, mid and rifle length). I know ppl that dont clean them ever, unless there is a malfunction. And then there are diff types of malfunctions, usually on my ARs its failure to eject or the bolt wont cycle as smooth when its really dirty. Like I said, each person has their own habits. I know there are times when ive returned from the range and had alot of time on my hands, this was a perfect time to throw in a good DVD and go to town cleaning and then there are times when I came home. made sure the rifles were secure and put em away. Id say if you have the time, give it a quick cleaning and look over. Everyone has their own approach to cleaning and what supplies to use. I just use brake cleaner on steel / metal parts only such as bolt carrier. I use BreakFree CLP to lube it up and then Ill use SLick 50 bearing grease (light coating) on the trigger and hammer springs and on the outside of the bolt and the inside of the upper. I just use tore up cotton Tshirt and CLP to clean the barrel. I clean it til it comes out light gray. I never try to get it spotless. Spent too much time in the USMC trying to get that M16 that clean, not necessary now and days, esp. with chrome lined barrels. |
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Welcome to ARFCOM.
As previously mentioned, everyone has their own cleaning techniques, standards of cleanliness, and personal choice of equipment to help reach those standards. Personally, I clean my weapons after every range session regardless of number of rounds fired. There is a certain level of personal responsibility to owning a firearm. Along with that responsibility goes the responsibility to properly clean and maintain it. You take care of that weapon, and if you ever need it to defend your life or the life of a loved one, it’ll be there for you. Neglect it, and you may regret it. |
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Do I need to clean the rifle prior to it's first firing?
Yes. This the time to become familiar with the rifle and its operation. Is there anything in particular that I need to be aware of?
Inspect all parts and assemblies. Clean and lubricate items per the Owners manual. Assemble the rifle and perform operations checks to verify everything is functioning as it should. I did purchase an Otis Elite cleaning kit / system which supposedly handles all calibers / bores. Was this a wise choice? (just arrived today)
Many people have purchased Otis kits and are satisfied with them. Personally, I prefer to use the commercial equivalent of the U.S.G.I. cleaning rods & brushes made by Kleen-Bore. http://www.kleen-bore.com I'm not sure how the Otis kit will enable a person to use a chamber brush. But I do know how to clean the rifles' chamber with a military type cleaning kit of rod sections and brushes. I prefer BreakFree-CLP. Owners manuals and training manuals are available via this link...http://www.ar15.com/content/index.html#manuals |
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The other posts are right, also clean EVERY new firearm before firing. The mfg. may have coated the bore and other parts in thick oil/cosmolene to prevent corrosion until the weapon is sold.
If you ever buy a refurb military surplus rifle (Mosin comes to mind..) it will usually be slathered in cosmo and it will be obvious it needs a cleaning before firing. |
| The first few times you clean your rifle it will seem like it takes forever. It shouldn't. The rifle doesn't have to be spotless. Use a CLP . Breakfree is praboly one of the best or at least what ever other CLP is judged against. It's some good stuff for what it's intended for. Use a USGI style cleaning toothbrush on your Bolt and Bolt carrier. But only after you let the CLP sit up for a few minuets. 10 Minuets is a good standard set time . But Ive also been in a rush and just knocked it out . Quibs got methods that are close to the military standards but tweaked them for even better results. I can clean my AR in 5 minuets to be COMBAT READY. It will preform as well as a guy who took 45 Minuets to clean. But I normally take 30 minuets to do it listening to the radio and chillin. Therapeutic for me any how. I also pull my buffer spring only every 500 rnds or so unless Im caught in the rain . Breakfree CLP is your friend. But there are different products by Breakfree. The aresol can 4oz ( I believe ) Wally world is what I clean and normally wipe my rifle off with. It's thin and get into cracks and such. I lube with either BF CLP in the squeeze bottle or the BF LP product. The BF CLP in the squeeze bottle is thicker than the aresol CLP. It stays put better. I think the BF LP stays put even better then the latter. Great thing about useing the CLP is it still is breaking carbon down even while it sits in your safe. One of the reasons I'm not a 100 % spotless cleaner anymore with a rifle a shoot a lot. A rifle I pull out once a year and shoot then put it away for another year will get cleaned really well though. Be careful to not put a patch that's over sized on your OTIS pull through. I use OTIS also. And have done just that. I cut my own patches and learned to cut them certain sizes. Come back here if you have any questions. Also don't mess with your Lower trigger group other than cleaning and lubing . No need to take it out of the lower and don't do nothing to the EJECTOR other than press it in and lube it. There have been some new guy that totally strip there rifles when there is no need to. Go by the USGI instructions on soldier level break down cleaning and it's all you need. Come back and talk to us for anything else. Cheers WarDawg |
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Well I got my Otis kit and I watched the video and I have realized while it looks good for cleaning ....there is no lube!!! Any thoughts on that? And thank you all for the great responses  Here are some BreakFree products, including C.L.P., available at Natchez Shooter's Supply. http://www.natchezss.com/category.cfm?category=8&brand=BF&catLevel=1 Brownells is offering a military style cleaning kit marketed by DPMS which fits inside the storage compartment of the buttstock. At a price of $13.50, I can understand why it is "out of stock" while I'm typing this post. AR-15 A-2 CLEANING KIT During a google.com search, I found they have a similar kit which is "in stock" also out of stock and costs a few dollars more. http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=22275&title=AR-15/M16%20BUTTSTOCK%20CLEANING%20KIT Here's a link to Kleen-Bore's AR-15 Field Kit. For a lower M.S.R.P. than the Otis Kit, it also includes a small bottle of Formula-3 Gun Conditioner (Kleen-Bore's version of CLP) and a silicone wiping cloth. Versions of it are available (for less money) from Amazon.com and others. http://secure.armorholdings.com/kleen-bore/product389.html |
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