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Posted: 2/14/2009 11:28:01 PM EDT
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So I've been using an Otis universal kit and instructions as my pretty much one-stop shop for cleaning my 5 guns since getting them a year and a half ago. I use CLP for larger and general cleaning, but for barrel/chamber/bore work, I go Otis all the way.
But, there has always been a serious issue, I believe, and one that I may have solved today (with some help). Wanted to get your opinion- It has generally taken me about an hour or more to clean each of my guns, mostly because I follow the Otis instructions to a tee- Wet patch, bore brush, dry patch, repeat. It would take me forever because the wet patch would always come out dirty. I was literally cleaning my M1A today for 90 minutes because the patches kept coming out dirty. This was only after about 80-100 rounds mind you, and good quality SMK 168gr (I also always clean after every shooting). My brother pointed out the obvious to me- it's the brush- maybe it's the brush just redepositing filth each time. I was skeptical at first but then thought huh, this could make a lot of sense. So I tried just brushing once or twice early on and then just alternating dry and wet patches, and sure enough, clean in about 15 minutes. It makes sense in retrospect since the only "used" item in the Otis routine is the brush, and I took a look at it closely- while not at all dirty, the ends of the bristles are definitely darker than the inner parts. So, have I been cleaning like a moron here? Do you think it's just the brush re-depositing filth with each pass? Otherwise, I can't explain where all the garbage keeps coming from for 40 straight patches. Thoughts? Also, I may be filling in here with circumstantial evidence, but I think it's been taking me longer and longer to get the guns clean this way- i.e. the brush perhaps has been getting dirtier and dirtier and thus exacerbating the problem. Thoughts all? |
| I noticed that same thing while I was cleaning before too. If I cleaned it until the patches were almost clean and then used the Bore Brush one last time, then put a patch through again it would come out filthy. I came to the same conclusion that you did. So I try not to repeatedly use the Bore Brush and I use a cloth to blot off the excess fouling from the Brush before I reuse it. |
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Try occasionally spraying out your brush with brake cleaner. Hmm, I'd rather not add yet another solvent to the mix- would a soak in CLP or the Otis solution suffice? The brake cleaner evaporates in seconds. Your not adding anything “to the mix”. |
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No, I meant more that I'd need yet another liquid to carry with me- I clean at the range (no room at home) and hence am trying to keep my ingredients to a minimum ;) Understood. 
I still think BC is the best bet. You’d be surprised at the amount of crud that gets flushed out. Plus, washing your bore brush out after use prolongs the life of it. Residual bore solvents can attack the bristles during storage, weakening them. |
| QUIB, thanks. Out of curiosity, how did you become the resident expert on cleaning? I'm just curious what drove you to learn *so* much about this stuff. Seems like a pretty neglected/minor part of most people's shooting experience- so how did you choose to focus on it and become so knowledgeable? |
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QUIB, thanks. Out of curiosity, how did you become the resident expert on cleaning? I'm just curious what drove you to learn *so* much about this stuff. Seems like a pretty neglected/minor part of most people's shooting experience- so how did you choose to focus on it and become so knowledgeable? I’m far from an expert. I was taught at an early age, that if you take care of what you have, it will take care of you. Neglect your gear, and it will surely fail you when you need it most. Especially weapons. That way of thinking was reinforced when I joined the military. And I learned first hand that it held true. I gained a passion for weapons maintenance and I enjoy passing along what I’ve learned or gathered over the years. |
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QUIB, thanks. Out of curiosity, how did you become the resident expert on cleaning? I'm just curious what drove you to learn *so* much about this stuff. Seems like a pretty neglected/minor part of most people's shooting experience- so how did you choose to focus on it and become so knowledgeable? I’m far from an expert. I was taught at an early age, that if you take care of what you have, it will take care of you. Neglect your gear, and it will surely fail you when you need it most. Especially weapons. That way of thinking was reinforced when I joined the military. And I learned first hand that it held true. I gained a passion for weapons maintenance and I enjoy passing along what I’ve learned or gathered over the years. Awesome. Thanks and keep doing a great job!! [EDIT] - now that I have your ear for a minute, I'm curious about something else- what does the great QUIB think about gas piston ARs? :) An improvement long overdue or a bunch of hot air? |
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[EDIT] - now that I have your ear for a minute, I'm curious about something else- what does the great QUIB think about gas piston ARs? :) An improvement long overdue or a bunch of hot air? I don’t have a professional opinion, only a personal one. And that is; I have no desire to own a piston AR. I also have no problem with the direct impingement gas system. It’s been working now for how many years? |
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Got it. From what you're saying, it sounds to me like you own other piston-based rifles. What's your overall collection look like? I’ve owned AK’s, 47 and 74. But eventually sold them to fund other AR’s. As far as my entire collection goes, I don’t give out that type of info over the internet. I’ll post occasional photos of individual weapons, but that’s about it. |
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