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Posted: 8/11/2008 4:27:12 PM EDT
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I cleaned my M1A for the first time. I had ordered three chamber brushes for the M1A from MidWayUSA. I inserted it, rotated it around to clean it, and attempted to pull it out when the rear portion of that holds the cleaning rod pulled off. Now I've read about people selling the wrong chamber brushes, for the M1 or the M60. So I'm not sure if that is my problem or if I'm doing something wrong. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.  ETA: I did get it out by pulling it turning and pulling with a pair of needle nose on the end, I just want to avoid having it happen again. |
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Thanks guys. I did have the chamber brush soaked up with CLP like I do on my AR-15. Sorry, I forgot to mention that I did get it out, I was able to grab the end with a pair of needle nose and work it out by turning and pulling. I just don't want to have to do it again. Thanks for the help. |
I have the same issue with USGI chamber brushes. |
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Use the semi-closed bolt to hold the brush in place while turning it. When removing the brush, pull backwards near the junction of cleaning rod/brush while turning the brush. Everything wet, of course. If Midway sent you a defective brush, they will make good on it. If the brush gets stuck in the chamber, you now have an example of the usefulness of the rigid cleaning rod in the GI buttstock cleaning kit. Not that I would use an uncoated steel rod for other than emergency purposes, and I would use a wood or brass dowel to drive the brush out if I did not need the rifle RIGHT AWAY. It is true that the brushes for the M1 and M-14 are of different length. The M1 brush is a good 1/4" longer than the M-14 brush. Compare your brush to a fired case. If your brush's major diameter exceeds the length between the base and shoulder of your ctg by a significant amount, then maybe it is an M1 brush. A ChamberMaid brush avoids all this, and is also useable on scoped M1As. |
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There's an M14 and an M60 chamber brush. The M14 one is a little shorter overall and has four tapped holes in the nylon section that the rod threads into to work the ratchet. IME the holes on the M14 one are good for one use each before they strip out. It's difficult to get out of the chamber. The M60 brush is a tad bit longer and has a single through-hole for the rod. I like it better because you can grip the rod above and below the receiver, although it just barely fits into the action. Bill Ricca's website has a picture that shows the difference. |
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Thanks for the tips and info guys. It does have 4 holes around the perimeter. I will compare its length to a fired case. The design doesn't seem robust enough from what I can tell. The ratcheting portion with the threaded holes appears to connect to the plastic portion of the brush using nothing but a metallic pin press fit into the later piece. That doesn't seem like it would facilitate removal. Thanks for the tips though everyone, I'll take a closer look at it. |
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