Posted: 4/28/2008 1:52:50 PM EDT
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I was at a highpower match Sunday and some of the top competitors dumped lube on their AR's bolts like they were putting mustard on a hot dog at the 600 yard line. I hadn't seen anything like that since Ft Dix in 1973. I lube my AR liberally, but definitely not excessively and will fire two 88 shot matches back to back without cleaning/lubeing. Don't get me wrong. I don't leave it dirty for a month, but if there are matches on consecutive days, my AR is generally up for both. To be clear, I lube my carrier and bolt body all over with a light coat of Breakfree CLP via shaving brush. I put a heavy coat of CLP on my cam pin, cam pin track, carrier bolt bore, and guide ring/gas rings with a Q-tip. What are everyone else's opions/procedures? |
I clean every part after each match or practice in my AR's. Includes the removal of carbon build up inside the bolt carrier and on the rear of the bolt . All nooks and "cranies" with the issue universal (tooth brush), pipe cleaners and cotton rags/patches. Also a Dewey locking lug/barrel extension cleaning tool with those white cotton swabs that the dentist pack in your mouth . It takes me an extra 15 to 20 minutes but I have my barrel soaking with Hoppe's #9 anyway, so it's no big deal for me. After cleaning of each part I re-lube as follows: Cam pin, bolt carrier (bearing surfaces/4-spines that contact the upper receiver) and the locking lugs of the bolt, I use 90 weight gear lube dispensed in small drops out of a tiny orifice of a plastic oiler. Inside the carrier and on the surface of the bolt that contacts the inside of the carrier and the extractor pin, I use Break Free LP. Not CLP! On the bolt gas rings and the flared area behind them, I use Shooters Choice FP-10. At the end of the season, I'll remove the ejector for a good cleaning and re-assemble it with a touch of Hoppe's gun oil. Inside the butt stock, after the season I like to clean up that area and grease the buffer spring (not the buffer itself) with white lithium grease. A drop of oil on the bolt release now and then. Also at the end of the season, I remove my trigger (RRA's  ). Clean all the parts thoroughly. I lube the pins and the disconnector with KG-5 Micro trigger lube. On the hammer hooks and across the top I use Gun Butter gun grease. Costs a bit more but in my honest opinion, a smooth running trigger is worth more points  .Be sure to keep all the drain holes open. You got one in the bolt at the rear of the ejector spring and in the upper butt stock screw .I work on a lot of AR's. They usually come in dry and carbon caked. Somehow, they still seem to function. BUT! The owners of them don't seem to mind buying new bolts etc. with every barrel change  .However, I am very confident saying that everyone who follows my procedures above, will never be on the re-fire line for a firearm malfunction nor will you be replacing any parts from wear. For cleaning the bore of my smooth non-fouling Wilson's, I like good old Hoppes #9 and the all bronze brushes with brass cores. For eating carbon, I use General Motors Top Engine Cleaner . One place I seem to find very dirty on most AR's, because it gets over looked is inside the upper receiver. The cam pin recess. Wipe it out each time you clean your rifle. Also inside the charging handle. Dave McGrath |
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Nope Dave, sorry but one of the joys of retiring from the Army lets me clean my AR to my standards. I don't care if I have a little carbon on the lug recesses. I clean it and the chamber with an AR-15 chamber brush, followed with a USGI 30 cal patch soaked with Hoppe's #9 on a 38/357 pointed jag, followed by 2 dry 30 cal patches on the same rig. I then put one of those patches in the breach end one time with my pinky and that is that. It is clean, but I guarantee that your finger will get black on it if you insert it. I agree the cam pin recess in the receiver needs attention and clean the upper with patches and Hoppe's only and trifold one to clean under the gas tube. I am as anal about the bolt and carrier as you are. I am a simple person and use Hoppe's to clean and Breakfree CLP to lube. But do you see a need or benefit to lubing the bcg at the 600 yard line? Perhaps it was because the uppers were brand new? |
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Mike! I wasn't knocking your methods. Only telling those interested in "lubricating their AR's" as to my practices. Look, I am a clean freak and I maintain everything I own. Be it my cars, rifles and even the machinery I operate at work! BTW, I plan on retiring on 30 May after 38 years, 9 months and 7 days. My plans are to continue promoting the sport of high power and gunsmithing after all my "honey dos" are taken care off! Now as to the original post. I am particular with everything. Things never came easy and I learned early on to make the most of everything. For example, I still mow my lawn with a Lawn Boy I bought in 1971. Believe me, this mower has cut a lot of grass and firing lines a three clubs! Sorry if you took my informative post the wrong way .Dave McGrath |
| Nope you took my the wrong way. I didn't take your post as anything but an answer to my questions. I used to scrub the heck out of my AR's and soak the bolts and carriers for a few days, but one day said " Hey I ain't in no more, clean is good but I don't have to pass inspection." But do you relube during a match? I don't see the need if the gun was properly serviced and shooting fine. |
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Anybody use carb. cleaner or brake cleaner to clean the insides of their AR with? I even squirt it down the gas tube and the barrel. Once it dries I still clean the barrel with some patches and powder solvent (just to see what might be left). Once it dries good I spray rem-oil on it to lube it up. So far rem-oil or 3n1 oil is all I've used, but I haven't shot 200 rounds in a day through it either. |
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No Mike, I never re-lubed during a match. The way I lube, it is not needed. I could probably go a whole season but what's the point. If I was ever on a re-fire line it was because of a pit alibi. Even in the pouring rain. Another point. I have often sat back, especially at Perry, looking at how the "?????" always seem to hold up those who got their crap together. These folk just add to the hours it takes to conduct a match  Of course, the rules provide for them  .Dave McGrath |