Cleaning the gas system

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Cleaning the gas system

Posted: 4/20/2001 2:36:09 PM EDT

Hi all,

there was a discussion at the local range about cleaning of the ar15s gas system. Some say that it doesnt need to be done others do. i checked my ar book and it didnt go into cleaning of the gas system at all. my question is: if and when do you need to clean the gas system?

thanks

Posted: 4/20/2001 2:43:31 PM EDT

[#1]

It's pretty much self cleaning (high pressure)Unless you're using a rimfire conversion a great deal where lead deposits could become a problem.

Posted: 4/20/2001 2:50:58 PM EDT

[#2]

It isn't really necessary however; it would not hurt to run a gas tube 'mop' down it every once and a while. Numerous places sell them, I know Tapco has them. I have never used them but they look similar to a pipe cleaner.

Posted: 4/20/2001 8:56:09 PM EDT

[#3]

When you wear out the barrel and replace it. Unless you're shooting really shitty ammo, in which case, who knows?

Posted: 4/20/2001 9:03:03 PM EDT

[#4]

I have no experience with this, as I just spray a little brake cleaner into it from the breech end when I'm cleaning the bore. Someone claiming to be a gunsmith posted an answer to this under the "maintenance" section saying the only cleaning he does is to remove the pipe cleaner things others have tried to use to clean it. In other words it cleans itself.

Posted: 4/20/2001 9:18:42 PM EDT

[#5]

The last time I cleaned a gas system (on an M16/AR) was 1985.
Lew

Posted: 4/20/2001 11:31:59 PM EDT

[#6]

Prune Juice will Set You Free!!!!

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Posted: 4/21/2001 6:21:33 AM EDT

[#7]

In the Manual it says to keep the weapon in an upright position while cleaning the bore, that way crud and solvents dont get into the tube or plug the vent hole in the barrel.
I have never cleaned mine.

Posted: 4/21/2001 6:25:37 AM EDT

[#8]

I don't know what i pipe cleaner will do that 50,000 psi gas pressure won't............

Posted: 4/21/2001 6:43:20 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
I don't know what i pipe cleaner will do that 50,000 psi gas pressure won't............

View Quote

Exactly

Posted: 4/21/2001 6:47:57 AM EDT

[#10]

Yes it is self cleaning. As previously stated if your shooting a 22 rimfire conversion rig lead can build up in the gas tube. After every couple of hundred rounds or so convert back to .223 and fire a couple rounds down range and this will clean out the gas system. Running pipe cleaners down it every once in awhile won't hurt anything.

Posted: 4/21/2001 6:55:02 AM EDT

[#11]

Let me say this CLEAN YOUR GAS TUBE!!

I just got my armalite back from a smith. After 3500 rnds the gas tube was extreamly restricted causing overpressure problems. Everything i read said it does not need cleaning. It does.

mike

Posted: 4/21/2001 7:27:40 AM EDT

[#12]

After only 3500 rds, Slayer? That seems like either you have a bad case of ammunition, or something it just generally WRONG with the gas line. I'm no expert on this, but some people will open up their port on the tube a little bit, about 1/100 of an inch larger than standard. See if you can send the assembly back to them (or in the hands of professionals) to open up that gas port a little bit, that will probably clear up.

Jew~

Posted: 4/21/2001 11:09:46 AM EDT

[#13]

I would think potting a pipe cleaner down the gas tube would eventually cause a pile-up of debris at the end of the tube that could potentially block the gas port.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Cleaning the gas system

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