I'm starting to get some serious carbon build-up in my bolt carrier.  (You know the spot.  Right where the back of the bolt fits against the carrier.  The spot all military armorers love to harass you about.)  What do you folks use to break up the carbon?  We used to use a dental pick in the Army, but I don't like scratching up the lining of the carrier if there's a better way.  I've only used CLP to date.  Any recommendations appreciated.

Nothing.


Carriers are machined with extra space back there.  If it builds up too much, it breaks off


PER Armalite.


I sold my bolt scraper tens of thousands of rounds ago - and gave up scraping carbon.   Guns run 100% still.

First thing I do when I start cleaning is disassemble my bolt and carrier. I use a 50/50 mix of turpentine and Hoppes #9 and soak the bolt and carrier while I clean the upper and lower. This mixture seems to break up the carbon pretty good. To scrape away large deposits after they’ve  softened up I use an old piece of aluminum cleaning rod that I flattened out and filed to the contour of the bolt carrier. A few twists and I’m done, followed by a q-tip.

For the bolt I use the mouth of a 5.56mm case. The 50/50 Hoppes mixture can be reused, I pour mine into an old salsa jar. Over time the large particles settle to the bottom of the jar, leaving fresh cleaner for the next cleaning session.

I’m still “AA”, “Armsroom Anal”!

Tip on the Hoppes #9: Buy the large 16oz bottle for about $7 to $8, beats $4+ for the small 4oz bottle!

Soak the part in Carb Cutter 2000.  Works miracles.

www.slip2000.com

No better cleaner exists!

I have only used the green carbon cutter. It looks like the piston/choke cleaner might be stronger and worth buying over the carbon cutter.

Buy 1 gallon or more and soak your parts in tupperware. Then pour back the solution and re-use. You can choose to filter out solids at a later time.

Interesting - all the cleaning methods for something that is UNNECESSARY

KClapp,

Some folks use these.

www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=CPACT&item=14-5175&type=store

Regards,

Rick

Necessary or not.

"I will keep it clean, even as I keep myself clean".

Filth in the rifle is accepted by some, and not amoung others.

The Brownells and Sinclair tool works safely.

If you fuss over such matters, and let others worry over the psychology of the matter, I would suggest investing.

It dosn't hurt anything, and removes yet another worry.

Trust in the Rifle and respect for it , as it relates to ones being, is a uniquely American thing.

Funny how we are the last Super Power remaining these days.

It ain't the rifle, and it ain't the human operating it.

It's both combined.

S-28