Do you guys use anything special to clean the inside of the bolt carrier?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Do you guys use anything special to clean the inside of the bolt carrier?

Posted: 12/5/2010 6:59:36 AM EDT

Guys,

Normally, cleaning the inside of the bolt carrier is no big deal. I've been attending several classes lately and running tons of Wolf through this one rifle........and I've had a Hell of a time cleaning out the inside of the bolt carrier. You know, where the back end of the bolt sits when it's in the carrier.

Eventually I get it clean, but it takes way to long doing it with cotton swabs.

Thoughts? (Besides "No more Wolf!")

Posted: 12/5/2010 7:12:33 AM EDT

[#1]

I soak in Quib's solution then use a carbon scraper for the back of the carrier.

Seem to get the job done pretty well.

Quib's is Odorless mineral spirits and some CLP. Let it soak submerged for an hour or so and it'll come clean pretty well.

Posted: 12/5/2010 9:22:47 AM EDT

[#2]

I soak my bolt and carrier in a tub of motor oil for a couple of hours. After the couple of hours I stand the carrier on end in another tub to drain. A quick detail striping and wipedown usually gets rid of most of the crap.

Posted: 12/5/2010 9:26:05 AM EDT

[#3]

Just a brush and some CLP.

Posted: 12/5/2010 10:13:10 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I soak in Quib's solution then use a carbon scraper for the back of the carrier.

Seem to get the job done pretty well.

Quib's is Odorless mineral spirits and some CLP. Let it soak submerged for an hour or so and it'll come clean pretty well.

I've seen those carbon scrapers.....but I always thought that they would damage the BC. I will look into getting one.

Posted: 12/5/2010 10:13:56 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Just a brush and some CLP.

What sort of brush do you have that fits in there? My brass and nylon brushes are too big.

Posted: 12/5/2010 10:17:51 AM EDT

[#6]

Regular USGI brush. Large end for the bolt side, small end for the other. After loosening it up I run a paper towel through it and call it good.

Posted: 12/5/2010 4:52:17 PM EDT

[#7]

I bought a tool from Brownells.....looks kind of like a screwdriver

Posted: 12/5/2010 6:22:17 PM EDT

[#8]

a 20gauge bronze brush and Hoppes #9 with a pistol cleaning rod (the one with the handle)

Rinse out with non-clorinated brake cleaner and re-lube

Posted: 12/6/2010 6:41:53 AM EDT

[#9]

Hoppes #9 & a rag.
If it's really bad I may take a standard GI brush to it & then wipe it down with the rag.

Posted: 12/6/2010 2:46:47 PM EDT

[#10]

Soak the BCG overnight in Berryman's Chem-Dip Carbuerator Parts Cleaner #996 - Autozone carry's the one gallon can with parts basket. 0996 is a single-phase, aqueous product containing water-soluble solvents, corrosion inhibitors, and other additives.

It will wipe clean inside and out the next day - no scrubbing. The hard carbon will turn to the consistency of heavy grease and wipe right out of there.

This goes for the bolt tail and the inside of the carrier bore where the bolt rides. I have used this method for the last couple of years with excellent results - no issues with extractor inserts either.

Posted: 12/20/2010 6:27:07 PM EDT

[#11]

Wow... 8 different ways to clean a BCG... and I'm sure there are a dozen more who have not posted yet....

Posted: 12/21/2010 9:58:19 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
I bought a tool from Brownells.....looks kind of like a screwdriver

Yes it does look like a screwdriver, in fact that's what I use, a screwdriver. Works fine.

Posted: 12/21/2010 10:04:06 AM EDT

[#13]

Put more lube on it and call it good.

Posted: 12/22/2010 6:08:29 AM EDT

[#14]

Auto parts store should have 5 and 1 gallon carb tanks (cold tank) About 30 minutes and it shines with out touching it.

Posted: 12/22/2010 12:56:40 PM EDT

[#15]

I've been using a .44mag case with a solvent soaked patch wrapped around it to wipe the inside of the carrier, but the case doesn't quite reach the back of the recess. Maybe if I could find a .445 mag case it would reach. Carb cleaner works pretty well too.

Posted: 12/24/2010 9:15:15 AM EDT

[#16]

in the service,
used the firing pin, cleaning rod section, non-working end of USGI brush,.....

then I evolved and started using a non-sparking brass screwdriver,
soaking methods, carbon cutter, yada, yada.

currently,
if tough, scrape as usual,
but normally I use a shaped bamboo chopstick (very tough and flexible)
(eta) the chopstick seems to conform to the small circular grooves inside of the carrier
then stick a soaked pistol cleaning patch with NC brake cleaner to mop up. 5-10 mins.
finish off w/ Quibs

Posted: 2/2/2011 4:45:29 PM EDT

[#17]

Soak thoroughly with a carbon killer and then do it again. (PB, Liquid Wrench, Slip 2000)

I use a 9mm brush at the aft end and wet patches.

For the fore end,
Take a 10 round .223 stripper clip and place it in the center of a .30 cal patch soaked in carbon remover.
Bring the patch up the stripper clip and wrap the ends, should fit snugly in the BCG.
Twist and clean the gorp out.....

Repeat till clean.

Posted: 2/4/2011 7:23:11 AM EDT

[#18]

I scrape it like a maniac with a dental tool after soaking it overnight (at a minimum) If you can damage hard chrome with a pick device, you're out of control.

Does it all have to come out of there? NO! But I find it repulsive to leave it in there.

Posted: 2/4/2011 2:04:17 PM EDT

[#19]

I use break free, sometimes Hoppes, and a bambo skewer with cleaning patches...
Skewers are great all around nook and crany cleaners. Cheap too.

Posted: 2/4/2011 2:31:23 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Put more lube on it and call it good.

Pretty much this ... ^

Also, maybe soak it for a bit in some Hoppes #9 solvent first ... and then brush it / wipe it down as 0612Devil indicated.

Posted: 3/10/2011 12:35:19 AM EDT

[#21]

I use a cheap nylon blackpowder breech brush from walmart. It fits the bolt carrier perfectly and is pretty effective for scrubbing out the carbon.

Posted: 3/12/2011 9:45:12 PM EDT

[#22]

Brownells/sinclair bolt carrier scraper. Doesnt remove it all. But you don't need to remove it all. But when is really bad its the fastest thing I ever tried. Works much better than the GI trick of using a stripper clip.

Posted: 3/13/2011 11:18:27 AM EDT

[#23]

This:

$20 from Brownell's or $10 from Botach.

Posted: 3/16/2011 9:58:38 AM EDT

[#24]

It really doesn't matter if that area isn't clean. Since no corrosive 5.56/.223 Rem ammo is available, you won't have a problem with corrosion. But if you have a 5.45 upper and shoot corrosive ammo, cleaning might be a good idea. Pro Shot Copper Solvent IV will quickly remove all fouling along with the corrosive salts without the need for scraping. And since it rinses with water, it is fast. Use hot water and compressed air to dry.

Posted: 3/16/2011 11:56:28 AM EDT

[#25]

I would start with not using wolfe anymore lol. Seriously tho, check out Gunzilla. Its a 3 in 1 deal -lube protector and cleaner. Doesn't smell and you can use it on knives or whatever metal you want cleaned and lubed. Also environmentally safe

Posted: 3/16/2011 12:03:04 PM EDT

[#26]

You do not need to be too anal retentive on this area.

having said that I use a nylon .45 cal brush and rod that came with a Glock 21. I wrap a patch around that and do the inside of the carrier.
Brownells also had the scraper tool for the inside back of the carrier on sale, so I have that also. It's really not needed though.

Posted: 3/19/2011 6:14:08 PM EDT

[#27]

I solved that problem by buying a S&W M&P PSX Piston gun..........costs a little more than a scraper or screw driver but what the heck, my carrier stays clean as a whistle.... Sorry guys I had to say that. I really do love that piston gun.

Posted: 4/29/2011 5:11:27 PM EDT

[#28]

Brownells bolt carrier carbon scraper.

Posted: 4/29/2011 5:30:26 PM EDT

[#29]

+1 for using Quibs solution. I have used it on my carrier and bolt and also on a lot of other gun parts with really good results. That was a good info thread he had...

Posted: 4/29/2011 5:53:51 PM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
Put more lube on it and call it good.

DIng Ding Ding We have a winner.

Posted: 4/30/2011 9:34:46 AM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I soak in Quib's solution then use a carbon scraper for the back of the carrier.

Seem to get the job done pretty well.

Quib's is Odorless mineral spirits and some CLP. Let it soak submerged for an hour or so and it'll come clean pretty well.

I've seen those carbon scrapers.....but I always thought that they would damage the BC. I will look into getting one.

The inside of the BC is hard chrome and the BC itself is tool steel, so damage is highly unlikely. Most of the handle type scrapers I've seen never actually bottom out anyway.

It is really quick and easy to clean with one - a few twists then briefly flush or wipe the residual loose stuff.

Nelson Tactical