AR-15 Cleaning: A Quick Guide
AR-15 Cleaning: A Quick Guide: Although it is the most widely use rifle in America, cleaning an AR-15 is not typically on peoples’ lists of enjoyable activities to do. A large portion of this is due to inadequate expertise or equipment for thoroughly cleaning the gun. While most civilian shooters may not have learned cleaning as a ritual, many shooters in the military may have. After a shooting session, you can clean your AR-15 with the assistance of the following guide.
AR-15 Cleaning Tools
The proper tools to clean an AR-15 rifle, or pistol for that matter, are as follows:
• Cleaning rod or pull through cable or bore snake: this will guide the cleaning brush down the bore. It is recommend to use a one-piece cleaning rod as the segmented rods may damage the rifling. Two portions of a segmented cleaning rod can come in handy, however.
• Bore brush: A metal tip for the cleaning rod or cable that has metal bristles for scrubbing the bore.
• Chamber brush: Slightly thicker than a bore brush with a thicker base, a chamber brush is use for cleaning the rifle’s chamber.
• Chamber Mop: Similar to a chamber brush but made of cotton to help clean the chamber.
• All-purpose brush: A nylon bristled brush like an old tooth brush that is used for scrubbing external surfaces.
• Eyelet: The eyelet attaches to the tip of the cleaning rod or cable in order to facilitate cleaning and lubricating the bore.
• Cleaning patches: Cleaning patches fit into the eyelet for cleaning and lubrication.
• Scraper tool: This is a hardened piece of steel used to remove unusually large deposits of carbon from the bolt carrier.
• Q-Tips: For a fine level of cleaning on small parts.
• Pipe cleaners: These can be used to get into smaller areas where a Q-Tip will not fit.
• Cleaning rags: These are mostly used for external surfaces.
• Cleaning solvent
• Lubricating oil
Parts washers, ultrasonic cleaners, air compressors, and even the laundry room sink—if it’s exceptionally filthy following a hunting expedition—can be consider optional cleaning equipment. You can use hot, soapy water to effectively clean your weapon. However, this isn’t normally for a normal shooting session—rather, it’s for heavy field detritus. This is the reason why it is not unusual for troops and Marines to bring their weapons into the shower with them following an especially strenuous field practice. Just be sure to fully dry it and lubricate it appropriately.
Disassemble the AR-15
Take out the ammunition and magazine before you begin. After making sure the chamber is empty, pull the bolt to the back. This will ensure that the cleaning process is entirely safe. Let the bolt go home after confirming that the firearm is empty and devoid of ammunition. The upper and lower receivers should be separate by pushing out the two receiver pins. After that, extract the bolt carrier group and charging handle by pulling them back. Cleaning from the chamber to the muzzle is always advised rather than cleaning from the muzzle to the rear. By doing this, any damage to the barrel’s crown will be prevented.
Make use of the chamber brush first. Even though a one-piece cleaning rod is what we advise, in this instance a segmented cleaning rod will work well. To aid in dissolving the carbon in the chamber, lightly coat the brush with a high-quality cleaning, such as Break Free. To remove any extra carbon from the chamber after it has been loose, take off the chamber brush and replace it with the chamber mop. Attach the bore brush after removing the chamber mop from the cleaning rod. To remove carbon or even copper fouling, the bore brush is push through the bore multiple times. A thin layer of solvent or Break Free should also be apply.
Then take out the bore brush and use a cleaning patch that has been lightly smeared with Break Free to attach the eyelet. After pushing it through once, pull it back. Repeat after applying a fresh, dry patch. With each pass, keep swapping out the patch until the patch is clean and dry.
Whether it is a compensator, flash suppressor, or muzzle brake, the muzzle device may require maintenance, especially if it serves as a quick-detach mount for a sound suppressor. To lightly scrub it, use the bore brush or an all-purpose brush. Pipe cleaners or Q-Tips can be use to clean holes and flutes.
At this point, you can focus on the bolt carrier group. Some just place these components in an ultrasonic cleaner, but for a more thorough cleaning, you need remove the firing pin holding pin so that the firing pin can fall out through the back. Next, take the bolt out of the carrier and push the extractor pin out by the bolt head using the firing pin’s point.
Scrub every outside surface first with an all-purpose brush that has been lightly spray with Break Free. In general, you shouldn’t take your bottom receiver apart. You can clean the outside, the magazine well, and the trigger group visually with an all-purpose brush. To get any carbon in here, you can use an air compressor and aerosol cleansers.
Remove the action spring and buffer by applying pressure to the buffer detent. The best way to accomplish this is to press down on the hammer while bringing the buffer’s head forward and over the hammer. Next, the spring is extract. An all-purpose brush and a cloth are usually sufficient for cleaning these sections.
How to Lubricate AR-15 Components
There are several reasons why lubrication is crucial. It shields the gun against rust and corrosion, to start with. Second, it’s critical to ensure dependable and safe operation for when you shoot it again. Always use less lube or oil because too much of either might draw dirt and dust.
To lubricate a patch, lightly coat it with your preferred lubricant and run it down the bore. After lightly soaking a towel in oil, clean the bolt carrier group’s components.
To make sure the buffer and action spring are coat as well, use the same lightly coat rag on them. Consider putting a little oil on the hammer and searing. Finally, use the rag that has been lightly treate to clean all of the exterior parts.
Reassemble AR-15 Components
You can reassemble the weapon in the opposite order that it was disassemble once all of the parts have been lightly oil. Reinstalling the action spring and buffer into the butt stock should come first. First, insert the spring, then the buffer. To make sure the buffer head clears the buffer detent, you might need to slightly apply pressure with the hammer. Next, only at the front takedown pin should the upper receiver be reattache to the lower receiver. Next, confirm that the bolt carrier group has been accurately and fully assembled. Next, slide the charging handle and bolt carrier group into the top receiver. To engage the rear takedown pin, swing the upper receiver downward after pushing the bolt carrier group fully forward.
After everything is put together, you should examine the AR-15’s functionality. This is typically carry out in the armed forces and involves taking additional precautions to guarantee that the fire control group’s full auto or burst nature is operating as intend. Every time you disassemble and reassemble the weapon, you should do a function check. This is to make sure you disassembled and reassembled the rifle without disturbing the balance and that it is in good working order.
To retract the bolt, place the rifle in safe mode and pull the charging handle to the back. Squeezing the trigger should prevent the hammer from dropping. Pull the trigger and send the bolt home. The hammer should not fall once again.