I didn’t grow up with guns, so I’m having to rely on the wisdom of the internet, and since this is the wisest part of the gun-internet, I ask this here:
I clean my CMMG AR-15 (i.e., strip, soak in CLP, scrub each piece, oil with CLP, put back together, usually run a bore snake, or jag and patch the barrel) after every time I shoot. Is this completely necessary? I see a lot of shooters on this and other forums that run their guns several thousand rounds without cleaning. Is cleaning defined more strictly than what I’ve been doing? How often do you clean your firearms, and what does that entail?
Thanks. I know I ask a lot of stupid questions on this forum, but ya’ll are so helpful! Thanks for all the advice.
i clean my gun after each use, but i don’t always give it the full cleaning. since i spent a good chunk of cash on my gun, i want to take care of it. i always clean the barrel and lube the bcg after each use, and either every other time or when i get close to 500 rounds, i’ll pull it completely apart and scrub everything and do what you are talking about.
also, i’ve been using automatic transmission fluid as a cleaner and regular mobil1 motor oil as a lube, and it has worked great on my gun so far, and its pretty cost effective. hope this helps.
I punch the barrel and chamber and do a wipe off of the BCG and inside upper. I then apply some light lube and reassemble. The last two times I pretty much did a wipe down and put them back in their resting spots.
Working guns: Internal and external wipe-down, visual inspection of parts, brush the chamber, pull a boresnake once, lube generously, and reload. 10 minutes if I go slow and am distracted.
Gun guns: Knock the chunks out, relube generously, shoot them until the stop running.
I basically follow the -10 in regards to PM for weapons going to be stored for any amount of time.If the rifle is to be used again within a few days I’ll knock the chunks off,inspect the parts,clean the chamber with a chamber brush and punch the bore a few times before relube.
Basically I follow the old saying “the sun never sets on a dirty weapon.”
It helps me keep Mr.Murphy at bay especially in the area of corrosion here in the toilet bowl.
I always heard that guns were allergic to WD40?? Leaves a “varnish” like coat that makes guns gill-fart.
The only good thing I’ve ever used WD40 for, was years ago when I had a Land Cruiser, to dry out a distributor cap when I was foolish enough to drive in water that was too deep.
Unless you’re in a gun-hostile environment (such as salt-water or large amounts of dust/dirt in the air) or shooting corrosive ammo, thorough cleaning on any kind of regular schedule is largely optional. As demonstrated by members on this site, you can run a quality AR for tens of thousands of rounds, only stopping to clean crud off the extractor when it builds up too much.
Note however that regular lubrication is necessary for reliable operation, how much and where depend on the gun you’re running. In the case of the AR, several forum members with way more experience than I have already posted guides on the subject.
Cleaning it after each use shouldn’t cause you any problems, it’s probably overkill but if it makes you happy why not. Its usually not necessary. I clean most fireams after each use too.
Another thing important to note is other than parts inspection,lubrication and corrosion concerns(very humid environment here),I also alternate between steel cased and brass case ammunition from one day to the next.
That said Ive found that when using strict diets of steel cased ammo alone, its good practice to clean the chamber every 400 rounds or so to keep the weapon functional.
A basic cleaning as outlined in the -10 helps keep the weapon in functional condition no matter what can/mag of ammo I grab going out the door on the next use.Plus when I put the weapons away I consider them to be in grab and go condition,particularly defensive situations,so all the above applies for me.
IMHO a few minutes spent doing at least a minimal PM after use is not much effort to expend in keeping my somewhat expensive and trusted weapons in the best condition I can.
Same philosophy translated to my hand tools,vehicles etc…
I like to clean after each use. Several reasons why I do that.
I live in a relatively humid environment, near Houston, so its a good idea to not give the elements an opportunity to get a foothold with rust, corrosion and other bad juju.
I plan to use my weapon for a SHTF situation if ever needed for that. Sometimes, if you get into that situation, you will get little or no warning and taking time to clean a dirty weapon is the last thing I would have “spare time” allotted to when there are so many things to do then. I would hate to have to use my weapon suddenly and have it fail on me just because I didn’t take 15 minutes after the last shooting to clean it up.
It makes me feel good when, on one of those occasions that I am showing my rifle to a friend of mine and as I present it, and open the action, all is clean and oiled instead of dirty and gunky.
That’s it for me. Others may not need a clean weapon at the ready like I think I do. To each his own.
Thanks for all the advice.