Hello everyone is it a good thing to spray WD-40, breakfree, ect down the gas tube? Went to the range this weekend and there were about 5 quys clenaing there AR’s in the parking lot and they were told to spray WD-40 or other solvents down the gas tube to clean all the carbon out of it . I was told the opposite to leave gas tube alone, are you supposed to clean gas tube?
I’ve never heard anyone (sane) recommend sticking anything in there.
You are right. Leave 'em alone.
You are much more likely to induce failure due to attempted cleaning of the gas tube than realize any result from the effort.
The hot gases through the gas tube do the job of cleaning and anything sprayed down there would most likely turn into carbon. WD40 should not go near a gun ever.
Show me just one owners manual, Field Manual or Tech Manual saying that you should ram anything or blast solvents or anything else of that nature down your gas tube! In my current shop we have A2s with shot out barrrels that we are going to have to replace and we’ll be reusing those same gas tubes. We don’t teach any student to ram anything down there or drip CLP and what-not into the gas tube nor do they do it on their own. Bottom line is that your barrel will burn out and need to be replaced before the gas tube will ever be plugged. However, ramming things down your barrel that can break off or get stuck in there WILL plug your gas tube!
Don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in there.
Only time I heard of cleaning the gas tube was from my buddy.
He is not exactly the person I would take advice from… on ANYTHING! :o
Someone who advocates ‘cleaning’ a gas tube has complete lack of understanding of how the AR works.
This is what happens when people take their maintenance knowldge from movies like swat. People like that are watching too much television and all the wrong channels.
Just so you know…
WD is a penetrating fluid and water displacer not a cleaner or lube. It could be used in an emergency as lube though.
Someone squared me away on this some years ago.
I learned all my AR maintenance from Oprah. . .
Best way to clean the gas tube is to shoot more rounds.
Leave the sucka alone.
OK went shooting again this evening and I talked to one of the employees at the gun range about the guys cleaning their gas tubes well it turns out he is the one that recommended them clean gas tube. He has a AR from a company called gunsmoke enterprise and on their web site they have a cleaning manual part 1 (which I watched real exciting) around 16:30 this person does recommend cleaning gas tube. Here is vid its at bottom of page
http://www.gunsmokeenterprises.net/vids.htm
I basically told him everyone I have talked to says to leave it alone.
As other mentioned, messing with the interior of the gas tube will invite trouble.
It’s a shame people take this type of thing as gospel. The only thing I’ve ever done to a gas tube is wipe the residue off the outer portion extending inside the reciever and between the upper and delta ring. Leave the inside alone!!
I have been shooting AR’s for the better part of 15 years, never cleaned a gas tube ever! Do not listen to this guy!
I just checked out their webpage. I am very suspect of a company that does the following:
-Advertises that “You too can own the same rifle used by CONTRACTORS in IRAQ!”
-Basic model retails for $695.
-Pistol model is built on “Navy SEAL” lower, complete with “Commando” marking.
-Refers to the optic on an “A3 Rifle with Quad Rail” as an Aimpoint, despite the obvious fact that it is a POS Knock-off in a cheapie mount.
-Shows an incorrectly mounted Aimpoint M2 in the optics page.
-Lists more knock-off “optics” than E-Bay.
ETA-
Just watched cleaning video :rolleyes:
Problems-
-Uses a Vortex flash suppressor, which they manufacture in-house. Suprising, since Smith Enterprises holds a trademark on the Vortex FH.
-Insistent on removal of copper fouling, but uses Hoppes 9, which takes days to fully remove copper fouling. If it is so important, why isn’t he using a real copper solvent like Hoppes Benchrest Copper Solvent?
-Advises use of WD-40 as a cleaner.
-Advises use of CLP as a preservative for chrome bores, despite the dismal performance of CLP as a long-term storage protectant, and the simple fact that the chrome bore isn’t going to rust.
-Sees bolts that have fired 1,000 rounds and is amazed that they still fire. Though it is common knowledge that many people and organizations have run their ARs for thousands of rounds without cleaning.
-Seems to believe that a bent rod will damage the chrome lining of a bore, but then says that it is ok to scrape chrome lining with a steel cutter.
-Says that if the gaps in the gas rings are aligned, the weapon will not function.
-Advises replacing gas rings every 1,500 rounds.
-Says that carbon build-up on bolt tail will somehow cause a lost gas seal.
-Lubes inside of gas key.
-Says that headspace is gauged off of the throat.
-Says that the shifting weights in the buffer act as a timing device.
I am less than confident in this individual, and would be just as doubtful of information from someone that would buy that drivel.
I explained to the guy at range that everyone I have asked says leave it alone he basically told me to STFU that he works at a gunstore/range and he knows a hell of alot more than me, and the gun manu recommends cleaning the tube.I will take Grant’s @G&RTactical advice and find another range to go and shoot at.
Going to another range is sound advice. Take it! And don’t ever let this guy work on any of your guns.
Take a Military -10 manual and tell him you will give him $100 if he can find the instructions on how to clean the inside of the gas tube. Ask the richard-cranium if he knows more than the boys at Aberdeen.
When it comes to the gas tube, remember the words of Paul McCartney:
“Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.”