I have asked this question a few times at various places and the answers are varied, as one might expect. However Im curious to see if anyone here has anything to add, new or otherwise.
Specifically, what DO you use for a cleaning kit, the Otis kit etc?
What solvent do you use?
What Lube do you use?
Any special guide rods? Cleaning rods? The one piece vs two piece has been well established but still some have their reasons…
Just like to hear opinions and why some are what they are.
Furthermore, when one needs to do a dissassembly and cleaning of ones bolt, any good recomendations? (besides those chamber stars…)
The answers will vary depending on what the definition of “clean” is My own personal routine varies depending on the rifle, my full-auto mag-dump machine gets one treatment while my tack drivers get a totally different approach.
-What is the absolute min that needs to be done to keep the rifle functional?
-What needs to be done to maintain accuracy in a chrome lined carbine?
-What needs to be done to maintain accuracy in a non-chrome lined tack-driver?
I use a dewey rod and the dewey bore guide. I also hear sinclair make a good boreguide but I dont have experience with it. I dont think you can go wrong with dewey. I recently read the Pat Rogers article posted by yrac and I decided to pickup some slip2000 and carbon killer after reading a few good reviews on the products. I look forward to trying them out.
I use the YHM AR/M16 cleaning kit. Kind of th estandard military cleaning kit. For cleaners I use Hoppes 9 and Outers Nitro Solvent. I have been thinking about trying some Slip 2000 products. Including there parts washers.
For bolt cleaning I use q-tips and rags. For chamber cleaning I use q-tips but need to get some chamber stars because a Q-tip only does so much. That is pretty much what I use.
Here’s my cleaning kit… pretty fancy eh…
GI issue brush
GI issue pistol cleaning rod with worn out chamber brush
Newer Chamber brush
Chunk of GI issue T-Shirt
Some GI Issue CLP
Some Slip 2000 carbon Cutter and lube
.30 cal Patches
.22 cal Patches
Bolt carrier Carbon scraper (Which gets no use anymore)
This kit has served me well for many years both at home and in the field. The various Lubes and cleaners change as I deplete my stockpiles and acquire new stuff.
I tend to clean my chrome lined barrels differently than my SS barrels. If I am cleaning a CL barrel, I simply us a bore snake. If the barrel has seen several thousand rounds through it, then I might do a little polishing the KG2. I also use the KG2 when I do fire lapping.
To clean a SS barrel, I use a nylon brush. The reason I use a nylon one vs a brass one is that brass will scratch the barrel which in turn gives powder, copper, etc more places to stick. After I have scrubbed the barrel, I use German made pellets and a Jag on the end of a Dewey rod. I saturate each pellet with KG1 until they come back clean. These pellets are also good for polishing a barrel with the KG2.
For cleaning the recieiver, BCG and chamber, I soak everything in KG1 for about 10 minutes. Then just wipe it clean and do over (if needed). To get the carbon out of the bolt carrier, I use a scraper I got from ADCO. Works very well!
To clean the chamber, I use chamber stars. These little guys get behind the lugs and into each slot. No more using all of your wifes Q-tips!
For receiver/BCG lube, I have been using the MD Labs XF7. This stuff does not burn off and really sticks to moving parts. For all other areas, I use KG’s lube.
Where does one procure the MD labs stuff, I have only heard/read snipits about it, but Id like to try some, I use that Corosion X (sp?) stuff, but Id sure be up for trying something new.
Thanks for the info guys and C4iGRant and others for the pics!
Keep em coming if you got any good tips/pointers or any other great ideas.
My own personal routine varies depending on the rifle, my full-auto mag-dump machine gets one treatment while my tack drivers get a totally different approach.
