Self assembled Feild Cleaning kits*PICS*

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

So ive been trying to put together a good military field cleaning kit. Something that can sustain maintenance needs for an extended time out in the field(training or in country) or in a highly mobile bug out situation. Light weight and easily packable.

I know that I can keep my rifle running off of basically just wiping off the carrier and bolt and keeping it lubed. In my experience that’s not always a long term solution. Shit gets nasty and for peace of mind id like the ability to tear down and really get in there.

This is an alternative to something like the otis cleaning kit which ive found to be lacking things.
Because this (below) happens Id like to be prepared

I’m thinking one weapon system right now, My go to AR.

I figure I can always add small parts for additional weapons as I go or the need arises.

So far what I got for this project is:

Basic GI butt stock kit
-Cleaning rods
-AP brush
-Eyelet
-Chamber brush
-Bore brush

What ive added so far
-Chamber swab
-Boresnake
-decent patches
-lightly oiled rag
-1inch paintbrush(my dog tactically acquired that so in the process of
replacement)

Now where my thought process is, is in long term sustainability.
Obviously what im missing is Lube. I was thinking a weapon properly treated with froglube is sustainable for a while with liquid froglube.
But since it reacts with other lubes, In a bugout situation or extended time out. After ive depleted my resources maybe its smarter to go with something more conventional? Comments?

Contemplating a Dental pik, Id be pissed if I left it out and really wanted it someday, but cant really justify its need.

Lastly what im looking for is a good case for it all. something completely seal-able, small, MOLLE a plus, stuff-able, durable, and appropriate.
One thing I dont like about the otis is that its a bitch to shove in the front of an assault pack with is unforgiving round shape and the molle tethering is so short Ive had one unwork its self and that’s unquestionably a waste.

So basically Im wondering what some of you have for situations like this. What am I missing… what should I ditch?

Also maybe some small appropriate tools you would consider packing away? I have my leatherman on hand but that doesn’t really do everything I may need?

I’m a very visual learner so any pics of what some of you guys have would be greatly appreciated. That and who doesn’t love pics?

2

I have what you have, plus:

giant bath towel
rubber gloves
300+ q tips
150+ patches
Frog Lube paste and liquid
2 extra bottles of EWL

I do have more stuff for my handguns but that’s all for my AR15. This stuff lives in my rifle bag and if it’s SHTF I figure I’ll need quantity of quality. Although I don’t clean my rifle after every time I shoot like a lot of people, so items could be used to barter with.

3

What exact situation are you preparing for? A true SHTF situation where you are “bugged out”, humping cross country, and basically cut off from all civilization?

What exactly do you plan on having to clean on your rifle? Do you forsee cleaning off mud from dropping your rifle, or do you think you’ll have to clean off caked up carbon from firing thousands of rounds through your weapon between cleanings?

I am asking these questions seriously because I want to know what your state of mind is before I offer any “advise”. I have thought these situations through as well, and have really boiled it down to what I really “need”…

4

With the understanding that this is a bug-out, field cleaning kit…

  1. USGI Cleaning Rod.

  2. Chamber Brush.

  3. Bore Brush.

  4. Small Bottle of Ballistol.

  5. Sock.

  6. Tooth Brush.

  7. This is primarily for stuck cases. Otherwise I would only carry one section for cleaning the chamber.

  8. Chamber cleanliness matters- don’t want to have a torn case or a failure to extract because of a dirty chamber.

  9. The bore brush only tags along because the full cleaning rod is already there for stuck cases. Otherwise it would be omitted. I am not going to have a significant decrease in accuracy due to bore fouling given the quantity of ammunition I could carry on my person.

  10. Lube matters a whole lot more than any cleaning. Ballistol is my product of choice. Awesome stuff.

  11. Works as a cleaning rag. Wipe off crud.

  12. To get in the extractor claw and such. Just to knock crud out of tight places.

5

I would suggest a Multi-Tasker tool. It has most of the tools that you might need in the field, including a caste nut wrench. It is well designed and manufactured. Available @ Brownell’s and others.

6

Well im thinking less about a longterm bug out. More about a month or so out in the field w/o resupply in a military situation, or a bug out situation where its a grab and go and resupply as I go.

I’m not really thinking 1000s of round because that’s kind of unrealistic in both situations.
More thinking about adverse weather playing its part along with crud, shitty muddy places… Just getting filthy threw my rifle being out in the elements for an extended period of time, as well as carbon buildup.

Hypothetically you drop your rifle chamber open and now your f@*ked with mud and what ever else is in there and it drops below freezing at night so it has to be cleaned. What would you like to have on hand for that?

I do like keeping my rifle clean for peace of mind and habit.

As for what to keep it all in… im looking for a small pouch or case.
What do you guys think? know of anything? I saw a small maxpediton pouch that zipped closed. But im more than open to suggestions.

7

I’ll add that I would be carrying a Leatherman MUT. I don’t usually consider that part of my cleaning supplies, so I forgot to mention it.

And as far as what you are talking about… I just don’t throw my rifle action-open into the mud. Dust cover is there for a reason…

8

I knew someone was going to say something like that, obviously im not just dragging my shit threw the mud…

I don’t know what your experiences are but shit happens, unfortunately its usually when your in a situation where you need it to work.

Ill be looking into the MUT, Iv never handled one but multiple people have recommended them in the past.

9

He said “drop” not “throw”. Sometimes you find yourself in a situation that no matter how much self discipline you have, you don’t have your full facilities because of heat, cold, rain, wind, dehydration, lack of food, fatigue, injury- what have you, and you drop your weapon at the worst possible moment

10

Okay, let’s say you “drop” your rifle into a pile of mud as you’re just meandering along. The dust cover should have been closed, and a magazine should have been in the magazine well. There should be no functional issues with the rifle. Rinse it in a pond, creek, lake, stream, river, etc. and dry it off.

The only instance I can think of when you might drop a rifle action-open into mud would be in a very undesirable combat scenario. In which case, if it prohibits your rifle from functioning all the cleaning supplies in the world won’t help you because whomever you are exchanging fire with is going to kill you while you are trying to clean the gunk out of your rifle.

Transition to secondary if it’s a “danger close” situation. If that is not the case, clean the gunk out of your rifle at the next possible moment using some water and your tooth brush.

11

From your mouth to God’s ears.

Mud doesn’t always mean “creek” or “pond” nearby. Fatigue means mistakes. Jsop isn’t asking about carrying enough gear to require a logistics command following him around, he’s talking about enough gear to keep a rifle going without having to “return to base”.

Mistakes happen. While it would be kinda rare to drop your rifle, in the mud, with the mag out and the dust cover open, it could happen. It’d be nice to have something practical on hand to get the rifle up & running again before you run into the badguys.

If we could control all the variables, we’d just put all the bad luck on our enemies and stay home

12

For some reason when I read your post I could hear that hilarious video on YouTube with the animated dudes…

OP

How about a standard GI cleaning kit?

Cleaning rod
Bore brush
Chamber brush
Patch holder
Patches
Tooth brush
CLP

13

I appreciate your input but I don’t think were on the same page.

^^ We are though.

That statement was about a “well fuck me!” moment. Not a statement about tactics and procedures.

14

Thats what ive started with, the basics are the basics for a reason. Added some things Ive like having in the past. And maybe looking for other things people have discovered.

15

Then wipe off the parts on your shirt and get on with life. Carrying a bath towel in the event you might drop your rifle in the mud with the action open in a non-combat scenario, but with one imminently approaching is along the same lines of carrying a spare rifle because you might get a squib and blow up your current rifle.

16

Im under the impression you’ve never been part of a active military grunt unit, which is fine but when your on a field exorcize your not walking around with mags in. At least never one that I was involved in.

And when there’s been live fire there’s a lot of chamber checking and bolts locked to the rear for safety issues.

As for the SHTF senario that wasnt what I was thinking about, I was thinking about propping my rifle up in a portashitter and then opening the door and BAM “FUCK ME!” it tipped over…

As for transitioning to my secondary <– yes in a SHTF senario
Real life, Most of the time my M4 is my secondary and a Heavy gun being my primary.

17

No I haven’t participated in any military field drills or military live fire drills.

And I’m not really sure when “drill” = “SHTF”. The whole premise of this thread was for a SHTF cleaning kit.

18

No it was not. –> I <– started the thread and in my first line I said “field or SHTF” mostly geared towards real like military training evolutions with SHTF as a secondary thought.

I guess many people wont understand what I meant by “the field” and ill probably edit that to simplify that.

19

Usually don’t get involved in this, but most of you are missing the most obvious source for “lube” . Automobiles of course mainly the hundreds if not thousands abandoned in a shtf due to lack of fuel etc.
All that engine/tranny oil will still be there when the automobile is ditched. Punch a hole and there’s your resupply:D

20

Add a 1/8 inch punch and call it a day. No need to add extra rags and such…In a “Field” environment you’ll have spare shirts.

All my time in the military and I’ve never needed more than what I had listed. That was time spent as 11B and 55D (89D Now) CONUS and “In Country”.

You want to keep it light and simple. You want it easily packable and you want it to sustain you for long(er) periods of time. Put CLP in your kit (Or enter your favorite lube) and those recommendations are what you’ve asked for.