Looking for someone to teach me to properly clean an AR 15

[Ruger1972]

I just bought a new Smith & Wesson M&P Sport AR 15 but don't know anything about guns or riffles so I'm looking for someone who has a good knowledge about the AR15 who could teach me how to clean it properly. I've been watching you tube vids but when I tried to do it myself I was not able to get a bore brush down the barrel and got discouraged and put it back together and threw it in the closet. Anyway if you're near the Lititz, PA area I'd be willing to pay like $20 for your time.

[ATBackpackin]

Are you using a bore brush or a chamber brush? I only ask because you say you are new to firearms. A chamber brush will not go down the bore, but a bore brush will require force to clean properly. If you are sure you have the right size brush and there is no obstruction just use some force as new brushes can be stiff.

Bore brush



Chamber brush

[FUNDAMENTALS]

Do not get frustrated. A little understanding of the cleaning instructions in
your owners manual can go a long way. There are excellent Youtube videos
showing how to clean, assemble/disassemble your S&W. I never run a dry bore brush down the barrel. I use a bore patch with a little bore cleaner first to lubricate the the rifles bore. I am sure that members in your area will come to
your aid and help you solve the problem.

[Ruger1972]

Thanks for your replies! I was wondering the difference between the 2 brushes as I had bought a kit with both of them. I will also definately use the oil on a patch prior to using the bore brush in the future. I ended up using google after my post and someone with the same issue said what he does is instead of pushing the bore brush through he hooks it unto a cable and pulls it through. I tried that and sure enough it worked. Guess that's what thinking outside the box will do for ya!

I have a few more questions. Are there any parts that I should avoid getting oil on and can I use Fire Clean not only to clean but also to oil the riffle? In all of the vids I watch it seems everyone has 3 or 4 different products they use...one to clean, one to lube, one to grease etc. can I really just use Fire Clean and that's it? If not, any suggestions on a product and it's specific purpose would be appreciated.

[jw34]

Thanks for your replies! I was wondering the difference between the 2 brushes as I had bought a kit with both of them. I will also definately use the oil on a patch prior to using the bore brush in the future. I ended up using google after my post and someone with the same issue said what he does is instead of pushing the bore brush through he hooks it unto a cable and pulls it through. I tried that and sure enough it worked. Guess that's what thinking outside the box will do for ya!

I have a few more questions. Are there any parts that I should avoid getting oil on and can I use Fire Clean not only to clean but also to oil the riffle? In all of the vids I watch it seems everyone has 3 or 4 different products they use...one to clean, one to lube, one to grease etc. can I really just use Fire Clean and that's it? If not, any suggestions on a product and it's specific purpose would be appreciated.

Everyone has their own personal opinions on cleaning and lube products. And just like the gun itself, everyone who has a particular brand or model thinks theirs is the best.
I know there are several multi-use products out there to clean and lube in one step. Personally I was taught two separate steps. 1. Clean it 2. Lube it. I think chemicals have their specific use. I clean with solvents, then lube with oil.
Do what works for you. Just like your cleaning question, areas to lube can certainly be found via Google and YouTube videos. But my basic rule of thumb is to lubricate where moving metal touches. Some guns like to run a bit on the wet side, while some seem to run better with little lube. When I build a new AR, they seem to want to swim in a pool of oil before they break in and run well. Yet my Glocks don't care if they they haven't been cleaned or lubed in years.
Just remember, extra oil SEEMS like a good idea to reduce friction between moving parts and inhibit rust.....but, it also can collect dirt, dust, etc...
It's not rocket science. You just have to get a feel for it.

[wjg]

If you made it here you have find all the resources you need online.

http://www.weaponevolution.com/

http://www.ar15.com

http://www.brownells.com (their education videos)

and any of the hundreds, thousands of youtube videos. I think you are watching the wrong ones to be honest.

If you are having problems with the bore brush, you might have the wrong sized bore brush. You need the right size, and a handle so that the bore brush can spin with the rifling.

I have both methods of cleaning, rod and cable. There are a couple tricks to them. Namely, for a rod, you should get a bore guide for it to protect the chamber and muzzle crown, and for cables, there can be tricks to attaching the patch to the cable so it doesn't get stuck (it should not be the same way as a cleaning rod). Find one method and stick to it for now.

Fireclean is a special coating. Stay away from it for now. Just start out with the typical clean and lube.

I live near Lititz, I can help you out.

I would also visit Lanco Tactical in Elizabethtown. They are AR-15 specialists. They can teach you want to do, and sell you the correct supplies. Just bring your rifle. http://www.lancotactical.com/ (they do not have a good web presence, but you but still visit them, they will get your squared away)

Don't get hung up on cleaning an AR-15. Take it back out of the closest. You can shoot hundreds of rounds before during minimal maintenance. SWAT Magazine: Keep your Carbine Running We are not in a desert or in the War on Terror, so you don't really need a dry lube (Fire Clean, Frog Lube, et. al).

And sign yourself up with the next live firing classes with Rockwell Tactical. http://www.rockwelltactical.com/

[wanneroo]

Before running any brush down the barrel, I always get it nice and wet with a spray cleaner like MPro7 or Ballistol. Maybe I'll even run a wet patch down the barrel too. I might let it sit for a few minutes before I work on the barrel this time with a properly sized brush, one piece carbon fiber rod and some solvent like Hoppes. Once I do that I alternate between wet and dry patches to get the remaining residue and then one last look down the barrel to make sure it looks good and there is no remaining crap in the barrel. Make sure you have the right sized patches for your gun too.

When starting out take your time, learn the names of the parts on your gun(that way if someone says do XYZ you'll know what the heck they are talking about") and what they do or what their function is.

Also don't get too carried away with cleaning. I use my rifles a lot and I might use a bore brush once or twice a year. A couple of times a year I just do the routine with wet and dry patches. To me if a rifle is so fussy it needs a cleaning regime that takes longer than my shooting time, then that's not a rifle for me.

I have a 1936 Swiss K31 and the Swiss almost never used a bore brush. Right after firing while the barrel was still hot they would run a patch with grease on it down the barrel. Then after they got home they would run a dry patch through to remove that grease and then for storage run another patch with grease on it down the barrel. Next time they got to the range they would run a dry patch through and clean out that old grease before firing.

That routine might be considered out of date today, especially the Waffenfett grease they used, but they didn't go hog wild with scrubbing brushes and I've got a 70 year old barrel that looks like new.

[raxar]

You could join the army, they'll even give you free ammunition

[51158]

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http://www.armsroom.com/files/m16.pdf

[keystoneman 85]

Check out DNA Weaponry in Lititz. I'm sure one of the owners (Dave) would be happy to show you how to break it down, clean it, and put back together.,

I'd offer up my time, but with the holidays, work, and chasing my kids around time is sparse!