Quote:
Originally Posted by NbleSavage
Thanks all for the responses on my 'Cleaning the M&P 15-22 thread. I'm as green as they come with this rifle and want to learn good habits so I can pass them on to my son.
Here's how I *THINK* I should proceed with cleaning the rifle - please correct me if I've mixed this up anywhere...
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Here is my two cents worth.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NbleSavage
1) Clear the rifle visually and physically
* Set to 'Safe'
* Remove the magazine
* Pull charging handle back and visually inspect the chamber
* Lock the bolt back and finger-sweep the chamber
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Close.
A-
Make darn sure, that your rifle is pointed in a safe direction, away from anything you don't want to accidentally shoot.
1.
Set to safe.
<--
2. Remove magazine.
3. Grasp charging handle. Pull bolt back. Depress bolt hold open lever, the smaller part not the finger pad. It's on the safety (weak) side, opposite the ejection port (chamber opening).
4. Visually inspect chamber to make sure it is empty.
I don't like inserting my finger into the chamber of any semi auto, unless I am very careful to make sure the bolt release wont be bumped, or something. The bolts themselves, on some semi autos, easily release when even the bolt itself is bumped, and you can get a good pinch on your finger. I have not noticed this happening with my 15-22 however.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NbleSavage
2) Remove the takedown pin
* Press from the 'Action' side out the 'Safe' side and pull to remove
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Well, sort of. You are on the right track though.
The TDP moves in the other direction, and you don't remove it, because it is self retaining. They wont fall out and get lost. Nice feature isn't it?
1. Push on the take down pin, with your thumb, from the safety side, until the crown of the TDP pushes out on the other side (chamber port side), about 1/8th of an inch. You will hear and feel it click.
3. Find the rim, at the top of the TDP, on the other side now.
4. Use the nail of your thumb, and the finger of your choice, to pull out on the take down pin (TDP).
The TDP will easily slid out, about an inch, and it will click in place. It wont come out, but it no longer passes through the TDP channel through the upper and lower receiver, and now the upper can be swiveled up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NbleSavage
3) Separate the upper receiver from the lower receiver
4) Pull the charging handle back slightly so as to expose the bolt carrier
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That's basically correct.
Remove, the bolt carrier group (BCG) and charger, first thing though.
After swinging the upper receiver up a tad, you just grasp the charger handle and the BCG as it begins to clear the receiver, and then you slide the whole shebang out.
The receiver retaining pin, or swivel pin the upper swings up on, operates in the same way the TDP does. It wont fall out either. I love that.
Now for the actual cleaning.
Me, well I like bore snakes, and I believe they are better than the whole cleaning rod with brushes and patches way.
Here is why:
You can very easily ding your muzzle crown, which will adversely affect accuracy, with the use of cleaning rods. A lot of people, also tend to over scrub their bores with the brushes too, by going in and out. I don't think that is good for the bore at all. Just my little opinion.
They do make rods that are less likely to ding the muzzle though. Some metal rods have a little collar that projects into the barrel opening, which the rod slides in and out of, to prevent the rod from contacting the bore and dinging it up. Some metal rods have a protective coating of plastic, and some rods are even made of plastic.
Now from there, the whole bore snake vs rods brushes and patches debate, is easily batted back and forth endlessly, and I shall spare us both.
I just think that bore snakes are far less likely to damage anything, if used properly, and snakes have a lot more surface area than patches. As long as you wash them occasionally, to keep them clean, I am convinced that snakes are more than effective enough. Just my opinion.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NbleSavage
10) Spray all exposed metal parts with a gun oil (I have a spray bottle of Rem Oil) and remove excess with a rag
* Bolt carrier
* Outside of barrel
* Hand protector
* Others?
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First I spritz a little solvent in the entire chamber area, and I let it sit there a few minutes. Then I use an unused tooth brush, to scrub all the carbon fouling etc., from the entire chamber area of the upper. That includes, the chamber face, the feed ramp and the entire chamber area.
I also do the same, to remove any gun shot residue (GSR) and carbon traces, from the magazine well and anywhere I can see or smell it (or it is likely to be for that matter), on both the 'upper' and 'lower'.
Rem Oil, while good stuff for what it is, is in my opinion a poor choice for a protective coating on all the exposed metal.
Until recently I used it exclusively. I have since been informed though, that the lubricating property of Rem Oil is accomplished by the microscopic coating of
dry Teflon particles it leaves behind. So whatever the liquid is that the Teflon particles are carried in, which soon evaporates away completely, it is not oil. So Rem Oil is not a good choice for a wipe down. I think, Rem Oil, is probably inadequate as a lube for our BCGs also. I am switching to Ballistol as one step CLP myself. I will still use Elite (or M-Pro 7 which is the exact same thing), in the bore and on the bolt though, at least occasionally
Here is good web page about gun powder solvents and lubricants.
gun care/maintenance - PerfectUnion BBS
Quote:
Originally Posted by NbleSavage
11) Re-assemble charging handle and bolt carrier
12) Re-assemble upper receiver and lower receiver
13) Replace the takedown pin
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It will be a lot easier if done in this order.
1. Rejoin upper and lower.
2. Push in the swivel pin until it clicks and locks in place.
3. Insert charger into the track in the upper. Push it in a little way, not all the way.
4. Now insert the well cleaned and lubricated BCG, return spring up, so that little pin at the top inserts into the slot on the underside of the charger.
5. Slide the BCG and charger into the receiver, until the charger handle locks in place.
6. Swing down the upper into the lower.
7. Push in the TDP, until it clicks and snaps into place.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NbleSavage
14) Perform function check
* Pull charging handle back and release
* Visually inspect that bolt has closed
* Pull charging handle back and lock bolt open
* Visually inspect for empty chamber
* Finger sweep for empty chamber
* Close bolt
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That's all pretty good. First things first though.
A - Point weapon in safe direction.
1. Make sure safety is in SAFE position.
2. Do not insert magazine containing ammunition.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NbleSavage
* Pull charging handle and dry fire 1x
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Never dry fire a rimfire weapon. Doing so will damage the firing pin. Yes, .22lr is a rimfire cartridge. Don't fret if you have already done so a few times. You are probably OK. Just stop doing that is all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NbleSavage
* Set to 'Safe' and test that trigger lock is working
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Yes, but I always do that first thing. Me, I just do it out of habit, reflexively.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NbleSavage
Again, I'm as dumb as a rock with this & please correct me if I've mis-spoken here or if you have suggestions / additions.
Peace.
- Savage
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I am dumber than a bag of hammers myself.
I hope those more knowledgeable will correct me also.
Oh yeah, before I forget.
Read the owners manual that came with your Rifle.
Enjoy your new rifle, Savage.