After cleaning, I always wipe down barrels of my firearms with a lightly lubricated cloth to prevent rust. On the 15-22, the handguard keeps me from being able to do this for over half the barrel. If the barrel gets wet, it is difficult to dry behind the handguard. Is there an easy way to get to the barrel behind the handguard?

Bought one today, and am looking at the same situation. I believe that you must use a 4-prong wrench to remove the barrel & forearm to get to the barrel.

I think I'll just spray gun oil through the forearm and then blow the bbl dry with my compressor until I learn more about the 15-22.

It's a 2 prong wrench. Some for sale thru a few of the guys here on the forum.

No need to remove the barrel.

The endcap on the handguard is held on by 4 prongs. You'll see them.

Depress the prongs and remove the endcap. This give you access to the inner barrel.

I just take a sponge and cut it to the size I need. I then spray it with some Ballistol or whatever you choose to use. Then just stick the sponge inside the handguard against the barrel and using a stick (I use a wooden paint stir) and run it around a time or two.

Works like a champ!

Replace the endcap and your done. Takes about 2 minutes.

You don't have to remove the end cap, or the flash hider, just unsnap it and slide the end cap foreward, and then use an oil damp section of rag wrapped around a wire brush on a rod to hold it and wipe the exterior of the barrel leaving a thin coat of oil on it....not much to it...............best regards Plum

In addition to the above, you don't have to lock the end cap in with the prongs every time. Just line up the prongs with the slots and push the end cap in. It stays in place pretty well, with just the slight friction fit on my rifle during shooting, and this also fits slightly looser and helps to free float the barrel for accuracy..........Plum

SMITH & WESSON M&P 15-22 BARREL NUT WRENCH - Brownells

For rust prevention on firearms there is no product as good as Eezox, a synthetic CLP that can be used as a cleaner and lube. As a competitive shooter I have used nothing else on my guns for over 3 years. And we have to shoot matches rain or shine so rust prevention is a serious concern, especially for things like a $4000 STI racegun.

FYI, the barrel nut wrench by Shooboy is 4 prong not 2 (at least mine is) as previously stated, just sayn. Have a few added
bits of info., if you check out Shooboy Tools here on the S&W forum vendors you will find some "must have" tools so that
you may work on your 15-22 without messing up your rifle.

Lots of good ideas here in this thread as far as maintaing your rifle barrel, so here is my .02. Since I have allready removed my end cap (free float of the barrel) I just use a small flat sponge, cut in a small square & just push the end of my cleaning rod into it then secure it with a couple pieces of duct tape (to hold it in place) then spray it with some CLP & run it down inside the hand guard against the barrel, a few swipes & your done, works great for me

It is a 4 prong wrench that I supply too. You don't need the hand guard end cap in. The barrel is free floating. There is a pretty long discussion about that.
You can always put a free float hand guard from an AR on your 15-22 and unscrew it when you want to clean the entire barrel. Since there is no gas tube to get in the way, it's pretty easy.

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