I recently purchased a M&P 15 OR and of course it was new-old stock and the mfg. date was 09/06/2013. I would assume that before I take it to a range for firing I need to at least re-lube it and maybe clean it first. I've never purchased old stock before. I'm just not sure about using the normal hoppe's lubricating gun oil and their No. 9 gun cleaner that I use on my other guns. Serving in the Navy during the Nam era I never carried a weapon back in the day. Are my run of the mill lubes and cleaners that I got with my other cleaning kits ok for the AR 15 and if not which products do I need to purchase for cleaning and lubricating this particular rifle?

Yes , clean and lube first

A rule of thumb is always clean/lube a new firearm prior to your first trip to the range. Factory oil is more of a rust preventative than a lubricant. While cleaning you can inspect parts and check for the possibility of any barrel obstructions (it happens right from the factory at times!), as well as ggetting used to field striping your new firearm. It's just good practice. Get some nylon cleaning brushes (or copper/SS if you prefer), .22 cleaning rod(s)/patches, maybe a .22 cal Bore Snake, and a a chamber brush too, while you're at it. I prefer Klenbore solvent over Hoppe's #9 for cleaning, along with Gun Scrubber for a good degreaser. Plenty of good lubricants to choose from on the market today. MPro7, Slip 2000, Tetra, Break-Free, etc. There's nothing wrong with Hoppe's oil, though. Just about any lube is better than running an AR dry! Learn how your new AR operates so that it becomes second nature to you! Good luck, have fun, and shoot safe!



Read this if you'd like:
Best Gun Oil & Grease [Tested]: Lube it Up! - Pew Pew Tactical

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

Read the manual. Different platforms and manufacturers have different directions. ARs run better wet, but often need the packing crud cleaned off first.

Wilson Combat's manual for their AR platform had certain directions (I honestly don't recall them now), but they are insistent that their 1911s be fired 300-500 rounds with the factory lube and without disassembly because of the fitting.

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NHI, 10-8.

The first cleaning of a NIB gun should be the best it gets. Thoroughly scrub, down to bare metal. Remove all factory oil, gunk, metal shavings. Then inspect and re-oil. Once it works, you can shoot it indefinitely without a cleaning that thorough again.

Thanks for all of the advice about cleaning prior to my taking it to the range for firing. I had overlooked the small S&W instruction manual that was buried underneath the foam padding in its' box but the manual also stated that it should be cleaned and mentioned that I should purchase cleaning supplies from my gun dealer that are specifically made for my type and caliber of firearm (no real help there).

After posting my question about cleaning I googled and found out that some say use only LSA and some use only a CLR and some say it doesn't matter what I use as long as it is a cleaner and a lube, even mentioned using Mobil 1 automobile oil. It's a little confusing to find a firm consensus I guess due to the many different cleaners and lubricants on the gun market.

I did purchase an Otis .223 cal Patriot Series Rifle Kit for the brushes and flex cable I will need from Amazon. I will look for some Youtubers and find some videos that should be simple to follow for field stripping the AR for cleaning.

Just one other question is since I've never had a bore that was chrome lined is there any precautions that I should take while cleaning it? Probably a stupid question but I thought I had better ask to prevent me from messing something up.


Again thanks to all for your assistance!

Clean your CLB as you would any other barrel. Nothing special needs to be done to it.

Again, refer to Post #3 concerning lubrication, and READ the attached link (by Pew Pew)! No need to over-think it.

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

I'm not saying don't clean it, but...



My M&P 45 was factory test fired on 4/23/2007 and purchased new on 5/29/2007.

The first time it was fired since leaving the factory was when I first shot it about 2 years ago. I never cleaned if before firing it.

I put about 500 rounds thru it before I ever cleaned it for the first time.

Never missed a lick before I cleaned it and hasn't missed a lick since being cleaned.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

I'll double check for a bore obstruction and put a bit of lube on if it seems overly dry. Unless it's a Cosmo covered milsurp, or a super nasty used gun, I don't stress about a pre shooting cleaning.

stingingfork I might be wrong but I don't think there is a lick of BLUEING on a m&p15 its has or had a nitride finish on the barrel and a oxide finish or other metal work . Check out Birchwood Casey products for touch up needs . Personally I would give it a basic clean & lube and let some bullets fly .

Watch the video below and make a choice to leave it be , send it home or touch it up your self .

touch up the finish on an AR15 - Bing video