• Update – 12:30 PM EST
    Attachments are now working, and all members can once again upload files.
    We are currently testing URL redirects and other miscellaneous features across the site.
    Thank you for your continued patience and support during this migration.

    Prefer a darker look? You can switch between light and dark modes in your account settings:
    smith-wessonforum.com/account/preferences

AR Cleaning Tools

W

Whitwabit

US Veteran
Joined
May 25, 2015
Messages
2,927
Reaction score
2,661
Location
Central Illinois
New to AR shooting and was wondering if there are any specialty cleaning tools that would make it easier to clean an AR15 ..

I've heard about some not cleaning theirs for many rounds and not interested in rehashing that .. but when you do clean your AR do you use any tools other then the normal cleaning kit for an AR ?

I bought a cleaning kit that has a Real Avid AR scraping tool looks much like the CAT M4 Cleaning Tool I've seen for sale on line .. I have seen the Otis B.O.N.E. tool mentioned in a couple of blogs .. not sure what it does ..

Are there other specialty tools that make cleaning easier ??

What do you use ??
 
Papertowels, Q-tips dry, Q-tips w/light oil, touch of EWG grease in those "special places";) and the appropriate BoreSnake.

Done :D


If something is disastrously dirty (for whatever reason) then a heavy d*o*u*c*h*e with foaming CLP and MUCHO paper towels then the above steps.

I have a tiny paintbrush...never use it.
I have a tiny nylon bottlebrush.....never use it.
Occasionally use a bore brush if some particular ammo has tried to shed its skin in the barrel.



Can you believe your not allowed to say d*o*u*c*h*e ? :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
These guns weren't designed with cleanup as a major consideration. Fouling, whether carbon, powder, or both becomes quite prevalent throughout the receiver area after firing only a few rounds. If there is a difference in the degree of fouling between commercial ammo or handloads (even using a variety of powders), it's minimal.

A bolt radius scraper (that may be what you are referring to) is inexpensive and quite useful. I use one from Brownells. Also, a chamber brush is essential. Most of us want 100% reliability; a clean chamber won't guarantee that but it sure helps.

I don't know how many rounds can be fired before cleaning becomes necessary. I've never fired more than maybe 250 rounds without cleaning. I soak the bolt carrier assembly parts in kerosene for a short time to loosen up fouling.

There's more to cleaning and others will have additional and perhaps better suggestions, but these work well for me. Get good cleaning equipment. From my experience, Otis products don't qualify.
 
Old fashioned guy here. I clean my AR's with Hoppe's #9 (yup), regular brass bore brushes, AR receiver brush, stiff bristle brush that looks like a tooth brush for carbon removal at rear of bolt and regular old patches (and lots of Q-tips). I lube with Slip 2000 but maybe will try grease some time. I'm one of those that cleans within a day or two after shooting unless I'll be shooting again very soon. By the way, I spray the outside all my guns with G-96 and wipe down with a silicone rag before they go where they belong. Crazy eh?
 
Last edited:
I use this bolt scraper.

IMG_0626__37534.1430429339.1200.1200.jpg


Kley-Zion CRT AR-15/M4 Bolt & Carrier Carbon Removal Tool - Botach
 
My grandfather taught me many years ago how well Kerosene and/or Brake Clean works. And, for lubrication, 3 IN 1 oil, or a mixture of trans fluid and a synthetic oil.
The only "FOO-FOO" juice/gun cleaner I own is Grizzly Grease.
 
Whitwabbit wrote:
What do you use ??
Click to expand...

I use a cleaning rod with a bronze brush and a tip that holds patches. I use Hoppe's #9 as a solvent and then Sears Roebuck & Co. Light Machine Oil.

I field strip the rifle as it says in the user's manual, clean everything, lightly oil it and reassemble it. I clean the rifle after every use.

As you can see from what has already been posted, people do all sorts of things in the name of cleaning their gun, but according to pages 38-39 of the Sport II manual, the people that built the gun say that this is ALL you NEED to DO.
 
Last edited:
hdwhit said:
As you can see from what has already been posted, people do all sorts of things in the name of cleaning their gun, but according to pages 38-39 of the Sport II manual, the people that built the gun say that this is ALL you NEED to DO.
Click to expand...

The military ruined me, I know I over clean my rifles but I know I won't have a malfunction from carbon build up either.
 
I need a cleaning Kit, or at least lubrication oil. Not sure what to get? I don't want a $159 kit. I have the M&P Sport II AR15 and a Springfield XD Mod.2 9MM 4" service model hand gun. I see Hoppes oil a lot?

Here is a kit on Amazon for $27.97
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-No-Deluxe-Gun-Cleaning/dp/B000KKCYEA[/ame]

71o-UbvuWjL._SL1500_.jpg
 
This is basically what I was issued in the military, compact and lightweight. I bring it to the range with me in case I get a shell stuck in the chamber, used them all the time at the range while I was still active duty.

Dobbs works fine, SLIP2000 works great!

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MFFF8ZY/ref=sxr_pa_click_within_right_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3008539542&pf_rd_r=QW6MX28RSAVT7EC07VT5&pd_rd_wg=2FDeq&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhs-carousels&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_w=9TVji&pf_rd_i=gi+weapons+cleaning+kit&pd_rd_r=HAMSX2YA6QAN6P0WX2N1&psc=1[/ame]

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Slip2000-Extreme-Lure-3-Pack-2-Ounce/dp/B00905AON4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1495765278&sr=8-3&keywords=slip%2B2000&th=1&psc=1[/ame]
 
Last edited:
Cleaning kit

Otis Modern Sporting Rifle & AR Cleaning System. You can find it on Amazon for $39.99. Best kit I ever found. Also buy some Hoppe's #9. I have a Sig P516 patrol with a gas piston. A lot easier to clean than a gas impingement, and it stays a lot cleaner.
 
Last edited:
Well I bought a bore snake, and star brush and star cleaning pads , and a scraper tool .. don't need a complete kit it would just duplicate cleaning supplies I already have !! I have picks and patches and such ..

The bolt cleaning tool was one thing I didn't have so picked one up .. should have everything I need now ..

Appreciate all the comments and advice !!

Thanks !! Now if it will stop raining on my off days long enough to get to the range ..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Sport 3 tools
Replies
3
Views
868
WR Moore
W
L
  • Locked
**SOLD** Wilson Combat magazine
Replies
1
Views
409
Aircrewman
A
W
Flint Tool ID help
Replies
12
Views
592
kimporter
kimporter
chief38
Best use of an old tooth brush
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
cracker57
cracker57
chief38
Does anyone else still use a Speed Wrench Driver?
2 3
Replies
50
Views
1K
Engineer1911
Engineer1911

Latest posts

Back
Top