Cleaning M&P 15 Bolt & Bolt Carrier

[conchmariner]

Appreciate hearing from you all about how you do this and what you use.
Thanks.

 

[jcall]

After I finish firing the rifle (i usually go thru around 300 or so rounds each trip to the range) I break down the rifle and pull out the bolt and bolt carrier, take all that apart, spray everything with CLP and either wipe down or scrub some with a nylon brush if needed. Then I use Slip 2000 EWL (Extreme Weapon Lubricant) to lube all the parts. (Other parts are cleaned and lubed as well but this is answering your question )

I used to lube with CLP, but it dried too much between range trips and lubrication suffered. So I tried Slip 2000 EWL and its fantastic!! Its great at keeping the rifle "wet" between range trips and keeps everything running smoothly. I heard the Slip 2000 cleaning products work very good as well. I will probably switch when I use up the CLP I have laying around.

Hope that helps

 

[conchmariner]

Appreciate that info. I don't fire nearly that many rounds at a range session through mine (usually 100 or less), but I'm always surprised at how dirty the bolt carrier and bolt get. Do you pretty much lube the entire outside of the bolt carrier, or just certain parts? I've been cleaning with Hoppes, but will try spraying with CLP and using a nylon brush like you suggest. I wonder if maybe just soaking the entire thing overnight in a good cleaning solution would work.

 

[KiaTia]

Appreciate that info. I don't fire nearly that many rounds at a range session through mine (usually 100 or less), but I'm always surprised at how dirty the bolt carrier and bolt get. Do you pretty much lube the entire outside of the bolt carrier, or just certain parts? I've been cleaning with Hoppes, but will try spraying with CLP and using a nylon brush like you suggest. I wonder if maybe just soaking the entire thing overnight in a good cleaning solution would work.

I have found that if you spray it down a little with some Rem oil before you shoot the cleaning process is much easier. I too run about 300 rounds or better through mine and putting the spray on there before going to the range has cut my cleaning time in half.

 

[3rd Gen Neal]

I'm doing the same, as well as running some bore cleaner soaked patches through the bbl, followed by a dry one. I don't take the bolt apart though...I just pull it out and clean it really good/lube. I don't even know how to remove the extractor or firing pin. I don't think I need to.

 

[jcall]

Hi conchmariner, I drench the whole bolt, bolt carrier, etc in Slip 2000 EWL for lube. You want it really "wet". This also makes it easier to clean after range trips as well.

The CLP is not bad for cleaning, but it just dried out too much inbetween range trips for me, thus it was more of a chore to clean after firing, as well as, not lubed very well.

I do use Hoppes as well for cleaning. If your bolt and bolt carrier are bad you could let them soak in Hoppes to make it easier to get the crud off. But use a good lube and lather it on keeping it "wet" is key with these rifles. FWIW, I havent taken the extractor apart, but i do take the rest of the assembly apart to clean and lube. It only takes a few seconds and to me its worth it.

I bought my AR 15 Brush kit at Cabelas. It is made by Kosso (made in the USA too) It has a brush for the upper receiver, a chamber brush, bolt carrier and bore brush.

 

[conchmariner]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Keep 'em coming! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who hasn't taken the extractor out, although I do take the bolt out of the carrier and the firing pin as well.

 

[3rd Gen Neal]

I guess I need to get busy and fig out how to take the bolt apart, I don't even know how to remove the firing pin. I'm sure I can fig it out, just haven't fooled w-it yet. Any help appreciated.

 

[29aholic]

I guess I need to get busy and fig out how to take the bolt apart, I don't even know how to remove the firing pin. I'm sure I can fig it out, just haven't fooled w-it yet. Any help appreciated.

Pull the cotter pin out of the side of the bolt carrier, tap the back of the carrier in your hand and the firing pin will come. Push the bolt in to the carrier like it would be if in battery and rotate the cam (cant do it with the firing pin in) so it clears the gas tube and pull it out through the top. You can then pull the bolt out of the carrier. If you want to remove the extractor push on the side of it with your thumb and push the retaining pin out with your firing pin. The spring is somewhat captive.

Just a friendly reminder the "gaps" in the gas rings on the bolt should not all be lined up...believe it or not I have seen people line all the gaps in a row and wonder why the rifle wont work properly.