Cleaning tools

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Pinger5.56

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Looking for any advice in cleaning tools used on the M&P15 platform. Also what are some of the better lubes out there for this weapon. Thank you
 
Pinger5.56 said:
Looking for any advice in cleaning tools used on the M&P15 platform. Also what are some of the better lubes out there for this weapon. Thank you
Click to expand...

I wrote up this one a while back that covers tools.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...8269-new-ars-here-some-tools-i-use-clean.html

The question of which is a better lube or preferable lube will return you a whole different bunch of answers based upon opinions from personal use. In the years I've been here, there has been no consensus on the lube subject nor will there ever be.

Lube for an AR-15 can run from basic synthetic Mobil 1 which can be had by the quart and last for years, to the expensive lubes that must be applied using a mystical ritual. I've seen lube of various liquid viscosity and grease. I think I've tried almost all of them at one point with the exception of frog lube.

My experience led me to my opinion and preference for one of three:

  1. Breakfree CLP
  2. Mobil 1 Synthetic
  3. Ballistol

The next question usually is how much lube do I use because I hear AR's like to be run "wet". This is another question where there is no consensus. Some run their AR's dripping wet. Some run with a very thin film of lube. Some run in between. You're going to have to give it a try to discover which one you prefer.

My opinion from my experience:

  • A light coat of lube works. Less to get slung around and attract debris.
  • When storing the rifle, I swab the chamber with a light coat of oil to protect it. I also run a lube moistened patch down the bore.
  • Before going to the range, I will swab out the chamber with a dry patch to remove any excess lube. I will pull a dry patch down the bore to remove excess lube.

A part of the fun of AR-15 ownership is figuring out for yourself the lube question. ;) Good luck!
 
There are plenty out there just start buying and keep using the one's you like best. Boresnake, Otis cleaning kit, KZ CRT Carbon Removal Tool, AR-15 CAT M-4/Talon Field Kit, Dewey Rifle Lug Recess and Chamber Cleaning Kit, Tipton one piece Deluxe Carbon Fiber Cleaning Rods, Gunslick AR-15 Bore Guide.

I have them all and depending on where I'm at or how well I'm cleaning at the time is which I chose to use. You can't beat CLP but use what you like.

I agree with uncledoggle it's gonna be a long day. You could also use the search engine and get more info.
 
Don't let these grumps get to ya. Go ahead and ask any question you like.

Personally, I got one like this for cleaning the bore of my ARs:
230%20-%20MFG-556-45%20(display)_Normal.jpg


I only use the brush and cable out of the kit though. I use a foaming bore scrubber. It makes cleaning the bore, every 500 rounds or so, really easy. Then I just use rags and whatever cleaner is handy.

For lube I like Slip 2000. Non-toxic, doesn't seem to attract dirt and no smell.
 
JaPes said:
My experience led me to my opinion and preference for one of three:

  1. Breakfree CLP
  2. Mobil 1 Synthetic
  3. Ballistol
Click to expand...

Not arguing, simply curious...Why the Mobile 1 Synthetic when one of your preferences is CLP, which includes a very good (I'm told) lubricant?
 
bhayles said:
Not arguing, simply curious...Why the Mobile 1 Synthetic when one of your preferences is CLP, which includes a very good (I'm told) lubricant?
Click to expand...


Because in my experience they all do the same thing.

CLP = no brainer.

Ballistol = for those that want a food grade non toxic clean/lube/protect

Mobil 1 Synthetic = cheapest by volume, one quart lasts a lifetime.
 
Now I'm at a real keyboard...

If using Mobil 1 Synthetic as lube, I use Hoppes No.9 cleaning solvent. CLP and Ballistol clean and lube at the same time, but Ballistol needs more dwell time on the surfaces to be cleaned.

I also clean my firearms after every range trip. I'm not one to let them stay dirty.
 
JaPes list is very good and I won't add anything to it, but let me expand on his choices from my point of view.

CLP is very good, however to both clean and lubricate there has to be a little give and take in both departments. Probably the best solution for the range bag.

Ballistoll falls into this same category.

As for Mobil1, it is an absolutely fantastic lubricant. A little goes a long way, so for the same $7 or $8 you spend on a small 4 oz bottle of "gun oil", you can get an entire quart of Mobil 1. Synthetics are great mainly because they aren't adversely affected by heat, so your lube continues to lubricate rather than bake into carbon on your bolt. Since Synthetics bond to metal at the molecular level, there's lubrication even when the surface appears relatively dry. Also, since a light wipe down is all that's needed, you're not providing a lot of moisture to attract and hold dirt and debris.

The down side to having an outstanding lubricant, is you will need a separate cleaning solution, like Hoppe's #9 or something similar. For a quick cleaning at the range, some have even used non-chlorinated brake cleaner. It easily blast the crud out of the nooks and cranny's. Add some fresh lube and continue shooting.
 
Thanks for all the replies, did not know this was such a sketchy subject. I have just found FP-10 lubricant elite, protects from -49 degrees to 500 degrees F. So far I like it. I know I am going to get flack for this but I also use Rem oil by Remington. I think it cleans well. I only use it for cleaning , I wipe down all my firearms after cleaning then use the FP-10. I got that FP-10 at my local gun store, the guy there said he uses it in his AR's.
I never really thought about automotive engine oil. Again thanks to all that replied.
 
Pinger5.56 said:
Thanks for all the replies, did not know this was such a sketchy subject. I have just found FP-10 lubricant elite, protects from -49 degrees to 500 degrees F. So far I like it. I know I am going to get flack for this but I also use Rem oil by Remington. I think it cleans well. I only use it for cleaning , I wipe down all my firearms after cleaning then use the FP-10. I got that FP-10 at my local gun store, the guy there said he uses it in his AR's.

I never really thought about automotive engine oil. Again thanks to all that replied.
Click to expand...


If Rem Oil works for you, then keep on using it.
 
JaPes said:
I think I've tried almost all of them at one point with the exception of frog lube.
Click to expand...

Why not frog lube too? You try every other gee-whiz, golly that's neat! thing you can get your hands on for your AR!!!...:D

Seriously though, I have a slightly off topic question that is at least a little related...

Accessories for the AR are easily sourced, and the actual cleaning products (CLP, Hoppes 9, patches, Bore Snake, basic cleaning kit, Mobile 1 Synthetic) are easily gotten at a good price with no shipping. I got all of the above at my WalMart without ewven having to walk far...at my WalMart Sporting Goods and Automotive are next to each other, and all of the above was within 15 ft of each other, BUT...

Then there are the tools...

Is there a single source for the AR "stuff", none of which costrs much except for when you add seperste shipping for each thing...buffer tube wrench from one place, armorers tool from another, upper vise block, lower vise block, set of tiny screwdrivers/torx tips (damn that Magpul BAD lever has a tiny screw!), etc, etc, etc...

Is there a good, reasonably priced, "one stop shop" for everything AR except the AR itself?

EDIT: And let's not forget those sorta odd tools, JePas, like that nifty bolt/firing pin cleaning tool.
 
Last edited:
Just ordered the Otis FG-556 MSR kit. I have heard a lot of good things about it so I ordered one from Amazon. Also ordered a bottle of CLP, never used it but it sounded like a good all purpose product.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1399906663.602604.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1399906670.568481.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
bhayles said:
Is there a good, reasonably priced, "one stop shop" for everything AR except the AR itself?

EDIT: And let's not forget those sorta odd tools, JePas, like that nifty bolt/firing pin cleaning tool.
Click to expand...
No, there isn't a "one stop shop" that has the best prices for everything. However, there are three that I use a lot:

Midway USA
Brownell's
Amazon

If one of those doesn't have the AR nick-nack you're looking for, it probably doesn't exist. Each of them will have the best price on something.

Some other good places to look are:
Botach Tactical- they have free shipping all the time.
LA Police Gear- constantly have some kind of sale.
Palmetto State Armory- They have good prices on a lot of parts and always have sales.

There is almost an infinite number of places. As you know, the internet is your friend. Personally, I've given up on trying to eek out that last dollar. I'll have to save more than $10 on something before I'll deviate from a source I'm comfortable with. And, I'll have to save more than $50 before I'll buy on the internet vs a local place.
 
ARs are usually pretty resilient and will continue to function regardless of what magic lube is used. :D
 
Geez, so much stuff! Bone and Cat tools, scrapers, the list goes on and on. All I use is Hoppes 9, CLP, small rag, a boresnake and some Gun Butter. Done in 10-15 minutes. No muss, no fuss. BCG is clean as a whistle with the wipe of a rag.

But then mine is a piston gun..........
 
The Amazon link had a video. Can't tell how good the Otis Bone tool is, the guy was demoing it on a NiBx BCG. :)

IMO, go get that Otis Kit. The Bone tool looks like it does the same thing as the CAT M4, and I love the entire flexible rod cleaning kit.
 
Reviews are mixed on the Bone tool - some say it doesn't work very well, some say it works fine. It won a product award this year so I imagine it must be decent at the very least. But the CAT tool works for me, along with a bore brush and mop, and a snake. :).
 
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