Cleaning

[Mots0311]

Hey all, I'm new here and am really enjoying the info. I finally got me an AR after being out of the Marines and not shooting a rifle for 16 years. It was great and everything came back to me as if I never been away from the range.
I picked up a bottle of CLP cleaner/lube, this is what I used in the Marines and all I know. I would just use this stuff like crazy scrubbing my rifle along with bore punch and pads. I'm assuming there are better alternatives, I've seen the bore snake and some bore cleaners in an aerosol can but dont know much about them. What are you all using out there?

 

[MPDC]

Lots of folks like Frog Lube and Gunzilla. Both are CLP types but are non toxic and easier on the hands and nose.

Bore snakes are great, IMHO and save lots of time and energy.

FrogLube HomePage ~ It Just Works!

 

[Dragon88]

I would avoid using the GI steel cleaning rods, those are horrible for barrels. Other than that, the process you are using from your time in the military is fine! There are lots of expensive products and time-savers out there, but millions of AR cleanings have been done by service members with nothing more than CLP and patches.

 

[Mots0311]

Ok great! I always had a hunch that the steel cleaning rod would be hard on a barrel, and yeah CLP does have a rather distinct odor. There was always the rumor that it had cancer causing chemicals. I'm going to try out that bore snake. Happiness is a clean rifle.

 

[kbm6893]

Bore snakes are great, but they are no substitute for a rod and a brush. They're good to give a quick swipe of the barrel with at the range before you go home to remove the worst of the lead and crud while the gun is still warm. I use mine as "finish-uppers". I thorugh cleaning with brush and patched, followed by a final swipe with a dry boresnake. I also like the "chamber stars". They're patches cut in the shape of the chamber to swab out the dirt.