First AR, prep for first trip to range, how much to clean?

[Tigershooter]

Hello! New here and first post. Just bought this rifle. How thorough a cleaning does a new 15-22 need before first trip to the range? I figure the grease needs to go. I had imagined the trusty Hoppe cleaning rod with some solvent and a brush coupled with removing the bolt and charging handle and wiping them down would be sufficient. Any do’s and don’ts to share? Anywhere on this rifle to avoid getting solvents or lube? Thanks in advance.

 

[Buccaneer]

You’re pretty much on it.

 

[lkabug]

I believe you got It covered.
Welcome from the Commonwealth of Virginia

 

[Ribwizzard]

Yes, clean the bore, pull out the bolt carrier group and lube it up and get it moving freely, new ones can be a bit stiff. Might want to check your gas rings and make sure the gaps are not lined up.Then put 'er together and go blast away.

 

[Ricrock]

15-22 doesn't have any gas rings

 

[Kayback]

15-22 doesn't have any gas rings

And even if they did the gas rings can align without any adverse effect in a real AR15.

 

[Tigershooter]

Thanks for the warm welcome and advice everyone!

 

[Riverboys]

I'm no expert, but when I got my Ruger AR 556, it seemed well oiled out of the box so I just shot it.

 

[Destructo6]

Take care with the ejector rod/hook, especially if you clean with a BoreSnake or similar.

Some guys will put a plastic straw over it to keep the loop in the Snake from catching the ejector. I just put my finger over the end of the ejector until the loop clears.

Any solvent that doesn't play well with plastic should be avoided, of course. I'll generally use a clp type to clean: if i don't clean it all up, just extra lube.