New to AR's? Here are some tools I use to clean.

Excellent and informative post......just ordered a Talon field cleaning duo. Been looking all over for just the right tool to clean out the lugs and BCG innards, and this looks like it! Thanks......
 
Wow! This is one of the most useful threads for the newbie (me!) that I've seen. Thanks to all that have posted. I salute you!
 
In the next couple weeks, I plan to take my on-again/off-again cleaning OCD to the next level.

ultrasoniccleaner.jpg


2.5L Ultrasonic Cleaner!

I'm hoping to quickly clean a ...

Disassembled AR bolt, Ruger MKIII bolt, 15-22 Bolt, Ruger 10/22 bolt, small parts, maybe even a stripped 1911 frame...

I also have a different problem. I don't reload, yet I pick up my brass at the range and whatever abandoned brass strays into my immediate area. I've got some brass that needs cleaning.

Hopefully it will fit into my motto, "Work smarter, not harder."
 
Very good thread! I've got the full Otis kit with all the scrapers and brushes and whatnot, but that BCG tool looks mighty useful - I'll have to pick one up
 
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Just got my Talon Field Cleaning kit yesterday - my BCG and lug recess have not been as clean since my rifle was brand new. :D
Expensive but well worth it in the long run.
 
I discovered yesterday..running the Mobil 1 I didnt have near the carbon build up that I expected to find during an extensive disassemble and what was there cleaned right up pretty effortlessly.
 
I finally got around to acquiring a Chicago Electric Ultrasonic Cleaner. I purchased it at Harbor Freight Tools. It was on sale, and I stacked a 20% off coupon. :D

I didn't do any shooting today, so I didn't use it to clean any firearms parts. I did experiment with once fired brass. The brass definitely comes out better than it went in. The brass comes out clean, but not 100% shiny & polished.

At this point, I think it might be good to start to reload but I'm not 100% certain. I'm not a reloader. To get it nice and polished, I'd need to acquire a media tumbler.

I think the ultrasonic cleaner will make quick work of cleaning & degreasing any metal part I put in there. Until I ascertain the differences in cleaning solutions, no aluminum parts go in the cleaner.
 
I just ordered the talon cleaning kit. It includes the Talon Scraper and the C.A.T. M4 in a little pouch and saves a little money....Finally found them, now I am responsible for the maintenance of 2 it will save me time. Thanks for the reference.
 
Pipe cleaners - gas tube and BCG key
q-tips - trigger group

And lately I've discovered compressed air to blow **** out of the trigger mechanism.
 
It's been a while. I forgot about this thread, then it pooped up as a "notable thread" and got referenced in a few others.

The Chicago Electric ultra sonic cleaner makes quick work of degreasing & cleaning the entire BCG. I strip & clean the BCG with my tools. I then put the parts into the Ultrasonic.

Wow. Grease & oil immediately dissolve off the part into the cleaning solution. The ultrasonic also gets into little areas my tools can't reach.

It works so well that I'm using the ultrasonic for deep cleaning disassembled firearms.
 
JaPes,

You put together a nice list of cleaning tools, should help lots of people.

The carrier scraper tool end of the CAT 4 though, they stole my idea :)

I've been using my own "carrier scraper" tool for about 25 years, looks a lot like the carrier scraper tool end of the CAT 4. Machined it from a piece of steel myself many years ago. On the opposite end of my own DIY tool is a curved corner that fits the curve in the bolt that performs the same function as the bolt scraper tool end of the CAT 4. Guess i'll drill a hole in mine now for the firing pin :)
 
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JaPes said:
It's been a while. I forgot about this thread, then it pooped up as a "notable thread" and got referenced in a few others.

The Chicago Electric ultra sonic cleaner makes quick work of degreasing & cleaning the entire BCG. I strip & clean the BCG with my tools. I then put the parts into the Ultrasonic.

Wow. Grease & oil immediately dissolve off the part into the cleaning solution. The ultrasonic also gets into little areas my tools can't reach.

It works so well that I'm using the ultrasonic for deep cleaning disassembled firearms.
Click to expand...
What cleaning agent are you using in the ultrasonic tank?
 
Hello and thanks for the valuable information. You listed tools that I didn't know existed. Like the question from Jim Sebring above me, I'd also like to know what solvent you are using in the ultrasonic tank. Also, how much lube do you use on the BCG? Does it need to be really lubed up or just a little? What about gun grease instead of oil? Thanks again...
 
N7BLW said:
What cleaning agent are you using in the ultrasonic tank?
Click to expand...

panhandle_gunslinger said:
Hello and thanks for the valuable information. You listed tools that I didn't know existed. Like the question from Jim Sebring above me, I'd also like to know what solvent you are using in the ultrasonic tank. Also, how much lube do you use on the BCG? Does it need to be really lubed up or just a little? What about gun grease instead of oil? Thanks again...
Click to expand...

I've been experimenting with combinations of home made ultrasonic brews.

  • Hot water + simple green + dish washing soap.
  • Hot water + simple green + vinegar.
  • Hot water + vinegar + lemon juice.

If I'm using an acidic solution, I neutralize with a dunk in water/baking soda solution. So far, I like the first combo. Works on gun parts & spent cases.

As for lube, I've tried a bunch of different products. I've used light oils, heavier oil, synthetic motor oil, hi-temp bearing grease, copper/graphite grease.

IMO, use whatever lube you want. Just make sure that you lube the BCG real well. Also, pay attention to any witness marks on the charging handle & upper receiver. Lube where you see witness marks.

If I'm storing the rifle, I'll lightly coat the BCG, chamber, & bore with lube for protection. When I'm going to go to the range, I'll spritz the BCG with lube. I'll also swab out the chamber & pull a patch through the bore to remove any excess oil.

NOW FOR PURE OPINION.

There are three lubes that I think do the job.
  • Breakfree CLP
  • Ballistol
  • Mobil 1 Synthetic Motor Oil

Breakfree CLP & Ballistol are available in aerosol cans. If your AR starts running dry at the range, pull the BCG, squirt it down, reinstall. Good to go. I've used both. I've switched to Ballistol. I use it to clean & lube. It saves time. The more I use Ballistol in a bore, the easier it becomes to clean the bore.

Mobil 1 is always good because you can buy a quart for less than the price of a few ounces firearms branded oil.
 
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JaPes - PRIME THREAD !! Just made a couple additions to MY shopping list. Don't have a 'black rifle', yet. Reloading is the cheapest way to shoot-a-lot. I've been reloading for an old Hand Ejector for years and have found a couple "pet loads". Load #1 is for target shooting, load #2 is for hunting and 'home defense'. "Back-up" comes in size 9.
 
Excellent thread. I saw a couple things to add to the cleaning kit, too. Something that I have found useful for detail cleaning in general is wooden chop sticks and BBQ skewers, whittled to different point shapes for cleaning different areas, with or without cloth patches. Cheap, disposable and don't scratch anything.
 
So, anyone have any recommendations for the bore snake and how to clean it? Ive had mine for a couple years? Dishwasher, laundry, by hand??
 
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