"Dirty" AR

[BlueKnight901]

Got a question, I go quality on my new rifle tomorrow. Ive heard several guys say they keep their AR a little on the “dirty” side instead of keeping it bone clean. Any input on this? Ive had a few say their feel their rifle fires better when not totally clean.

[mxwelch]

Define "a little dirty"? The tolerances on modern weapons, especially an AR will be the most reliable when properly cleaned. That's not to say it will FTF OR FTE when dirty but...

The major areas of an AR to keep clean in no particular order are
1. Chamber. If the chamber get filthy you risk tearing a case apart trying to extract or having a rifle that could possibly fire out of battery. Brass expands when fired and too much crud in the chamber can "wedge" it into place. Lacquer coated rounds like older Wolf ammo leave deposits on the chamber when it gets hot. It must be cleaned regular.

2. Bolt face. Not a hard area to clean and you want to keep the extractor free of junk. Nothing like having to pry a round out of the chamber and wonder why. I use a pick and Q-Tips.

3. Gas system. If you use dirty ammo or have too much oil around the gas tube it'll cause blockages which will turn your rifle into a single shot. I love pipe cleaners for the tube, dry pipe cleaners.

4. Bolt Body. Too much crud will overpower a recoil spring and cause rounds to either stovepipe extracting or make you use the forward assist more than you should.

Mind you that it has to get pretty bad for what I described to happen but it's not impossible.

If you're speaking of your duty weapon the please keep it properly cleaned. It's far more important than the weekend plinker.

[frezrbrn]

welch, why dry pipe cleaners? been using a little CLP in impingment tube, never had a problem, should i stop?

[Joeyd6]

FLETC teaches the same......dry pipe cleaners in that area. Oil leeaves a coating which attracts dirt which hardens and causes problems later on.

[Johninaustin]

Seems like some folks have come up with an excuse not to clean the rifle.;)

[Hockey9019]

If its been dirty and bad, then spank it! Teach it a lesson













:eek:











I had to :p :D

[mxwelch]

welch, why dry pipe cleaners? been using a little CLP in impingment tube, never had a problem, should i stop?

Yes, for the reason Joey mentioned. Dry is a must here and the tubes are made of stainless and don't require oil.

[txinvestigator1]

Seems like some folks have come up with an excuse not to clean the rifle.;)

BINGO!

[kels]

Mines a bit dirty.

I use it to put down deer at accidents.

I promise to clean it after range next month.

[frezrbrn]

thx guys