Detail Cleaning

[unshelledpilot]

Hello all,

I've owned my AR for over 3 years now, I've shot about 8-10k rounds through it and I've thoroughly field stripped and cleaned it after most every use. Over time, I've noticed little nooks and crannies that I just can't get to and I had a thought. Why don't I completely disassemble it and clean it? My question is has anyone been in a similar situation? My intent is to pull every pin and piece off, inspect, clean, and replace parts as needed.

Thoughts?

Thanks
Pilot

 

[Tydeeh22]

A dental pick set is your friend. Along with the star chamber cleaning patches. Other than that. The grime adds character.

 

[USMC-Johnson]

A ultrasonic cleaner might be a good investment

 

[sloughfoot]

Can't hurt. I have never been driven to do this, but I cannot fault you for wanting to.

I get bored and do things to my guns all the time.

 

[M67]

Why are you so determined to get it spotless?

Just lube it and it'll run

 

[Rooze1986]

I have seen the ultrasonic cleaning service in a few gun shops and wondered about the necessity. I have probably put ~1000 rounds through mr SR9 with just field stripping and cleaning without any hitches.

 

[MAJB Retired]

If you can't get to it, it doesn't need cleaning. I spent 20 years in the Army, and 16's I used never failed, and all we did was a field strip and lube.

 

[unshelledpilot]

A ultrasonic cleaner might be a good investment

I have a small hornady cleaner. Not nearly big enough for rifle barrels.

 

[unshelledpilot]

Why are you so determined to get it spotless?

Just lube it and it'll run

It's partly wanting to clean it, partly inspecting it. From time to time I see spots that look like rust, buy I can't be sure until I pull off the pieces and check all contact points.

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

I like to use the dental-type picks, but I also have a couple of other home-made picks, one with about a 1/6 " flat tip and a similar one with a flat rounded tip for detail cleaning. I like to use those with pieces of patch material to get into the tight spots.

I've used the spray-blast cleaners on trigger groups and things, but I didn't like the film that was left, so now I'll go at those parts with a brush with Hoppes on it, and then after wiping it off, I take it outside and blast with WD-40 to blow out the Hoppes and leftover gunk. Then you can shake it off, dry it, and re-oil.

 

[SILVERBACK]

CLP, Chamber brush, Boresnake and the air compressor set at about 180 psi.

 

[SILVERBACK]

Almost forgot [ a old pair of underwear with no elastic left ] for the final wipe down.

 

[saleen4971]

ive done it before. actually, every firearm i purchase (new, used, milsurp) gets a complete tear down, clean and lube before it is ever fired.

if you feel like doing it, go right ahead. wont hurt it, unless you break something!

 

[unshelledpilot]

ive done it before. actually, every firearm i purchase (new, used, milsurp) gets a complete tear down, clean and lube before it is ever fired.

if you feel like doing it, go right ahead. wont hurt it, unless you break something!

I do have a tendency to bend barrels, bugs bunny style.

 

[bwframe]

Almost forgot [ a old pair of underwear with no elastic left ] for the final wipe down.

Dave? You've come back to life?
I had a friend that was always using old underwear as rags. You could always find underwear left in the oddest of places where he had been.

 

[IndyGunworks]

5 gallon bucket, 1 gallon of diesel and some brushes.... You can do 99 percent cleanings w/out the worry of loosing small parts.... Just lube back up after its dry.

 

[Bennettjh]

I've done this before. Is it necessary? Not sure. Give me peace of mind? Yep.

If you feel like doing it, go ahead. Watch those detents. Those puppies will fly!