Newbie question - what to do after first time at range with new ar15

T

TDIGZ

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Hey guys,

maybe this should go to the newbie section, but i thought i might start here.

I took my new LMT (and first ar15/firearm) to the range recently. How soon after I have shot it should i clean it?

For example, if I don't clean it soon, will any residual debris (burnt powder or something) cake up in the barrell/rust it out/cause a blockage, or is it okay to wait until I put more rounds through it? (I only put 60 through it so far)

Thanks for helping out a newbie.

-T
 
One question, many answers.

You ask 10 AR owners a question, you will get 11 different answers.

I would personally look at this advice:

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=61505

I'm sure others will be along soon to give you a different answer.

Regards.

Mark
 
Depends on where you live somewhat. If you live on a coast or in Ontario with high humidity you need to get on it or you will find rust spots in places you didn't want them. I am in southern Alberta and it is almost a desert here, so rust is not my problem. I typically clean most of my guns when function or accuracy drops off, with rifles getting more attention than handguns overall. Some people clean after every range session, regardless of how many rounds were fired. For instance, my Norc M4 currently has about 1200 rounds of rimfire (CMMG conversion kit) and 100 rounds of .223 through it without a cleaning and is still shooting fine, with no leading or other gunking up of the action. YMMV.

Just keep in mind that el cheapo cleaning equipment and poor practices will cause more wear and damage than all the shooting in the world.


Mark
 
I don't like to let my AR go to sleep dirty. I usually fire 200 - 500 rounds through it every time i take it to the range. I just don't understand how you could only put 60 rounds through your AR its first time out?? That is extreme willpower. I bought a box of 500 the first time i took my Norinco to the range and ran the whole box through it. I left the range with a huge smile on my face and my pockets noticeably lighter. Have fun with your new rifle and dammit man keep shootin
 
Yeah it pretty much depends how much you "value" your rifle.

Some are anal and would clean it after 5 rounds, while others will wait until a FTF/FTE occurs.

Im in the middle. If I go more then 20 rounds I'll clean it, and then after lets say 200 rounds it'll be stripped right down and cleaned the f out of.

I tend to bring way too many guns to play with just the AR.

Also as a side note... like anything the better it is 'stored' the longer it'll last ya.

You wont do permanent damage, but it wont hurt either.

Luke
 
I put about 200 rounds down mine every range trip. For me I couldn't sleep at night knowing it went to bed dirty. Point being I think 200 rounds is significant for one session and as such it deserves some TLC after.

All that being said, its almost a 5K rifle so maby thats why I care so much. If it were a 600 dollar norc I'd shoot the #### out of it and prolly never clean it until it failed.

Good luck,
 
TDIGZ said:
Hey guys,

maybe this should go to the newbie section, but i thought i might start here.

I took my new LMT (and first ar15/firearm) to the range recently. How soon after I have shot it should i clean it?

For example, if I don't clean it soon, will any residual debris (burnt powder or something) cake up in the barrell/rust it out/cause a blockage, or is it okay to wait until I put more rounds through it? (I only put 60 through it so far)

Thanks for helping out a newbie.

-T
Click to expand...

You should, without a doubt, go back to the range and shoot it again and again and again! 60 rounds is most certianly not enough!!
Scott
 
I have an M16A4 clone that I punish to no end. At the range, you could cook an egg on the barrel she gets so hot. She can go anywhere between 200 and 1000+ rounds before any cleaning. I've never had a failure of any kind with her.

Your LMT would fall into this catagory. Its a shooter, not a safe queen. Your LMT is ready for anything you can throw at it.

I have some precision AR-15 uppers (stainless steel barrels) that get treated with kid gloves. I never let the barrels get hot, or even that warm. I clean them after every shoot.

In my mind an AR-15 with a chrome lined barrel, like your LMT, isn't even broken in until it has at least 2000 rounds through it.

AR's were made to shoot. Don't get too wrapped up with cleaning unless it's a precision stainless steel barrel.

Your LMT is beckoning you to shoot 30 thousand rounds through her. It's what she wants.
 
Last edited:
AR-15's built to milspec do not need cleaning all that often unless you fire corrosive ammo and I don't even know if there's any in .223 or 5.56 NATO. The upper and lower receivers are aluminum, so no rust. The gas tube is stainless, not rust proof but next best thing. The hard chrome in the barrel will not rust either. So the only worry is the outside of the barrel, which is also treated for corrosion and the BCG. The seals swim with them in salt water and I doubt they break them up to clean them before going into a firefight or sit and clean them afterwards while still in "indian country". Don't worry, be happy and shoot the thing, keep it well lubed and it will last you a very long time.
 
Run it wet with Slip 2000 EWL and forget about it.

If it has been used in the rain I run an oily patch thru the bore and pull it apart to let it air dry for a couple hours.
A quick wipe with an oily rag before putting it together, a function test, in the locker, bam done.
I have brushed the barrel maybe 4-6 times in the last 12k rnds but that is a guilt thing while inspecting for wear more than a need thing. Hell my bolt carrier has not come apart since last June.
People should remember they are built to survive outside with minimal cleaning for years at a time. Morons with dental picks and oven cleaner are doing it wrong and are usually causing problems.
 
GunGuy34 said:
whats so funny? You dont check your barrel before firing, you would just pick up any gun and fire? Barrels can get leaded after prolonged use without cleaning is all. For the time it takes id clean it.
Click to expand...

I always check a gun before firing.

Are you suggesting a barrel can become so "leaded: a bullet can't pass though it?

Chuckle!

Tell me exactly what you are saying. I want to hear your exact argument.

My girlfriend is beside me laughing at you right now.

Go!
 
GunGuy34 said:
whats so funny? You dont check your barrel before firing, you would just pick up any gun and fire? Barrels can get leaded after prolonged use without cleaning is all. For the time it takes id clean it.
Click to expand...

What?
Who runs lead bullets through their AR?

You can check the bore when you put the carrier in the rifle at the range.
 
smak_daddy said:
I always check a gun before firing.

Are you suggesting a barrel can become so "leaded: a bullet can't pass though it?

Chuckle!

Tell me exactly what you are saying. I want to hear your exact argument.

My girlfriend is beside me laughing at you right now.

Go!
Click to expand...

lets see a pic of the girlfriend and forget what i was saying :D


I just cleaned mine after every range use, im no expert like yourself though.
 
Miltiades said:
AR-15's built to milspec do not need cleaning all that often unless you fire corrosive ammo and I don't even know if there's any in .223 or 5.56 NATO. The upper and lower receivers are aluminum, so no rust. The gas tube is stainless, not rust proof but next best thing. The hard chrome in the barrel will not rust either. So the only worry is the outside of the barrel, which is also treated for corrosion and the BCG. The seals swim with them in salt water and I doubt they break them up to clean them before going into a firefight or sit and clean them afterwards while still in "indian country". Don't worry, be happy and shoot the thing, keep it well lubed and it will last you a very long time.
Click to expand...

Cleaning an AR is more about carbon fouling than corrosion. The carbon fouling will result in failures.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom