CMMG .22 conversion kit ... What AR maintenance?

Tikka223

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I too bought a CMMG .22 conversion kit over Christmas. I have yet to use it and before I do I'm curious as to what steps if any I should be staking to make sure I don't damage my AR's gas system or barrel.

What lube do you use one the new bolt?
What ammo is best?
How fouled does the AR get?

Anything I should know about?
 
Use your regular lube and most good quality 22LR will function fine in the CMMG kit.

The kit does cause some carbon build up in the gas tube - to clear this out, just shoot a couple rounds of 223/556 with the regular BCG to clear the gas tube.
 
I find that the magwell gets quite gritty after a long shooting session. To the point that some mags won't fall free or are difficult to insert. I would make sure that you check/clean the mag well also. Not really a barrel or gas tube issue but still good to be aware of.
 
I used to have this kit, great $$ saver, and yes, definitely blow a .223/5.56 down the pipe at the end of your session to clean out your gas tube. I use G96, just because it smelled nice :)
 
Federal bulk pack 525
If you intend to use subsonic remingtons, get different springs from lakeside machine
 
Sounds good. I have a bunch of the Blazer bulk boxes on hand that run really well through my 10-22 and SIG P226. I'll see what else the local shop sells.
 
So I picked up a bulk box of Winchester white box 36gr copper plated .22lr ammo (the only copper plated .22 ammo at my local crappy tire) and I had dismal reliability. Every time I pulled the trigger when a round was chambered it went bang but it seemed like the bolt wasn't cycling far enough back to re-#### even though it was picking up a new round from the mag and chambering it. Or the trigger was not resetting properly, but I had no issues whatsoever with the 40 rounds of .223 that I had just fired through the AR.

I'm thinking it's an ammo problem. The mag seems to be functioning properly as well as the firing pin. It was -5C outside and I had lightly oiled the bolt prior to running it.

Suggestions?
 
So I picked up a bulk box of Winchester white box 36gr copper plated .22lr ammo (the only copper plated .22 ammo at my local crappy tire) and I had dismal reliability. Every time I pulled the trigger when a round was chambered it went bang but it seemed like the bolt wasn't cycling far enough back to re-#### even though it was picking up a new round from the mag and chambering it. Or the trigger was not resetting properly, but I had no issues whatsoever with the 40 rounds of .223 that I had just fired through the AR.

I'm thinking it's an ammo problem. The mag seems to be functioning properly as well as the firing pin. It was -5C outside and I had lightly oiled the bolt prior to running it.

Suggestions?

I had the same prob with winchester ammo, I've switched to Federal and it cycles fine. It also jammed up my 10/22 a lot, the ammo must be crap.
 
I've had a CMMG kit for a little over two years. It's got a bout 6-7 thousand rounds through it. It's been pretty flawless.
I'm using it in a Stag Model 2, 16" carbine.
My maintenance routine does not very much from what I do on a .223 AR.
  • Breakfree CLP is used to clean and lube the CMMG bolt (and the resat of the rifle). I do not use grease. I tried it early on and I found it retained too much debris. Any gun oil should work equally well.
  • Copper washed bullets cut down significantly on barrel leading, in my experience To remove leading I use Remington 40-X, I have not tried anything else, I barley use the stuff. I imagine most any bore cleaner or lead fouling remover would work.

I have found that Federal bulk copper washed work best, and Remington golden bullets perform about as well. The golden bullets do leave my hands covered in "glitter". I have also used Remington thunderbolts (many FTFs), Winchester wildcat (fewer FTFs) and CCI Blazer with good effect. The Federals seem to leave the least mess and are most accurate.
I have never had a stoppage with the CMMG that was due to fouling. But I've also never shot more then 525 rounds without cleaning.
The kit does cause some carbon build up in the gas tube - to clear this out, just shoot a couple rounds of 223/556 with the regular BCG to clear the gas tube.
This is recommended by CMMG and included in the instructions. Of note; beware of nearby shooters. I have a Stag muzzle break and it tends to collect fouling in the ports. Shooting a 223 will clean the break out. I have "hit" near by shooters with fouling, because the fouling leave the break perpendicular to the bore. I have not had enough fouling in the gas tube to cause a stoppage, or actually impair operation in any noticeable way.

Theses are great little kits. I strongly recommend getting a 50 round Black Dog Machine drum mag, it makes it even more fun.
DINK
 
have the kit you have, have had it for multiple years with no isse.


just dont shoot non coppoer jacketed .22 lr (unless you feel like doing uber cleans each time)

always put about 5-7 rounds of .223/5.56 through the gun after a session with .22lr to clean out the gas tube every 500 .22lr shots or so.

other then that just keep it clean.

very reliable kit
 
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