How often should I clean my AR after shooting?
- Thread starter Alfonso
- Start date
FWIW, I posted this earlier in a different thread. Works well for my ARs as well.
Re: CLP - it is a compromise, as are most all in one solutions, but it does the job acceptably well and is convenient. Personally, I use it almost exclusively (along with gun grease for specific applications, where necessary) and have run up a couple of thousand rounds on a few firearms with no ill effects. YMMV.
Perhaps the US Army AR15 Manual would be of assistance in establishing a cleaning regimen. Pages 66 and 68 talk about CLP in particular, for those interested.
Typically,
1.A field strip, clean and lube every 3 months or 500 rounds - whichever comes first. Spend 5-10 mins tops per firearm. Inspect springs and wear components for excessive wear.
2. Detail strip, clean and lube once every year or 2500 rounds - whichever comes first. Approx 45 mins to an hour per firearm. Also the time I inspect each component thoroughly, and replace as necessary.
3. For firearms shooting corrosive ammo I clean thoroughly after each range trip.
4. Most firearm contact surfaces get a drop of lube/grease (as necessary) and a a quick function check at the range prior to loading ammo. 30 seconds to a minute/ firearm.
None of my firearms spend extended time in the safe so this cleaning schdule works for me. I've actually made a Level 4 P3 schedule for my cleanings and replacement intervals
Re: CLP - it is a compromise, as are most all in one solutions, but it does the job acceptably well and is convenient. Personally, I use it almost exclusively (along with gun grease for specific applications, where necessary) and have run up a couple of thousand rounds on a few firearms with no ill effects. YMMV.
Perhaps the US Army AR15 Manual would be of assistance in establishing a cleaning regimen. Pages 66 and 68 talk about CLP in particular, for those interested.
Well I have been in the Army for 14 years for that entire time we have used CLP or some version of it to maintain our weapons. I always clean my AR and never have had a problem with it getting loose or anything. Could be the Army driven into me but I ALWAYS clean my AR after shooting it. I will reapply CLP and reclean a rifle that has been sitting in my safe for a while. CLP will suck every bit of carbon out of the cracks everywhere so you can clean and do nothing and a month later clean again and it will be dirty. I like CLP is their better stuff out there, maybe. However I think few people shoot more then the military does and if CLP is good enough for them it is good enough for me.
Wierd
Funny - It seems like posters are arguing that CLP is not the best or not good -
Unless a post was removed - I couldnt find ANYTHING that argued it was.
What was clear was that you could use anything, with several posters for several reasons, liking CLP.
Hmmmmmmmmmm-------
Funny - It seems like posters are arguing that CLP is not the best or not good -
Unless a post was removed - I couldnt find ANYTHING that argued it was.
What was clear was that you could use anything, with several posters for several reasons, liking CLP.
Hmmmmmmmmmm-------
This is very true the military doesn't always use the priciest stuff, however, they are huge into preventive maintenance. IF CLP allowed weapons to wear significantly I can assure you it would not be used. I have personally cleaned the 25mm Bushmaster and we use CLP. It is also used on 105mm on Tanks for that matter. To adress your last point specifically "Good for a bunch of stuff seldom means great at any one thing, and the discussion is about lube specifically..." a lot of what is advertised is something that the oil does anyway. Motor oil has detergent in it and we all use it in our vehicles, it also lubricates an protects from rusting, but that is what oil does. Everyone has seen a Palmolive comercial where they put a drop of soap in greasy water and it sends it running to the sides, That is what soap does, ANY Soap. Palmolive was just smart enough to put it on TV first. SO CLP the bunch of stuff that it does is a property of the OIL itself and witty marketing it is not made as a do all it just does it because that is what oil does. That being said I am sure it has extra additives for heat and to keep carbon captured. Other then that it is doing what it does so why do you need 5 different things to clean your rifle when 1 works and works well? You do know the trick of successful business is to keep your customer buying. If you can convince them to buy more for no real reason then that increases the bottom line but doesn't make it nessesarily great for the customer. Personally if my rifle is carboned up I use Brake Cleaner Works AWESOME for removing Carbon just make sure you relube because it takes all that out too...
I give mine a quick field strip cleaning at the range after shooting. I do this with all my guns at the range. Only takes a few minutes. I also exclusively use CLP for my AR.
If you keep the BCG lubed though, I have seen AR's run several thousand rounds between a thorough cleaning.
If you keep the BCG lubed though, I have seen AR's run several thousand rounds between a thorough cleaning.
Danimal247
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toronto, ON
I clean all of my guns after I go to the range...every one of them is spotless when it's stored in my safe
mudgunner49
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
You're not wrong, and I never said it didn't do an "OK" job. If I had a dollar for every quart of CLP I've slopped into C1/C3/M109 howitzers, as well as a myriad of small arms belonging to the Queen, I could make a couple of mortgage payments...
CarbineOne
Regular
That'd be you, I suppose.
Finally a man who respects his firearms for what they are. Precision instruments deserve special attention, and its always nice to ride her hard but put her back clean.
You suppose incorrectly
No argument in my posts - (if you read the entire post rather than a partial out of context phrase)
CLP is neither a poor lubricant nor the best lubricant -
But it does do the job, and does stuff other high lubricity lubes dont -
No argument in my posts - (if you read the entire post rather than a partial out of context phrase)
CLP is neither a poor lubricant nor the best lubricant -
But it does do the job, and does stuff other high lubricity lubes dont -
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No argument in my posts - (if you read the entire post rather than a partial out of context phrase)
CLP is neither a poor lubricant nor the best lubricant -
But it does do the job, and does stuff other high lubricity lubes dont -
You're right, it dries out and burns out quickly.
Not in our experience -
It is designed to dry, and impregnate the metal with the teflon like goop to increase lubricity in dry environments (without liquid to attract the talcum sand in our present combat environement) [read previous posts].
It doesn't burn out quickly - it stays and keeps things slick! -
It does however lose its ability to put crystalized carbon into suspension for blowing out the ejection port when it dries.
Thats why you reapply - lube and cleaning with one squirt !
Easy peasy ( all in the original U.S. army testing reports that led to adoption [not price] ) - (re read early previous posts if comprehension is still an issue) -
always
For some a firearm is an object of worship ( thats ok by the way ).
For others its also always nice to ride her hard, put her away dirty and know she will ride hard again and again - no matter how dirty !
Perfect for combat -
For some a firearm is an object of worship ( thats ok by the way ).
For others its also always nice to ride her hard, put her away dirty and know she will ride hard again and again - no matter how dirty !
Perfect for combat -
Not in our experience -
It is designed to dry, and impregnate the metal with the teflon like goop to increase lubricity in dry environments (without liquid to attract the talcum sand in our present combat environement) [read previous posts].
It doesn't burn out quickly - it stays and keeps things slick! -
It does however lose its ability to put crystalized carbon into suspension for blowing out the ejection port when it dries.
Thats why you reapply - lube and cleaning with one squirt !
Easy peasy ( all in the original U.S. army testing reports that led to adoption [not price] ) - (re read early previous posts if comprehension is still an issue) -
(CLP 101)
This right there is 100% bulls**t. The same bulls**t that results in malfunctions on the two way range and has already cost too many lives. Lube isn't a magical sand magnet like so many Einsteins teach soldiers in Afghanistan, sand gets in your weapon ANYWAY, and is the very reason you should put MORE lube than normal. No weapon should ever be dry in the sandbox, period.
And no, nobody has comprehension issues with your previous posts, we're not retarded.
You sir have too much time on your hands...
Cleaning guns is over rated... Sure a good way to spend time with 'em, but...
I can't remember the last time I "cleaned" any of my AR's.
'Last match was in a very dusty local so that AR might get a little TLC before the next match, but really.. It's a tool. If it don't work dirty it's a piece o' crap.
#1bcshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- North Of The DMZ (US border)
According to the US Army you don't have to clean them .They didn't even issue cleaning kits with them .
Of course Vietnam changed there thinking .
Why anyone would put away a dirty gun is beyond me. IMO Cleaning the irons after a day of fun is part of the experience.
I won't comment on your retardation, comprehension or lack thereof - but keep my comment on track -
Troopies in the sandbox have been using dry lubes because of the talcum powder sand as well as everything else !
Many of my troopies run dry and clean after CLP seasoning (a bit of graphite type powder lube) or just a tiny bit of grease on the contact points, and some - lots of CLP - It tends to depend on the unit, whats available, and the A.O.
Dry and clean is also popular in the arctic.
And you are correct - the sand does get in no matter what the troopies do -
