Bore cleaning on ar

[MoJo]

A new barrel needs to be cleaned after each 10-20 rounds for the first 100 rounds.

Wet a patch with a good bore solvent ie. Hoppe's #9 or similar, push it through the bore from the breech to muzzle allow the solvent a few minutes to work then put several dry patches through until you get little or no "crud" on your patch. I usually use another patch with Hoppes on it if I'm storing the gun oil will be good for storage too. Before shooting, put a dry patch or two through the bore to remove the oil/cleaner will give you better first round accuracy.

Do not shoot rapid fire or a large volume of ammo without cleaning your barrel like this for the first 100 rounds. After a large volume of rounds (100+) more serious cleaning methods are recommended. This is where a bronze bore brush comes into use.

There are several schools of thought about the usage of a bore brush, one says a dry brush followed by solvent on a patch, another says a wet brush followed by dry patches. If your bore solvent has copper removing chemicals DO NOT WET YOUR BRONZE BRUSH. Bronze is an alloy of copper. A non copper removing solvent is OK to wet the brush with. There is no danger from the use of a bronze or nylon bore brush stainless steel should be used only for very difficult deposits and with extreme care.

A one piece coated cleaning rod is a great investment, as is a bore guide. I love a Boresnake, but it does not take the place of a proper cleaning with a rod, brush and patches.

For AR 15 rifles a chamber brush is a necessary cleaning too. A dirty chamber and dirty locking lug recessed account for more malfunctions with AR pattern rifles than anything else.

Enjoy your new rifle.

[MechAg94]

I have never heard of wetting a brush. Wet and dry patches, but not a wet brush.

I bought a Rock River match stainless barreled upper a while back. They told me there is no break in procedure, just start shooting and enjoy it. Barrel break procedures vary widely. I would think a using a bore snake every so many rounds at first would be the easiest thing to do and would effectively remove any debris from the barrel if needed. I think it all depends on how they make the barrel and how it is treated afterward. I think there are things they can do to the barrels now that effectively remove the sharp edges and such that a break-in might take care of.

[MoJo]

I have never heard of wetting a brush. Wet and dry patches, but not a wet brush.

I bought a Rock River match stainless barreled upper a while back. They told me there is no break in procedure, just start shooting and enjoy it. Barrel break procedures vary widely. I would think a using a bore snake every so many rounds at first would be the easiest thing to do and would effectively remove any debris from the barrel if needed. I think it all depends on how they make the barrel and how it is treated afterward. I think there are things they can do to the barrels now that effectively remove the sharp edges and such that a break-in might take care of.

I'm an old dinosaur I've been shooting for 60+ years, using a wet bore brush was a common practice years ago. I guess my age is showing.

[JSThane]

I have never heard of wetting a brush. Wet and dry patches, but not a wet brush.

I bought a Rock River match stainless barreled upper a while back. They told me there is no break in procedure, just start shooting and enjoy it. Barrel break procedures vary widely. I would think a using a bore snake every so many rounds at first would be the easiest thing to do and would effectively remove any debris from the barrel if needed. I think it all depends on how they make the barrel and how it is treated afterward. I think there are things they can do to the barrels now that effectively remove the sharp edges and such that a break-in might take care of.

I'm an old dinosaur I've been shooting for 60+ years, using a wet bore brush was a common practice years ago. I guess my age is showing.

Not really. On the rare occasions I do send a cleaning rod through my rifles or pistols, I run a wet brush through, to really help break any gunk loose. It's kinda like putting soap on a scrubbie pad while doing the dishes, in my mind. But again, it's rare that I do this; mainly only if I'm putting the gun away for long-term storage, or just pulling it back out.

I know some match-grade and target rifles are recommended to be cleaned on the schedule you posted, but I've just never bothered with that. I'm a fair enough shot, but I'll never be at that level, where a meticulous "break-in" process actually makes a difference visible to me. So I just keep 'em clean enough that they'll work, and I don't worry about the details.

Big +1 on keeping the bolt, locking lugs, etc., clean. The only non-magazine-induced failure I've ever had with an AR was due to this exact thing; too much Wolf ammo had crudded up the chamber, and I started getting stuck shells. I learned my lesson, and started scrubbing out the action and bolt, and I've not had a single failure since (excluding bad magazines, etc).

[Excaliber]

I have never heard of wetting a brush. Wet and dry patches, but not a wet brush.

I bought a Rock River match stainless barreled upper a while back. They told me there is no break in procedure, just start shooting and enjoy it. Barrel break procedures vary widely. I would think a using a bore snake every so many rounds at first would be the easiest thing to do and would effectively remove any debris from the barrel if needed. I think it all depends on how they make the barrel and how it is treated afterward. I think there are things they can do to the barrels now that effectively remove the sharp edges and such that a break-in might take care of.

I'm an old dinosaur I've been shooting for 60+ years, using a wet bore brush was a common practice years ago. I guess my age is showing.

Well I guess my age is showing too, but the wet brush definitely saves time for me.

[Gungirl]

More awesome advice , thanks so much. Will be definitely getting a note snack after using the kit! I will for times of more heavy use. I will also look into the bolt brush, that would definitely make that area easier to clean. I am meticous in my cleaning, It is just who I am. Creating good habits is important and regular fields tripping practice is also very important- cleaning after every trip to the range does this.
I LOVED shorting the AR and wish it could be my EDC!! I am enjoying the heck outta it!!!

[Gyrogearhead]

The use of a brass catcher bag that straps on the gun was mentioned a few posts ago. I bought a UTC brass catcher bag for my AR back in the spring from Midway for under $10 and have been very happy with it. It works really great and it is really nice not to have to go chasing brass.

However, there is a much cheaper fix for this issue with the brass and that is to drape a hand towel over the receiver while you are shooting. The towel will drop all the brass on the bench if that's where you're shooting or at your feet if you're shooting off hand. Now I always keep an extra hand towel in my range bag for when the brass catcher bag gets left at home.