I have a full-auto M-16. I was never in the military so I have no first-hand experience in the maintenance of this gun. I've had it for almost 10 years but have shot it very little, as a result, I don't know a lot about the gun. What would you suggest I do to become more familiar with it, particularly in terms of it's cleaning, upkeep, and maintenance?

Here's a link to ghe best cleaning info I have found so far: http://www.varminthunters.com/ar15tech/ar15cleaning.html

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Originally posted by Spring:
I have a full-auto M-16. I was never in the military so I have no first-hand experience in the maintenance of this gun. I've had it for almost 10 years but have shot it very little, as a result, I don't know a lot about the gun. What would you suggest I do to become more familiar with it, particularly in terms of it's cleaning, upkeep, and maintenance?

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Beside the previous link, you may post over on http://.www.subguns.com in the NFA Discussion forum and get in touch with some NFA owners in your area. Sinclair International also has several inexpensive gadgets and AR15/M16 books that would help someone become a little more familiar. These rifles are fairly easy to maintain and I don't think you'll have any trouble.

In the Marines we use WD40 for a Quick Clean in Combat when we did not have time but a full clean if a M16 take time.

Sgt Sostand (USMC 8541/ 0311 /0331)

When I was in the Army and we came in from the field, we would soak 'em down with WD40,brush 'em with those green tooth brushes they gave us, then go into the latrine, where there was a big laundry sink with water so hot it would scald you. We would rinse them under the faucet in this hot hot water and dry it all out with Q-tips and patches....ah the memories.

I am not sure WD40 is a good way to clean a $15,000 rifle. First, please put anti-rotating pins in that lower so they dont wear out. The world needs all the full auto lowers it can get. Next, get several things from sinclair's: bore mop, rod guide, cleaning link. Just patch it and brush it like any normal rifle. Use the bore mop to clean the feed ramps and the bore.

GSG, got me to pick up my Sinclair International catalog. They've got some very useful gizmos for the AR15/16 cleaning and maintenance.

I also recommend the Brownell's catalog.

These are two "must have" catalogs for the serious shooter.

Have you guys seen these gizmos? Specially made gas-tube "pipe cleaners" (not to be confused with standard pipe cleaners).



DaMan

I use Sinclair's lug cleaning tool, the AR15 link, the o-ring bore guide, etc. They're fairly compact tools that don't cost an arm and a leg and make cleaning my AR15 a little more handy.

I also like this gizmo....

Cleaning the gas tube is a waste of time. There is SO much pressure going through there that you really dont need to clean the gas tube, it is self-cleaning. It is infact one of the nice features of the ar-15

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There is SO much pressure going through there that you really dont need to clean the gas tube, it is self-cleaning.

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True. I only clean out the gas tube if I've been using my .22 conversion kit.

The bolt and carrier are the critical parts when cleaning the AR15/16. That's why highly recommend the carrier tool above and these swabs.



For cleaning solvent, I swear by a 4/1 mixture of Shooter's Choice bore cleaner and Kroil penetrating oil.

I use a GI pistol cleaning rod with loop and the GI chamber brush.

REMEMBER: The GI cleaning rods have 8-36 threads. The commercial use 8-32.

While this gizmo doesn't have anything to do with cleaning, it's a must have item for anybody that doesn't get their ammo on GI strippers.

Hell, it's a handy device even IF you get all your ammo on GI strippers since it is an UNLOADER as well as a magazine loader.

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Originally posted by DaMan:
While this gizmo doesn't have anything to do with cleaning, it's a must have item for anybody that doesn't get their ammo on GI strippers.

Hell, it's a handy device even IF you get all your ammo on GI strippers since it is an UNLOADER as well as a magazine loader.

http://www.brownells.com/Images/Products/100000637.jpg

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A LULA!! The best $20.00 I ever spent!! ...sakofan..

sakofan, if you like the little "lula", you would love the "maglula benchloader".........


But they are sort of "pricey"!

If you are unfamiliar with these handy devices checks out ... Maglula

DaMan