Improper Cleaning can ruin your AR15 Bolt Carrier Group
BY Herschel Smith
1 year, 9 months ago
I don’t have to worry about this since I NEVER put metal to my BCGs. I only use cleaners and nylon brushes.
With that said, I think it might be nice to get the gauges he mentioned.
On February 27, 2023 at 10:26 am, George said:
He is so right about lube. Back in ’88 when I went to M16 Instructors’ School at Quantico we were told to add lube through the two holes in the carrier when/if the weapon started to be sluggish. One day we went through 1200 rounds individually and never had a stoppage. We would lube the carrier,( which went straight into the inside of the carrier where the bolt rides).
However, we were told to get the carbon completely off/out.
I will no longer do that.
Thanks for this insightful video.
On February 27, 2023 at 11:22 am, Miles said:
Interesting, and informative.
Not that the area isn’t an important one, but no smallarms shop in the Army that I know of had such gauges and checking that measurement was not a part of a full technical inspection as specified in the Tech Manual either.
Possibly acceptance inspectors at the manufacturer’s plants and the guys at Anniston go to that extent at the depot, but I never saw such gauges even used by Anniston’s SARET teams
Of course, I retired 9 years ago , so I may be all wet.
The point about lubing is right on though. Every range I ever supported had several pump bottles of CLP available and we always advised to pump a squirt or two directly into the upper before going on the line.
On February 27, 2023 at 11:38 am, Houston said:
I use the method of Grant Cunningham has he posted on his website. He advises never to put lube inside the two exhaust ports on the bolt. Those are out holes, not in holes. He is specific on what to lube too. The carrier itself has areas to lube as does the bolt itself. Not spurting oil into those holes makes tool less cleaning of the bolt easier. Like the author of the video, I have never used hard scraping tools, only chemical, nylon brush and swab. Admitted I don’t shoot thousands of rounds at a time but I have never had issue.
On February 27, 2023 at 11:39 am, Herschel Smith said:
I’d like to take a class from this guy, but alas, I work full time. I have a day job.
On February 27, 2023 at 12:45 pm, Houston said:
@HS. Yep me too. I have most of his books though. I like his revolver books and his book on the home defense long gun is a good guide too.
On February 27, 2023 at 2:19 pm, =TW= said:
Moh’s Scale of Hardness
Lead – 1.5
Tin – 1.5
Zinc – 2.5
Gold – 2.5 – 3
Silver – 2.5 – 3
Aluminum – 2.5 – 3
Copper – 3
Brass – 3
Bronze – 3
Nickel – 4
Platinum – 4 – 4.5
Steel – 4 – 4.5
Iron – 4.5
Palladium – 4.75
Rhodium – 6
Titanium – 6
Hardened Steel – 7 – 8
Tungsten – 7.5
Tungsten Carbide – 8.5 – 9
Related:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shqUtDdX4QM
On February 27, 2023 at 2:39 pm, Herschel Smith said:
@TW,
I’ve seen that video too. But water can wear down rocks. The question here isn’t just one of hardness, but how often, how vigorously, etc.
I wouldn’t do what that guy did in the barrel video hundreds of times. He did it once. And then visually examined it.
On February 27, 2023 at 5:17 pm, =TW= said:
For the record- I wouldn’t do that either.
But I seriously doubt one could significantly damage chamber areas or bolt components with manual use of a bronze brush.