Easier AR-15 Cleaning

billt · 03-05-2008, 07:36 AM

After having conversations on other forums about cleaning and maintaining AR-15's, I'm going to purchase one of these.

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

I have used them before at the last place I worked, and they will clean brass to the point after polishing, you cannot tell it from new. I think it will be just the ticket for AR-15 carbon encrusted bolt and carrier assemblies, gas pistons, as well as slides and barrels of auto pistols. It's a nice sized one for the price. I'm also going to get some of this to use in it. Not a very big investment to help save time and effort involved in cleaning guns. Bill T.

Ultrasonic Weapon Cleaning Solutions and Lubricants - L&R Ultrasonics

Orlando · 03-05-2008, 07:52 AM

I'm sure it will work. I really dont understand all the fuss over cleaning a AR. If you clean after every trip to the range there is no build up . I find it not that much harder to clean than any other firearm

billt · 03-05-2008, 07:56 AM

I agree. With that said, both my wife and I shoot a lot of trap. She shoots a Beretta A-390 Trap semi auto and after 300 target day the piston can become very carbon encrusted, and take quite a bit of time to clean. This will eliminate a lot of time spent on the overall cleaning process. Bill T.

GlockMeister · 03-05-2008, 07:59 AM

I don't think you need it but it's up to you. I think it will take all the fun (to me anyhow) out of cleaning. They are really also only necessary for firearms that have either never been cleaned, poorly taken care of or something along those lines. As long as you properly lube your firearms, AR properly before and properly clean and lubricate it/them when you're done, you should never have any problems to the point you'll ever need something like that to clean it/them...

If you want to make cleaning any firearm, especially an AR not only easier, but make the parts break in better and last longer, get gun butter...In fact, they sell the gun butter in a kit for with applicators.
Receiver & Carrier Lubrication*&!@#%-*&!@#%Mid-South Tactical Network (MSTN)

MSTN AR-Receiver Lube Kit*&!@#%-*&!@#%Mid-South Tactical Network (MSTN)

The Best Firearm Lubricant - Gun Butter

Your firearm/s, you can do with what and however you want. I actually enjoy, even though it can sometimes be a pain in the butt, like to take the time and clean them..

Orlando · 03-05-2008, 08:01 AM

I just read that CMP has bought a large commercial version of what you are talking about to help speed up their cleaning ,grading process

billt · 03-05-2008, 08:34 AM

There is a guy here in my neck of the woods that cleans mini blinds with a large, tank type unit. After cleaning you just leave them extended and allow them to air dry. They come out spotless. Bill T.

sks=happy · 03-05-2008, 01:45 PM

i hate all the fumes in the house while i clean the guns.that would solve that problem huh....

billt · 03-05-2008, 02:08 PM

I just picked one up this morning. If you go to the Harbor Freight store, be sure to print out the link I posted with the $79.99 price because on the shelf they are marked $99.99. I had the printout and got it for the $79.99 price. I had a box of .338-378 Weatherby brass that was pretty dirty and it cleaned up spotless with a couple of the 480 second, (8 minute), cycles. All I used was warm water with dish soap, and a teaspoon full of the powdered ultrasonic cleaner they sell there for $5.00. While it was running I submersed the stretch band of my watch in it and you could watch the dirt disperse from all the little nooks and crannies of the band. It's pretty neat how well they work. Bill T.

03-05-2008, 07:36 AM	#1
billt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 161	Easier AR-15 Cleaning After having conversations on other forums about cleaning and maintaining AR-15's, I'm going to purchase one of these. Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices I have used them before at the last place I worked, and they will clean brass to the point after polishing, you cannot tell it from new. I think it will be just the ticket for AR-15 carbon encrusted bolt and carrier assemblies, gas pistons, as well as slides and barrels of auto pistols. It's a nice sized one for the price. I'm also going to get some of this to use in it. Not a very big investment to help save time and effort involved in cleaning guns. Bill T. Ultrasonic Weapon Cleaning Solutions and Lubricants - L&R Ultrasonics

03-05-2008, 07:59 AM	#4
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,504	I don't think you need it but it's up to you. I think it will take all the fun (to me anyhow) out of cleaning. They are really also only necessary for firearms that have either never been cleaned, poorly taken care of or something along those lines. As long as you properly lube your firearms, AR properly before and properly clean and lubricate it/them when you're done, you should never have any problems to the point you'll ever need something like that to clean it/them... If you want to make cleaning any firearm, especially an AR not only easier, but make the parts break in better and last longer, get gun butter...In fact, they sell the gun butter in a kit for with applicators. Receiver & Carrier Lubrication&!@#%-&!@#%Mid-South Tactical Network (MSTN) MSTN AR-Receiver Lube Kit&!@#%-&!@#%Mid-South Tactical Network (MSTN) The Best Firearm Lubricant - Gun Butter Your firearm/s, you can do with what and however you want. I actually enjoy, even though it can sometimes be a pain in the butt, like to take the time and clean them.. __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

03-05-2008, 07:52 AM	#2
Orlando Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 545	I'm sure it will work. I really dont understand all the fuss over cleaning a AR. If you clean after every trip to the range there is no build up . I find it not that much harder to clean than any other firearm

03-05-2008, 07:56 AM	#3
billt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 161	I agree. With that said, both my wife and I shoot a lot of trap. She shoots a Beretta A-390 Trap semi auto and after 300 target day the piston can become very carbon encrusted, and take quite a bit of time to clean. This will eliminate a lot of time spent on the overall cleaning process. Bill T.

03-05-2008, 08:01 AM	#5
Orlando Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 545	I just read that CMP has bought a large commercial version of what you are talking about to help speed up their cleaning ,grading process

03-05-2008, 08:34 AM	#6
billt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 161	There is a guy here in my neck of the woods that cleans mini blinds with a large, tank type unit. After cleaning you just leave them extended and allow them to air dry. They come out spotless. Bill T.

03-05-2008, 01:45 PM	#7
sks=happy Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 43	i hate all the fumes in the house while i clean the guns.that would solve that problem huh....

03-05-2008, 02:08 PM	#8
billt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 161	I just picked one up this morning. If you go to the Harbor Freight store, be sure to print out the link I posted with the $79.99 price because on the shelf they are marked $99.99. I had the printout and got it for the $79.99 price. I had a box of .338-378 Weatherby brass that was pretty dirty and it cleaned up spotless with a couple of the 480 second, (8 minute), cycles. All I used was warm water with dish soap, and a teaspoon full of the powdered ultrasonic cleaner they sell there for $5.00. While it was running I submersed the stretch band of my watch in it and you could watch the dirt disperse from all the little nooks and crannies of the band. It's pretty neat how well they work. Bill T.