A poster in the Rifle Country made a thread about using grease in AR-15's, and it got me thinking. A lot of people will say, "I use X cleaner or lubricant," but not why. I figure if we make a in depth thread about why we chose what cleaners, maybe those of us who(like myself) are dumber\less experienced than others can learn from those who have the zen of the firearm.
I'll start off:
1.) Did you choose an all in one cleaner/lubricant/protectant, or are you using separate products?
Separate products. I figure that Jack of All Trades-Master of None applies here.
2.) What products do you use, why, and how?
a.) Cleaner
M Pro-7. I believe this also goes under the name Hoppe's Elite cleaner. I like that it is odorless and non toxic. I purchased a gallon of it, and decanted it into a 2 ounce stopper, and an atomizer. I will get a spray bottle soon. I like to, as per directions, let it soak in to the parts for a few minutes, before cleaning. This seems to work well, removing all/most all residue.
b.) Oil
I use Corrosion-X Marine. I purchased this, as I was looking for the best lubricant I could find. I came across threads mentioning this product, and how it was not only a good lubricant, but also a good protectant. I decided on the Marine version, which was not only available in higher volumes, but was held up to higher testing standards; the corrosion-x for guns is apparently the normal corrosion-x, no need to pay extra for it. I was able to find a gallon on skygeek, and have decanted it into a 2 ounce stopper. I apply with either my finger or a q-tip, or apply directly with stopper. I provides a good balance of viscosity, in my opinion. Has a licorice-y smell, not unpleasant. Have not diluted with other oils, but might consider it, if other people have had good success with it.
c.) Protectant
See above. Corrosion-X, as far as I can tell, is the best oil protectant on the market. It is safe on wood and leather, as well, and penetrates into the metal, protecting against corrosion.
d.) Grease
Aeroshell 33ms. I like greases. I like my lubrication to stay where I put it when I need it to.
I am especially enamored of the idea of the Swiss K31 rifles, where the swiss soldiers would clean the rifle with a grease called "waffenfett." Now, there is no need to hold waffenfett as some magical mystery oil, just as some people hold lubriplate as the end-all-be-all in Garand circles. Modern greases should be better than those that came before, in my opinion. In searching for an ideal grease, I came across Aeroshell 33ms. It is lithium based(not clay), which is supposedly ideal for firearms. No graphite, so you don't need to worry about it reacting with aluminum. Molybdenum disulfite is another ingredient firearms are supposed to like. It is a milspec certified grease for harsh conditions, far exceeding the old Garand era certifications, which had to do with the grease washing off. I have no idea about the mechanics behind it, but it seems the ideal grease on the market at the moment for firearms, from what I have searched. Any other good greases(Tetra comes to mind), we should compare it with? I apply with q-tips. I also got this from skygeek.
e. Deep Cleaning/Copper Fouling
Don't have one. I don't know the ins and outs of copper fouling, and don't know it I need one, but it seems like a good idea, down the road.
f. Blackpowder/Corrosive Primer cleaning
Water. Only corrosive thing I shoot is mosin ammo, and I flush the barrel with water, then clean normally with M Pro-7.
3. How do you clean your rifles?
I disassemble the rifles, soak the parts that need cleaning in M Pro-7, and clean with paper towels and brushes and q-tips. For the barrel, I use a boresnake. I think I need to use rods, and maybe switch to shop towels. Lubricate(oil barrel and grease wear points and rails), reassemble.
How does everyone else clean, and what do they use? I am sure some people will immerse their parts, some people likely heat their parts, some people might do more regular deeper cleaning, etc. What and, more importantly, why, you clean your way?
I'll start off:
1.) Did you choose an all in one cleaner/lubricant/protectant, or are you using separate products?
Separate products. I figure that Jack of All Trades-Master of None applies here.
2.) What products do you use, why, and how?
a.) Cleaner
M Pro-7. I believe this also goes under the name Hoppe's Elite cleaner. I like that it is odorless and non toxic. I purchased a gallon of it, and decanted it into a 2 ounce stopper, and an atomizer. I will get a spray bottle soon. I like to, as per directions, let it soak in to the parts for a few minutes, before cleaning. This seems to work well, removing all/most all residue.
b.) Oil
I use Corrosion-X Marine. I purchased this, as I was looking for the best lubricant I could find. I came across threads mentioning this product, and how it was not only a good lubricant, but also a good protectant. I decided on the Marine version, which was not only available in higher volumes, but was held up to higher testing standards; the corrosion-x for guns is apparently the normal corrosion-x, no need to pay extra for it. I was able to find a gallon on skygeek, and have decanted it into a 2 ounce stopper. I apply with either my finger or a q-tip, or apply directly with stopper. I provides a good balance of viscosity, in my opinion. Has a licorice-y smell, not unpleasant. Have not diluted with other oils, but might consider it, if other people have had good success with it.
c.) Protectant
See above. Corrosion-X, as far as I can tell, is the best oil protectant on the market. It is safe on wood and leather, as well, and penetrates into the metal, protecting against corrosion.
d.) Grease
Aeroshell 33ms. I like greases. I like my lubrication to stay where I put it when I need it to.
I am especially enamored of the idea of the Swiss K31 rifles, where the swiss soldiers would clean the rifle with a grease called "waffenfett." Now, there is no need to hold waffenfett as some magical mystery oil, just as some people hold lubriplate as the end-all-be-all in Garand circles. Modern greases should be better than those that came before, in my opinion. In searching for an ideal grease, I came across Aeroshell 33ms. It is lithium based(not clay), which is supposedly ideal for firearms. No graphite, so you don't need to worry about it reacting with aluminum. Molybdenum disulfite is another ingredient firearms are supposed to like. It is a milspec certified grease for harsh conditions, far exceeding the old Garand era certifications, which had to do with the grease washing off. I have no idea about the mechanics behind it, but it seems the ideal grease on the market at the moment for firearms, from what I have searched. Any other good greases(Tetra comes to mind), we should compare it with? I apply with q-tips. I also got this from skygeek.
e. Deep Cleaning/Copper Fouling
Don't have one. I don't know the ins and outs of copper fouling, and don't know it I need one, but it seems like a good idea, down the road.
f. Blackpowder/Corrosive Primer cleaning
Water. Only corrosive thing I shoot is mosin ammo, and I flush the barrel with water, then clean normally with M Pro-7.
3. How do you clean your rifles?
I disassemble the rifles, soak the parts that need cleaning in M Pro-7, and clean with paper towels and brushes and q-tips. For the barrel, I use a boresnake. I think I need to use rods, and maybe switch to shop towels. Lubricate(oil barrel and grease wear points and rails), reassemble.
How does everyone else clean, and what do they use? I am sure some people will immerse their parts, some people likely heat their parts, some people might do more regular deeper cleaning, etc. What and, more importantly, why, you clean your way?
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A little left over carbon found, on say a AR-15 bolt carrier, well next cleaning that sucker gets the long soak. 
