Help maintaining my new AR-15

[sbwaters]

My new AR-15 16" .223/5.56 Thordsen stock (NY, darn it) will arrive soon.

1) What tools should I have on hand?

2) I see people cleaning using a lower vice block. Which one should I get and why?

3) Whose bore guide and cleaning gear should I consider?

4) If I were to consider an AR tool kit for a later build of a second AR, whose kit should I consider?

Thank you all!

 

[CLP]

You're going to get a slew of answers for this one.

My suggestion is to keep it simple. A rod, jag, rod brushes, patches, double ended cleaning brushes, Hoppes 9, CLP, Q-tips, and old t-shirts. A quick cheat is to just scrub all the internals and trigger group down with Hoppes and take it outside and blast it with degreaser, then oil the necessary points. Most barrels are chrome moly lined and clean easily. Run a patch wetted with Hoppes, let soak for a few min, scrub with a brush, run a dry patch through, then run a lightly oiled patch through. No need to keep repeating this procedure ad nauseum, just knock out the bulk of the carbon/copper build up. I don't fool around with carbon buildup on the muzzle, let the OCD crowd convince you why/if you should.

I have ARs that I babied and cleaned perfectly and cleaned the bore til the patches came out just about the same color they went in and got the carbon off the muzzle...none of it made any difference when comparing the quick and easy method above. Spend more time shooting and less time cleaning. And don't ever fool around with the gas tube. It's an out-hole only and is self-cleaning (with maybe the exception of some 22LR conversions).

 

[edwardware]

Is cleaning your new AR going to be a hobby unto itself?

If not, the only special kit you need is a chamber/lug brush for cleaning the chamber and inside the barrel extension. That's the only area that's difficult to reach with TTips (Tactical QTips!).

Even scrubbing out carbon from inside the BCG isn't bad when you have the luxury of Hoppes, a QTip, and a few minutes to let it soak. . .

I've never needed more than my own hand-fabricated buffer tube castle nut wrench for assembly, because I've never swapped a barrel. The usual gunsmithing punches and gizmos apply.

 

[primalmu]

1) Depends on what you plan on doing. For basic stuff you probably already have everything you need. If you plan on swapping out parts (handguards, triggers, stocks, etc) you might need more.

2) I used the cheapest one I could find and haven't been disappointed. Same for upper receiver block. Again, if you plan on building a bunch of rifles in the future, you would probably benefit from nicer equipment.

3) I'm bad -- I don't use a bore guide. I do use a nice Tipton carbon fiber one piece rod for my rifles. Best money I've spent on cleaning supplies. As far as other cleaning supplied, I keep it simple. Hoppes solvent and a 50:50 mix of synthetic motor oil and transmission fluid as a lube. I haven't been able to justify using expensive products like Froglube -- my shooting habits really don't require it.

4) I piece mealed my AR building tools. My only advice would be not to skimp on starter punches. I use cheaper punches for driving the pins through.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H407C1O/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L7HOMG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[badkarmamib]

I agree with CLP, just clean it like any other firearm. Clen the bolt, internals, and barrel. The only real differences are disassembling the bolt (to 5 pieces) and getting to the locking lugs on the barrel extension. As far as future builds, I have built all of my lowers with a pin punch, center punch, small ball-pein hammer, needle-nose pliers, and castle nut wrench, no vise block. For uppers, same tools plus an upper block, hex keys for the gas block, and a barrel nut wrench. Other tools may be helpful, but I haven't used them, except for a wrench for a muzzle device, but you shouldn't need to worry about that

 

[lysanderxiii]

I agree with CLP, just clean it like any other firearm. Clen the bolt, internals, and barrel. The only real differences are disassembling the bolt (to 5 pieces) and getting to the locking lugs on the barrel extension. As far as future builds, I have built all of my lowers with a pin punch, center punch, small ball-pein hammer, needle-nose pliers, and castle nut wrench, no vise block. For uppers, same tools plus an upper block, hex keys for the gas block, and a barrel nut wrench. Other tools may be helpful, but I haven't used them, except for a wrench for a muzzle device, but you shouldn't need to worry about that

No need to remove the ejector, unless it's broken....

All you need to know:

 

[Fire_Moose]

I scored one of these for like 10$. Definately worth it.

https://www.botach.com/kley-zion-crt-ar15-m4-bolt-carrier-carbon-removal-tool/

 

[Walkalong]

Keep it oiled. Get a bore guide. Use a one piece cleaning rod. Clean it occasionally. Keep it oiled.

 

[Jlr2267]

I scored one of these for like 10$. Definately worth it.

https://www.botach.com/kley-zion-crt-ar15-m4-bolt-carrier-carbon-removal-tool/

Nice. I use a similar tool for cleaning carbon off the bolt. After several hundred rounds, it definitely needs it.

Highly recommended addition to the cleaning kit.

 

[bearcreek]

My new AR-15 16" .223/5.56 Thordsen stock (NY, darn it) will arrive soon.

Sorry man. Consider a move.

1) What tools should I have on hand?

Well, here's the instructions from Thordsen. Seems like that'd be the best place to get your info. http://www.thordsencustoms.com/media/wysiwyg/stock_instrustions_20130629185107.pdf

2) I see people cleaning using a lower vice block. Which one should I get and why?

If you've already got one I suppose it'd be fine to use it for cleaning. Certainly no reason to buy one just for that purpose though.

3) Whose bore guide and cleaning gear should I consider?

You don't need a bore guide. A GI surplus cleaning rod, a bore snake and some old sheets are what you'll need. Maybe a chamber brush if you feel like.

4) If I were to consider an AR tool kit for a later build of a second AR, whose kit should I consider?

Can't answer this one. I've never bought a complete AR tool kit. Just individual tools.


A quality AR doesn't require much maintenance. Make sure it's lubed and blow out the crap with a compressor on occasion and you'll be fine most of the time. A deeper clean every 6000 rds or so isn't a bad idea.

 

[Nature Boy]

CLP, nylon bore brush, brass jag, coated cleaning rod

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[sawdeanz]

Yeah if you want quick and easy, a bore snake will do it! That's what I generally use anyway.

My problem is after scrubbing the chamber extension, how do I get the crud back out of there?

 

[badkarmamib]

Pipe cleaners soaked in Hoppe's work for me.

 

[bearcreek]

Yeah if you want quick and easy, a bore snake will do it! That's what I generally use anyway.

My problem is after scrubbing the chamber extension, how do I get the crud back out of there?

Air compressor with a blow gun.

 

[Welding Rod]

Chamber brush, 22 jag, patches, cleaning rod, GI type "tooth" brush, CLP.

 

[Jackal]

Clp, cleaning rod and some patches. Thats really all you need. The AR is as close to an idiotproof design as it gets, doesnt take much to maintain them.

As for build tools, I use Grace USA roll pin punches, Magpul armorers wrench, upper vise block and a polymer tent stake hammer.