Cleaning a AR-15

[LACamper]

I didn't mean spotless! I meant barrel clogged with crud vs. relatively clean.

 

[JNieman]

The extra crap in the barrel acts as extra shrapnel/grapeshot to provide additional wounding factors. It's a force multiplier.

 

[AKM-47]

Is it possible to clean a AR the same way I would a AK or does a AR get to gunked up for a simple cleaning

I’m more collector then shooter and have never put more then 60 rounds through a AK

 

[JNieman]

Is it possible to clean a AR the same way I would a AK or does a AR get to gunked up for a simple cleaning

I’m more collector then shooter and have never put more then 60 rounds through a AK

Without knowing how you would clean an AK, I can't really answer that...

60 rounds isn't even worth a second look at the gun, though, imo.

ETA: But for a collector who might be more interested in a thorough cleaning... it's quite easy. It field strips very fast and requires no tools. You can separate the receiver halves and get very good access to all the necessary parts. Since the upper half separates, you can get at the bore with a rigid rod without a problem. I use a bore snake though, but ymmv.

 

[AKM-47]

Without knowing how you would clean an AK, I can't really answer that...

Take the top cover off, take out the spring, take out the bolt.....mount cleaning tool, loop or needle on brass rod, dip patches into or spray on cleaning fluid, put down barrel

Put clean patches through until last patch is clean

Clean bolt

Clean around chamber

Oil bolt, put bolt back in, oil spring, put spring back in, put top cover back on

5 min. total.....7 to 10 min. if I clean the gas tube

 

[JNieman]

That's about the same difficulty and moving of parts. It's simple.

 

[AKM-47]

That's about the same difficulty and moving of parts. It's simple.

I have watched a few videos and noticed they spray cleaner all inside the receiver and had to break down the bolt and clean it

The AK’s did not have to be cleaned this way and the bolt only has two parts...three if you take the pin out

Plus it only needs a lite coat of oil on the spring and where the bolt slides back and forth...the AR needs a lube job...it seamed like the whole bolt needs a heavy coat of oil

 

[JNieman]

I think you're putting an inordinately high amount of thought into an insanely minor thing.

 

[doc ace]

I think you're putting an inordinately high amount of thought into an insanely minor thing.

Maybe pay a Mexican $5 to clean it? Just keep it on the down low.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I have watched a few videos and noticed they spray cleaner all inside the receiver and had to break down the bolt and clean it

The AK’s did not have to be cleaned this way and the bolt only has two parts...three if you take the pin out

Plus it only needs a lite coat of oil on the spring and where the bolt slides back and forth...the AR needs a lube job...it seamed like the whole bolt needs a heavy coat of oil

Your way over thinking it. If your a collector not a shooter there's no need to lube an AR.

 

[TheLawson]

What's this cleaning thing?

Field strip it and toss the parts into a 5 gal bucket of mineral spirits overnight (yes, the upper and lower too). Next day pull it out (if your like me you have parts from a few guns in there...) wipe down, apply lube, assemble, clean again after a few thousand rounds.

 

[Bulldawg]

Does anyone have an Otis Cleaning Kit?

I was just going to get this AR one:
http://www.otistec.com/pc_product_detail.asp?key=D7EBF5F2C58B4ECF9C244D8FF2A1061D

But then I saw this one that would work for several other weapons I have:
http://www.otistec.com/pc_product_detail.asp?key=92456BCB3A8F44F89E63C775453A429A

Would the second option provide everything I needed for cleaning my AR?
(I'm obviously new to this).

Thanks for your input!