The day that I knew that I had achieved complete satisfaction was the day that I learned how to disassemble, carefully clean, and reassemble an AR-15 as a new recruit going through the academy. I fell in love with the AR-15 before I even shot it. You know the feeling! If you are a new AR-15 owner, congratulations! I don't have to tell any gun owner, especially an AR-15 owner, how paramount proper rifle maintenance is. AR-style weapons, unlike most pistols and rifles, should be cleaned and lubricated more between shooting sessions. More frequent care is the result of AR-15 shooters typically shooting around 200 rounds per range session. As important as it is for the AR-15 to be clean before a shooting session, it's equally important to keep it lubricated. Keeping your AR lubricated will help to overcome the carbon build-up and high heat generated when running so many rounds through per session. AR-15 platforms are durable, and because of that shooters can dunk the weapon into a solvent bath, use an ultrasonic cleaner, scrub with the proper brushes and patches, and then lubricate. Lubricant is wonderful, but be careful not to apply so much that you gum up your firearm.

CLEANING YOUR AR-15

I think that I know a little something about AR-15's, but sometimes I give myself too much credit. That is why I like to start my cleaning on a parts diagram or schematic cleaning mat (just in case).

Tekmat AR-15 Parts Diagram Cleaning Mat

There are around 13 steps to cleaning an AR-15. Without going into too much detail, I follow the generally accepted chronological order of disassembly. In a nutshell, the process goes: 1- Clear the firearm while pointing in a safe direction. 2- Release the bolt forward. 3- Push the upper receiver takedown pins inward. 4- Remove the upper receiver. 5- To get the bolt and charging handle to come loose, pull the charging handle to the rear. 6- Disassemble the bolt housing group. 7- Place the parts of the bolt housing group in a solvent and save for later 8- Clean the firing pin recess area 9- Clean the bolt 10- Clean the bore 11- Clean the chamber 12- Remove the handrails and scrub the barrel with solvent (carbon build-up can accumulate quickly in the delta-ring area) 13- Clean the lower receiver. 14 - Reassemble the weapon

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB

You can usually find a universal cleaning kit that has everything that you need to clean not only your AR, but other firearms as well. If you don't have other firearms, you may end up with a lot of extra pieces that you may not need. But if you are committed to a nice universal kit, you can't go wrong with OTIS! My personal kit is the OTIS ELITE UNIVERSAL CLEANING SYSTEM WITH THE TACTICAL CLEANING SYSTEM
.

Otis Elite Cleaning System

If you are looking for something a little more specific without all of the extra fluff, there are some really great AR-15 specific cleaning kits available at Classic, like the REAL AVID GUN BOSS PRO AR-15 RIFLE CLEANING KIT
.

Real Avid AR-15 Gun Boss Pro Cleaning Kit

Make sure that your selected cleaning kit contains the brushes, bore snakes, and other parts specific to your AR caliber.

Alexander Firearms .50 Beowulf Cleaning Kit

CLEANING ESSENTIALS

CLP and HOPPE's both carry a line of products that have 5-Star ratings among shooters who clean their AR-15 after every range session. From gun bore cleaners, solvents, oils, lubricating oils, protectants, and more, you are sure to find everything that you need in these two lines of cleaning solutions.

GREAT CLEANING ACCESSORIES

There are so many great cleaning tools out there, there is even something called "accuracy oil" on the market now. It's pretty fun to scroll through our cleaning supplies, you will always find a new little gadget or oil that you cannot live without. Here are a few cool tools that I found within 2 minutes of searching Classics cleaning supplies and cleaning kits. Real Avid Carbon Boss Carbon Remover
. The AR15 Carbon Boss was designed to provide you with the most comprehensive carbon removal capabilities ever. With a rotating pin punch, cotter pin puller, interior bolt, and exterior bolt scrapers, bolt lug scraper, bolt cam pin scraper, small and large firing pin scrapers, embedded 360-degree phosphor bronze bolt tail brush, replaceable rotating multi-surface bolt brush, bolt face scraper, bolt carrier scraper, and firing pin face scraper this tool is carbon's worst enemy. (CF)

Real Avid Carbon Boss Carbon Remover

How about a punch set? You don't have to be a gunsmith to use one! Check out the Lyman Deluxe Hammer and Punch Kit
. Each set features a complete selection of quality Gunsmith Punches plus the popular Brass Tapper Hammer. This unique set comes in a custom hardwood storage case that separates each punch by size for quick access. (CF)

Lyman Deluxe Hammer And Punch Kit

The OTIS Star Chamber Cleaning Tool
takes away the awkwardness and difficulty of cleaning the chamber area of an MSR/AR-style rifle. It features a parkerized steel scraper to remove fouling build-up, and the coated brass nose piece centers the tool in the chamber for proper cleaning. This model is for 5.56mm rifles, has 8-32 threads, and comes with 6 cleaning pads. Refills are available.

Otis Star Chamber Cleaning Tool

RamRodz 60023: RamRodz Mantus Tight Access Tool
is a versatile 6" tweezer/plier hybrid for tight-access precision grabbing. It accesses areas and grabs objects that no other product can. Made from surgical stainless steel and utilizing interlocking serrated jaws, the Mantus provides a sure grip on a variety of firearm components, including springs, detents, o-rings, bushings, and more. (CF)

RamRodz Mantus Tight Access Tool

And I simply cannot get enough of the original military oil bottles. Great gift for any firearms enthusiast but extra special for a surplus collector, and they start at only $1.99! Classic Firearms has single spout oilers in plastic and metal, and dual compartment oilers in metal in stock now!

Original Military Oil Bottles

Enjoy cleaning your firearm, clean it when you can truly take the time, and inspect each piece in addition to cleaning and lubricating. Maintenance is the single most important action that you can take to increase the lifespan of your rifle and its parts. Shop All Gun Cleaning
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