Cleaning question

[yz9890]

The search function via TapaTalk is probably letting me down. Can someone link to the most recent cleaning thread?

The lanes at Lead Valley have a very fine dirt that gets everywhere when the wind blows. Which is likely always. I've got a half a dozen guns that are caked inside and out. I'm not and have never been a soldier so my cleaning experience is mostly just shooting residue. Should I hit them with a compressor and/or some CLP before cleaning? I fear this dirt gets inside places beyond a normal take down.

Sorry for the likely dead horse. Close or combine with another thread if something similar has been covered recently.

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[Irving]

Good question IMO. I like the compressed air idea, but I don't know either.

[ray1970]

Compressed air might get some of it off but it might push some farther up in places it doesn't belong.

This might sound stupid to some of you but I'd take them out in the yard and hose them off.

[Guylee]

Compressed air might get some of it off but it might push some farther up in places it doesn't belong.

This might sound stupid to some of you but I'd take them out in the yard and hose them off.

Agreed. I know guys that bring their guns in the shower with them when they get home from a long range day. And then there's always those special folk who put their guns in the dishwasher...

Save the compressed air for afterward to blow off the water.

[Ramsker]

Maybe Shop Vac or vacuum with a soft brush attachment as a first step so you're not blowing that in or onto other parts? Then close the dust cover and hit it with the compressor? Then a good cleaning.

[Irving]

What's the difference between air pushing sand in further, and water pushing sand in further? I imagine the idea is that the sand will travel back out with the water?

[yz9890]

Compressed air might get some of it off but it might push some farther up in places it doesn't belong.

This might sound stupid to some of you but I'd take them out in the yard and hose them off.

Doesn't sound stupid to me. I have heard of water to get rid of dirt, followed by WD40 to get ride of all the water, followed by brake cleaner to get rid of the WD40, followed by a regular cleaning. Anyone ever try that? Over thinking?

[buffalobo]

What's the difference between air pushing sand in further, and water pushing sand in further? I imagine the idea is that the sand will travel back out with the water?


Yes, rinse effect.

[Guylee]

Well either way he's gonna have to get in there with a brush if he wants every little grain out.

GEDIT: I'll be watching this thread with great interest. Apparently such a simple task is quite the can of worms.

[ray1970]

Shooting out at CRC on a windy day has a similar effect.

I have literally filled the kitchen sink with warm soapy water and thrown disassembled handguns in there and scrubbed them with a toothbrush.

Depending on the part, I've even used the oven to get them thoroughly dry before reassembly.

[Great-Kazoo]

Put wet cleaning patch in the chamber, once you separated the upper & lower. For this operation to minimize grit elsewhere in the upper, stick a wet (oil or gun cleaner) q-tip end or pipe cleaner in the gas tube.
.Blow off with air, run water over them, then blow off with air, moving nozzle from chamber towards back of receiver. Finishing up with cleaning product of choice. After the upper & lower have been cleaned to your satisfaction, remove cleaning patch from chamber. May require a few times to get it all.


I'm opposed to cleaning in sink or dishwasher. YMMV

[yz9890]

Put wet cleaning patch in the chamber, once you separated the upper & lower. For this operation to minimize grit elsewhere in the upper, stick a wet (oil or gun cleaner) q-tip end or pipe cleaner in the gas tube.
.Blow off with air, run water over them, then blow off with air, moving nozzle from chamber towards back of receiver. Finishing up with cleaning product of choice. After the upper & lower have been cleaned to your satisfaction, remove cleaning patch from chamber. May require a few times to get it all.

Do you mean swab the chamber with a wet patch or plug it up like the gas tube while I rinse it?

[Great-Kazoo]

Plug it and the gas tube, eliminates grit getting in to those areas.

[KS63]

I use compressed air to blow off the majority of dust/dirt after I have separated the two receivers. Sometimes I'll so far as to remove the handguard. I'll hit the chamber and upper receiver with non chlorinated brake cleaner. Maybe hit the fire control group if needed. Clean as normal after that. Lube everything that needs it. That's me.