What do you guys recommend for an AR-15 cleaning kit?

For field use I keep a USGI kit so I can punch out stuck cases or squibs. At home I have a Dewey rod and attachments.

ARs don't need cleaning.

I actually prefer my bore snake over my carbon fiber Dewey.

quote:

Originally posted by bigwagon:
ARs don't need cleaning.

They're cheap too. Just buy another one when it gets dirty.

the issue kit, a dental pick and a couple spare brushes.....pipe cleaners, qtips and of course patches and rags

quote:

Originally posted by bigwagon:
ARs don't need cleaning.

It cleans 'em when ya shoot 'em ©

Thanks a lot, fellas.

Boresnake for most barrel cleaning.

Wipe down the BCG and all with your favorite cleaner/rag/ect.

Otis makes a nice cleaning kit.

No bore snakes - you're just dragging crap down the barrel every time. Accumulated crap if you don't clean the bore snake between cleanings.

No segmented/take down rods - joints can scratch

You need the following for a good cleaning kit:
- A good one piece coated rod (ie Dewey)for .223/5.56
- A good jag (.22/.223 etc)
- A bore guide (to keep the rod centered in the bore
- A pin block set that holds the action open
- A small plastic squeeze bottle full of
o 3 parts Shooters Choice solvent
o 1 part Kroil
- Appropriate size cloth patches
- A bore mop
- A plastic bristle bore brush (copper brushes leave copper residue)
- Chamber brush & rod
- Small plastic brush (like a stiff tooth brush made for cleaning guns)


That should get you going... remember to be careful when you use the brush to scrub the bore, don't let the brush completely exit the barrel. Over time this back and forth rubbing of the rod as the brush exits the barrel will wear out the muzzle crown and impact accuracy.

I'd never use the GI kits for cleaning. One piece Dewey rod, Shooters Choice and T-9 to coat the exterior. Slip2000 EWL for lube.

As far as using a GI rod to punch out a squib, it's not going to happen. The end of the rod will simply bend. A brass rod will be needed at the very least for a squid into the lands and grooves. It would work for a stuck case.

I always keep a small needle applicator bottle fo Kroil in the kit. In addition to other uses, it will melt carbon off your bolt like you wouldm't believe.

a few friends are friends with the guy who invented the MS Clean Kit, which looks pretty cool.

quote:

Originally posted by cmr076:
a few friends are friends with the guy who invented the MS Clean Kit, which looks pretty cool.

That's actually a pretty cool idea. It's a GI kit + for most major calibers. The dental pick is a nice add on, espically for the locking lugs.

I issues Otis kits when I was an armorer and while they do the job I felt the were over complicated. A GI rod with a few extra sections allows you to have both a chamber length and full barrel length rod assembeled at the same time and that cuts down on cleaning time. Also, the idea of a couple of small bottles of your favorite CLP type stuff speeds things up as well.

I use the Otis kit in my range bag and I've included their Bore Snake. I like the small package and it works fine until you have a stuck case. Their flexible rods are pretty much useless with a stuck case.

My gunsmith turned me onto the Iosso kit. The bristles are a stiff nylon material so will lessen the chance of damaging/scratching anything. The kit is very high quality.

Iosso