OOOPS!

[Sgt. J Beezy]

So I am cleaning the bolt to my AR15 and I get the tip of a Q-Tip lodge in the back of the carrier key.

Anyone have any experience with this?

What can I do to push it through?

Was thinking pipe cleaners or compressed air...

Thanks.

[FatalKitty]

try compressed air pushing it out the way it came in.

I only use pipe cleaners in this area... for this reason... was a ***** to get out

[Roddd]

Bummer. Good luck getting it out. Try using a center punch to stick into it and pulling it out. Lesson learned.

[jgraham15]

I had this happen to me once years ago.

If I remember correctly I took a long pick and put a tiny bend on the end to catch the fibers of the q-tip and fished it out.

Since then I just blast a couple shots of brake cleaner through the bolt and call it good.

Good luck!

[PaperPuncher]

The business end of a match should clear that right up.

[xrMike]

I've done that a few times. Fortunately I have a dental pick with a small hook at the end -- lets me reach in there, snag the cotton ball, and pull it out.

I imagine you could make something just as effective using a straightened-out paper clip, or piece of stiff wire. Bend a tiny hook at the end with a pair of pliers. Sharpen the point of the hook maybe. Should work.

[sixzulu]

+1 dental picks are an AR's best friend

[JaeFern]

+1 dental picks are an AR's best friend

Agreed...but only on tuesdays...

-Jae from my Photon 4G

[QuarterBoreGunner]

try compressed air pushing it out the way it came in.

I only use pipe cleaners in this area... for this reason... was a ***** to get out

Ya! Pipe cleaners work wonders here. And maybe a can of compressed air with a pipe tip thingy.

[someR1]

do what i do when i get mad ...throw it at a wall....lol

or use dust-off air

[17+1]

I think I saw a thread about this on AR15 somewhat recently...guy just shot the rifle and the cotton was blown/burned out.

[johncmng]

Straighten out a fishing hook and grab the fibers of the QTip out. Tie a string on the end of it just in case the hook falls in.

[jetspeedz]

dental picks work great I did this once and it helped having them on hand. good luck

[fliparch]

Burn it to ash.

[Army]

There are reasons the Army says to not use Q-tips to clean. That's one.