AR-15 Bolt Cleaning

[dart368]

My buddy used to use a synthetic steel wool to clean his bolt. It used to get off all of the carbon and made it look nice and shiny.

Is this an acceptable way to get the carbon off or would it do damage to the bolt? I got to admit, it did look quite nice.

[kcstott]

So long as all it does is remove the carbon and not any steel it's fine.

Ultra sonic cleaners with an alkaline base are the best i've seen so far. quick easy clean and not a lot of scrubbing. just damn expensive.

[FrankSoCal]

Too much work.

I soak in Splip 2000 Carbon Killer for about 15 minutes followed up by a minute with a toothbrush.

I was doing the same with a Ruger SSSix cylinder and being older than many I walked off and didn't remember for close to an hour and found that it had changed the bluing greatly--but it sure was clean.

[kcstott]

I soak in Splip 2000 Carbon Killer for about 15 minutes followed up by a minute with a toothbrush.

I was doing the same with a Ruger SSSix cylinder and being older than many I walked off and didn't remember for close to an hour and found that it had changed the bluing greatly--but it sure was clean.

Yeah you need to be careful with that stuff. Even sweets 762 is a bit bad for blueing.

I get in there and dig with a dental pic then wash in solvent and lightly oil.
I wire wheel the rear of the bolt carefully but wire wheel none the less. makes fast work of the carbon. I'd really like to get a gas piston kit and be done with the bolt cleaning crap.

[mhho]

I have the G&G AR-15 bolt cleaner and polisher and it is fast, easy, and effective.

http://www.gngtools.com/gngboltcleanerandpolisher.aspx

Chemicals and elbow grease work too but not as fast or easy. One can always put their favorite chemicals on the cleaning pad of the G&G unit if they must use chemicals in the cleaning process.

[Mail Clerk]

My buddy used to use a synthetic steel wool to clean his bolt. It used to get off all of the carbon and made it look nice and shiny.

Is this an acceptable way to get the carbon off or would it do damage to the bolt? I got to admit, it did look quite nice.

dart368,

Unless your shoot a hell of allot of ammo yearly it's just not necessary to continually scrape every bit of carbon off. I'd rather you try MP-Pro7 and soak it instead. Besides they have tools now a days that can scrape carbon off your bolt carrier/bolt. For myself all I need is a little solvent and a plastic brush.

Mail Clerk

[caboom]

I use an empty .45 Colt cartridge. Slip it over the end of the bolt and rock it from the inside edge out to scrape off the carbon. Does a great job quickly, and was cheap, without fear of harm to the bolt. Check your local shooting area for different empties that may work.

[mhho]

caboom, that is a great idea!

[dart368]

Awesome ideas. Thanks.