AR 15s need lots of maintenance to run well huh?

[Podmonkey]

I have a confession to make. After that last enormous range session I had last month, where I shot about 750 rounds, I did not bother cleaning my AR. At all.
Took it out today and put 660 rounds through. With the only maintenance being squirting some oil in it before I headed out, and not even a hnit of a hiccup. I probably have near 3k rounds through it and I can count the stoppages on one hand. Daniel Defense builds a tank of a rifle!

 

[kev74]

1,410 rounds in 2 trips makes my wallet hurt!

I'm jealous! This one's for you.

 

[Podmonkey]

1,410 rounds in 2 trips makes my wallet hurt!

I'm jealous! This one's for you.

Keep in mind that this represents 2 months of shooting. I only get to go to the range once a month, so I gotta cram it all in one day. I'd rather shoot 200 or so once a week and focus on one specific gun and one specific goal. As it is I spend a few hours on the rifle matches and a few hours on the pistol matches and then a few hours just plinking or otherwise ballistically farting around.

 

[spat]

A good AR can be plenty reliable, and does not need excessive maintenance, but it can never be as "stored in a mud puddle for 20 years" reliable as an AK.

 

[Bananabandit]

Really...couldnt just shoot 6 more?

 

[Frankly]

Really...couldnt just shoot 6 more?

less than 1% error....

 

[Podmonkey]

A good AR can be plenty reliable, and does not need excessive maintenance, but it can never be as "stored in a mud puddle for 20 years" reliable as an AK.

AK reliability is a myth. In the sense you have listed.

 

[UltraT]

AK reliability is a myth. In the sense you have listed.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

My suppressed select fire m4 has never been cleaned. I add some slip 2000 EWL to it occasionally. I think i did the form 2 on 9/21/16.

I even shoot crappy steel case throught it, just cause.

Not sure how many rounds are on it. I let everyone at the last two 3 gun matches shoot it until they we outta ammo. Dr evil even held the button down for a while.

3-4k for sure.

 

[Podmonkey]

I did clean my rifle yesterday, I didn't spend a whole lot of time on it, just wiped the carbon off with Hoppes soaked patches, oiled the bore and punched with a bore snake twice and regreasedbthe bolt and carrier. Spent 10 minutes on it.
I find that since using grease the carbon just mixes with it and doesn't get caked on anything. My guns represent a very sizable portion of my money, I do try maintain them.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Here is my 3 gun rifle. Last time i cleaned it was 18 months ago.

I build em to run!

If it aint broke......

 

[Eddie Gunks]

and regreasedbthe bolt and carrier. Spent 10 minutes on it.
I find that since using grease the carbon just mixes with it and doesn't get caked on anything.

Absolute WORST thing you could do is grease a bcg! The carbon sticks to it and acts as an abrasive.

The instructor at my armor's class showed me a bolt , when they were finally able to remove it, from a guy who used grease. The tail shaft of the bolt was entirely wore off, absolutely destroyed. It required extreme amounts of force to get the bolt carrier out of the rifle as it was totally seized up. The tail shaft was wore off, The rings were worn off. the part on the shaft that held the rings was worn down it was totally destroyed. I wish I could find the photos.

Do yourself a favor, do not use grease on your boat carrier group. It also changes the viscosity when it gets cold and it may not run right in freezing temperatures. I witness that myself at several of our Jan 1 rifle matches, guys Guns would not run because of the grease on them.

 

[Podmonkey]

I get some enjoyment spending a little time cleaning my guns though. Its a good time to inspect for wearnornother issues. For instance my bolt now fails the "stand on the bolt face and not collapse" test now. Its still is running strong though. Nonetheless when I get back I'll likely replacenthe gas rings, though it does seen early to replace them at only 3k or so rounds.

 

[Podmonkey]

Absolute WORST thing you could do is grease a bcg! The carbon sticks to it and acts as an abrasive.

I've heard it both ways. I never used to use grease but I'm trying it out. I only use an extremely thin coat. The bolt and carrier wiped clean with just a rag.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

I get some enjoyment spending a little time cleaning my guns though. Its a good time to inspect for wearnornother issues. For instance my bolt now fails the "stand on the bolt face and not collapse" test now. Its still is running strong though. Nonetheless when I get back I'll likely replacenthe gas rings, though it does seen early to replace them at only 3k or so rounds.

Replace them.

If you enjoy cleaning guns, come clean mine.

I have found rings need to read be replaced very early on. I think this could be traced back to the 2013 and 2014 run on A.R. 15 parts. I think that their quality control suffered during this time. I too have replaced many low round count rings, from guns manufactured during that time, and from parts manufacture during that time.

That being said I have my rings in my guns (rings were bought before 2013) none have needed to be replaced, On either of the two above rifles. And I abuse them with high around counts, plenty a heat, and general neglect.

 

[Podmonkey]

Replace them.

If you enjoy cleaning guns, come clean mine.

I have found rings need to read be replaced very early on. I think this could be traced back to the 2013 and 2014 run on A.R. 15 parts. I think that their quality control suffered during this time. I too have replaced many low round count rings, from guns manufactured during that time, and from parts manufacture during that time.

That being said I have my rings in my guns (rings were bought before 2013) none have needed to be replaced, On either of the two above rifles. And I abuse them with high around counts, plenty a heat, and general neglect.

I do run my gun very hard. I was complimented on it by a another shooter on the range, said was nice to see a gun like a Daniel Defense with signs of hard use on it. I'll get the barrel so hot I just can't hang onnto the guard anymore. Flash hider is discolored in places. I've come to appreciate the patina the worn finish is developing.

 

[Shadow2]

There are zero positives to letting a semi auto build up filth ... only negatives with occur. I can run my car for 10,000 miles without an oil change, That doesn't mean it's a good habit.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

There are zero positives to letting a semi auto build up filth ... only negatives with occur. I can run my car for 10,000 miles without an oil change, That doesn't mean it's a good habit.

sure there is......not having to clean it. That is a positive.

Oh! btw, fwiw, my car's manufacturer maintenance schedule says change the oil every 10,000 miles.....what about that? .

 

[Uzi]

Can't say I've ever heard anyone say that ar-15's are high maintenance. I don't mind cleaning mine though, I like the surface finishes looking nice and clean and not clogged up with shit. Not oiling my bolt carrier group was the only reason one of my ar builds was double feeding, and not going into battery and helped break in the rifle to function flawlessly. I like lubing the shit out of every gun.

 

[Deplorable Me]

S.W.A.T. MAGAZINE – KEEP YOUR CARBINE RUNNING : Slip 2000 Official Blog
We may have a riot on our hands shortly.

 

[4excal]

Keep in mind that this represents 2 months of shooting. I only get to go to the range once a month, so I gotta cram it all in one day. I'd rather shoot 200 or so once a week and focus on one specific gun and one specific goal. As it is I spend a few hours on the rifle matches and a few hours on the pistol matches and then a few hours just plinking or otherwise ballistically farting around.

How come only once a month? With all your cross country driving isn't there any time to take a tad for yourself in any of the free states or the ones you'd be legal in to do alittle range action?

 

[Eddie Gunks]

S.W.A.T. MAGAZINE – KEEP YOUR CARBINE RUNNING : Slip 2000 Official Blog
We may have a riot on our hands shortly.

That is what i use. Slip2000 EWL

 

[Shadow2]

you must have one of those Japanese 4 bangers ... book says 10k dealer says 5, I too have a 4 banger that says 10k, but i change it 5-6 ... why? because you do things when you can, thetime you can't get too it will be the time you need it the most and the extra cushion is most valuable.

simply put guns should be ready to go the distance all the time.

sure there is......not having to clean it. That is a positive.

Oh! btw, fwiw, my car's manufacturer maintenance schedule says change the oil every 10,000 miles.....what about that? .

 

[Podmonkey]

How come only once a month? With all your cross country driving isn't there any time to take a tad for yourself in any of the free states or the ones you'd be legal in to do alittle range action?

How ami I supposed to do that with no guns? I have to drive through ban states all the time. Not to mention that most of the time I have only time to eat and sleep, and in those ocassuins wherebI do have extra down time its not likely therenisna range nearby. I would like to head to SLC and takeba daynto check the new, super fancy indoor range out there though.

 

[4excal]

How ami I supposed to do that with no guns? I have to drive through ban states all the time. Not to mention that most of the time I have only time to eat and sleep, and in those ocassuins wherebI do have extra down time its not likely therenisna range nearby. I would like to head to SLC and takeba daynto check the new, super fancy indoor range out there though.

you can travel anywhere in the country with your guns in your vehicle. You just need to do it correctly and legally as specified by the interstate law.
NRA-ILA | Guide To The Interstate Transportation Of Firearms

 

[Deplorable Me]

Some of those pictures look like my brother's ex-wives cooking.

 

[Podmonkey]

you can travel anywhere in the country with your guns in your vehicle. You just need to do it correctly and legally as specified by the interstate law.
NRA-ILA | Guide To The Interstate Transportation Of Firearms

At no point could I bring my NY naughty AR into NYS.
"The exceptions to this rule apply mainly to transportation of handguns and so-called “assault weapons.”

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

A nickel boron BCG makes all the difference. But I learned long ago that guns don't need to be constantly cleaned. It's nice to have them cleaned but not necessary. Especially not the way the average shooter will use them.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

@Podmonkey

You/any gun can drive through nys if they are properly stored.

 

[4excal]

@Podmonkey

You/any gun can drive through nys if they are properly stored.

He didn't wanna hear it from me