[Mr_Clean]

Newbe here. I just purchased a Bushy CAR15 and zeroed the sights in to a 1.5" grouping at 50 yds. Now i wnat to cl;ean it, but I don't know if there are any "dont's" or recommended procedures when it comes to cleaning chrome-lined barrels. Anyone care to enlight me?

[stevemis]

Just use regular barrel cleaning products and you'll be fine.

[Mr_Clean]

Hoppe's #9 Copper Solvent also Ok to use? What about the Hoppes brass brush?

[ultradoc]

I just got a DPMS AR. It doesn't have a chromed barrel. Is a non chrome barrel ok for a weekend shooter that doesn't shoot much? And should I shoot non corrosive ammo?

[FullEffect1911]

Hoppe's #9 Copper Solvent also Ok to use? What about the Hoppes brass brush?

From what I understand Hoppe's #9 (or any cleaner with ammonia) is bad to use on nickel, as it attacks the copper "under layer" and then lifts the nickle. I found this on a google search. Someone actually contacted Hoppes about this question. So apparently it isn't great for chrome either.

For a definitive answer I called Hoppe’s (Subsidiary of Bushnell). This is what their response was:
Hoppe’s #9 is a safe solvent for all guns. However, prolonged contact with nickel, chrome or aluminum is not recommended with any Hoppe’s solvents. In addition chrome or aluminum should not be soaked or submerged in any Hoppe’s solvent. The reason is that the slightest scratch or nick in the plating, the solvents will penetrate the flaw and dissolve the underlying copper substrate & cause the chrome/nickel plating to chip & peel further. Therefore, when using on plated or lined items keep the solvent to a minimum.

Basically, as explained to me when applying Hoppe’s solvent to an AR platform the applicable parts should be wiped dry.

Hoppe’s does contain a water based Ammonia however, it is diluted.

So no prolonged exposure, wipe it out dry and you'll be fine.

As far as the brush, that will be no problem at all. Industrial Chrome coatings are extremely hard, and that brush has just about no chance to score it.

I just got a DPMS AR. It doesn't have a chromed barrel. Is a non chrome barrel ok for a weekend shooter that doesn't shoot much? And should I shoot non corrosive ammo?

Non chrome barrels are supposed to not last quite as long as a chromed one, however they are supposed to have slightly better accuracy too.

The chrome bore also helps prevent corrosion and provides a slicker surface to clean. And it works well for that. You probably will never notice the difference one way or another. In a combat rifle however, I would go for Chrome.

Non-Corrosive ammo is always a good bet. Just do proper cleaning practices and you'll be perfectly fine with your DPMS.

[Mr_Clean]

Thanks...good info!

[rcmodel]

And should I shoot non corrosive ammo?There is no such thing as corrosive 5.56 NATO, or commercial .223 Rem. ammo.

Corrosive primers went by the wayside in the U.S. military in the early 1950's, well before the 5.56 NATO was invented. All 5.56 NATO spec ammo is non-corrosive and always has been.

You can clean a chrome-lined barrel with Hoppes #9, or CLP, or any other good bore cleaner. I have used nothing but Hoppes #9 in my 1970 Colt SP-1, and the chrome hasn't been damaged yet in 38 years!

Just get done & run a dry patch through it when you finish.
As long as you don't pour the barrel full of Sweet's Copper Solvent and leave it soak six days you will be fine.

Mil-Spec chrome lining is not at all the same thing as your typical 1950's car bumper chrome.

BTW: Every grunt in the armed forces is issued bronze bore-brushes to clean their M-16's with, so no, it won't hurt the bore!

rcmodel

[jhansman]

Most copper-removing solvents contain ammonia, which can harm chrome, but if you use it wisely, no harm will come to your barrel. I use Butch's Bore Shine in my Saiga .223 and it all it has yet done is leave the barrel un-coppered and squeaky clean. The 'secret'? Don't leave the solvent in the barrel more than a few minutes. Long enough to do the job, but not long enough to do harm. Swab out with Hoppes No. 9 or similar solvent and dry patch it.

[ranger335v]

"Hoppe's #9 Copper Solvent also Ok to use? What about the Hoppes brass brush?"

Those ARE among the most common of our common bore cleaning methods. Meaning, they will do fine.

Chromed bores are hard chromed. It's NOT the same process as car bumper and trim chrome and there is no underlying layer of copper.

[ranger335v]

"Hoppe's #9 Copper Solvent also Ok to use? What about the Hoppes brass brush?"

Those ARE among the most common of our common bore cleaning methods. Meaning, they will do fine.

Chromed bores are hard chromed. It's NOT the same process as car bumper and trim chrome and there is no underlying layer of copper.

Ammonia residue will harm steel barrels so that's why we shouldn't allow it to remain in place until the ammonia dries. A few minutes of wet gets only copper, leave it in a half hour and it can dry enough to etch a bore.

[yooper_sjd]

most chromed barrels are chromed to help dissipate the heat from multiple shoots, or rapid shooting. Wears longer. A little tip told to me was to use a nylon bristle bore brush vice the copper/brass bore brush. Supposedly the wire brush bore brushes are suppose to be equal to firing 7 rnds per push of the metalic bore brush. But barrels are ment to fire in 10k round area. your weapon, your choice of cleaning implant. Me, i use wire bore brush only when firing over a 100 rds. other than than, a light weight oil and alot of old cotton t-shirt squares. don't care at all for the paper lens cleaning patches. Old sock's and t-shirts for me.

[rcmodel]

Supposedly the wire brush bore brushes are suppose to be equal to firing 7 rnds per push of the metalic bore brush.
I call Malarkey on that right there!

Using a bronze bore-brush, lubricated with any kind of cleaning solvent, is not going to do one iota of harm to any modern center-fire rifle bore.

Especially a chrome-lined one!

If they were at all hard on barrels, the military wouldn't still be using them after probably a 100 years or more!

rcmodel

[buttrap]

The main deal with a chrome bore is to not clean it much when its new so the things will lap in and smooth up from firing. Only reasion I clean one is habbit or if there is some copper in there. I just put copper solvent in one and let it sit then run a stainless brush trough it a time or two and call it good.

[yenchisks]

what will remove chrome from you're barrel,are whats a good thing to stay away from?

[rcmodel]

I'd stay away from stainless bore brushes.

They will scratch a bore!

Use a nylon brush with copper solvent.
Use a bronze brush with common cleaning solvents.

The only time I use stainless brushes is to remove 100 years of old corrosion from barrels that are already too far gone to matter.

rcmodel