Bushy M4 cleaning

[janobles14]

quick question. how often should i clean the gas tube on my M4? i always clean the bore, carrier, bolt and frame after i shoot. should i clean out the tube as well every time? also, what should i use? just spray some CLP in there or get some long cleaner thing?

 

[taliv]

gas tube: never
bore, carrier, bolt and frame: when you get exceedingly bored, or 3000 rnds, whichever comes first

 

[Onmilo]

Don't spray anything into the gas tube and don't go shoving anything in there either.
At ten bucks or so, if you are worried about the gas tube, just replace it every five thousand rounds or so.

 

[janobles14]

wow thats 2 nevers! only reason i ask is because one of my cops (im a hand to hand trainer for them) said to clean it but just never said how often.

 

[taliv]

do a search on something like "cleaning gas tube" or something. you will find hundreds of threads on the topic on most gun-related forums. most of the threads will follow this general pattern:

OP: "i replaced my drill-bit with pipe cleaners so i could clean the gas tube faster. my drill is variable speed. what setting should I use?"

gunnut1: "dude, stop sticking things in the gas tube. it doesn't need cleaning and you'll get something stuck in there.

OP: "but my brother's roommate was a Marine and he said they spit-shined the inside of the tube until they could see their reflection in it."

gunnut2: "yes, we know. some people still believe that."

gunnut3: "it's dark in there. how can they see their reflection?"

gunnut2: "why do you think Sergeant Majors carry 120 lumen flashlights?"

gunnut1: "and while you're not cleaning the gas tube, leave the bolt tail alone too."

 

[Dienekes]

Mine remains untouched in 3K rounds and will stay that way. The rest of the rifle gets a standard decent cleanup GI style and plenty of lube. My Colt CAR-15, the same.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Your AR15 gas tube is self cleaning. Don't try to clean it at all.