Cleaning bar mk2 safari

[MidRoad]

Hey guys, picking up a bar mk2 safari in .243 I put on old at my lgs in the next few weeks. I'd like to do a teardown and complete cleaning of the rifle before shooting it. I've watched numerous videos on the process and am confident in my abilities to do it. I know your not supposed to put lube on the gas piston because it'll cause varnishing. So what would you recommend to clean the piston? I plan on using sweets down the barrel for a thorough clean and break free on everything else. Also is break free sufficient enough to lube the action bars and bolt? Or should I pick up another lube or oil to apply. I'm afraid of it getting to thick in cold weather and gumming up the action causing crappy feeding.

Any tips would be appreciated. Been reading a lot of mixed reviews on bars and hoping this rifle isn't going to give me troubles and that ill regret not buying another bolt action.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive only used them in warm weather, but the BARs ive shot have all been well lubed with whatevers handy interms of oil but all have run very well. Iuse alot of clp on all my guns. Id probably use a light coat of heavier lube or light a grease (i like superlube) on the action bars and springs, and and heavy contact action parts in warm weather, and a light oil when it got colder. Again tho besides spending a few hours at wandering around in the freezing rain on Maunakea ive never seen one used in cold weather.

 

[Snowbank!]

I have used BARs extensively since 1983. Mostly 06 and 7 mag. I clean with hoppes (intermittantly with the copper cleaner) and oil very lightly with rem oil. Use one drop on each bar cycle then wipe the excess off. I using hornady one shot on the outside with a spray and then wipe it off. It looks like the one shot may replace the rem oil. The mk2 is very forgiving and will take a beating and keep shooting even at 40 below. I have an older grade two from the 60s. use small base dies and it prefers nickel plated brass. It requires a little more care but all have killed a lot of elk.

 

[MidRoad]

Sweet,thanks for the pointers.

Have you cleaned the gas piston and if so what did you use? Just a brass brush? Or brush + solvent? I've read it's best to clean the barrel upside down to prevent solvents from getting in the gas system so would prefer not to do harm to it.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive never seen one cleaned upside down personally, always right side up some times my buddy even used a muzzle protector

 

[RainDodger]

I have the exact same rifle, also in .243. At present, I use an ultrasonic cleaner on the piston and it comes out looking like it's been chromed, it's so clean. Before I had the ultrasonic unit, I used a soft brass brush to clean it. You should look around and locate a Browning "Field Service Manual" (FSM) for the BAR - you should be able to find one easily. That will help you out. I have one piece of (unsolicited, I know!) advice for you... do not remove the red painted screw from the gas block. The head of the screw should have a dab of red paint on it. The FSM very clearly states that and I concur. I have a buddy that removed that screw and it was not an easy task to readjust the gas volume to get the rifle back operating 100%. Mine is a great shooting rifle and plenty accurate for a hunting rifle. Enjoy yours!

Edit: upside down? Really? Don't bother.

 

[MidRoad]

I have the exact same rifle, also in .243. At present, I use an ultrasonic cleaner on the piston and it comes out looking like it's been chromed, it's so clean. Before I had the ultrasonic unit, I used a soft brass brush to clean it. You should look around and locate a Browning "Field Service Manual" (FSM) for the BAR - you should be able to find one easily. That will help you out. I have one piece of (unsolicited, I know!) advice for you... do not remove the red painted screw from the gas block. The head of the screw should have a dab of red paint on it. The FSM very clearly states that and I concur. I have a buddy that removed that screw and it was not an easy task to readjust the gas volume to get the rifle back operating 100%. Mine is a great shooting rifle and plenty accurate for a hunting rifle. Enjoy yours!

Edit: upside down? Really? Don't bother.

I didn't even think of the ultrasonic cleaner! Im a service tech for John Deere dealership and I use them daily. And ill definitely keep that in mind about the screw.

 

[entropy]

I used either the ultrasonic, or 0000steel wool, and blew it off with the air hose.