Ever got a Qtip stuck in a gas key? I'm an idiot.

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ny32182

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The worst part is that I know it doesn't really need to be cleaned, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. :rolleyes: I stuck a Qtip into the gas key, and pulled it out with no cotton on the end.

I tried pushing it through into the carrier with a pipe cleaner, and got nothing so far.

I'm thinking there is about an 80% chance that a couple shots through it would vaporize this little piece of cotton, but if I'm wrong I bet that would be the end of the gas tube.

I guess worst case scenario I have to get a new gas key installed.

I doubt I'm the first one to do this... what should I do?
 
Haha! sorry I had to laugh...

Have you tried shooting some solvent in there, in hopes it would help the cotton slide out when you work the pipe cleaner?
 
It was already fairly wet. I think the real problem is negotiating the curve... my fear is that nothing stiff enough to get it through will be able to be "pre bent" to accomodate the curve, and still fit through the front. I also tried the Q-tip stick with the cotton removed; which is stiffer than the pipe cleaner, but that didn't work either. I'm guessing it is pretty well jammed in the curve right now.
 
Find one of those special pipe cleaners that the black powder guys use on their flash holes. It should get hooked on the q-tip piece and pull it out. Also, they'll work better on cleaning the gas key anyway. (though it still doesn't need it)

ac-1615.jpg
 
Alec said:
Try blowing it out with an air compressor if you have one. Worth a shot...
Click to expand...
If you have a compressor, this is a good option if it isn't stuck too bad. Block off the holes in the BCG and blow air in the bolt chamber, forcing the cotton out the way it came in.

You can also try a straightened fish hook. Put it in the key and twist a few times to get the cotton hung on the barb, then pull out.
 
I don't have an air compressor unfortunately...

The fish hook idea sounds like it might be a good one. I will see if I can find one today.
 
LOL..I've had to remove several of those over the years in the Armory....this is why I banned using Q-tips to clean a rifle with..don't need them to get a rifle clean.

Use a dental pick and just work on it and will come out. Failing that you will have to remove the key.

Now once it's out...throw AWAY the Q-tips and the long pipe cleaners for the gas tube..they ARE NOT NEEDED.

From now on just wipe it down with a rag and patches.
 
Qtips, I do love them, how else will you get inside the carrier and barrel extension? Pretty sure I've stuck one into the key for the last time though. This is the first time I've done that in quite a while... I originally stopped because I was scared of this exact thing happening. I never stick anything into the gas tube.
 
Use a GI Chamber brush for the extension then flush with WD40...it doesn't have to be spotless...

For the carrier use a 20gage shotgun brush or just use a rag twisted down into it..then rinse with WD40.

Thats it..no reason to get these rifles spotless since they are DI....just get the majority of it and don't sweat the little nooks and crannies...
 
ny32182 said:
Qtips, I do love them, how else will you get inside the carrier and barrel extension?
Click to expand...

Really, there is too much emphasis on getting rifles spotless for white gloves. When I want to clean out the carrier, I wrap a CLP wet cloth on a 5.56 stripper clip, push it in, twist a few times, and remove. That is more than is neccessary.
 
The lake is back up. :)

I'm guessing Ace hardware would have a fish hook? I will try that today; if it doesn't work I will take it over to the gunsmith and let him take a crack at it with his miriad of tools.

I would rather not replace the key since it looks like a $22 part, plus shipping, plus torque wrench, plus MOACKS tool...
 
You don't have to replace the key....unscrew it..clean it out then screw it back down tight then peen the screw heads just a smidge so they won't back out...nothing to it..

You should try a dental pick or small piece of wire to break it apart and pull it out.
 
The staking job on the key looks like something you'd only want to do once per key? Looks like it would be considerably compromised once it was un-done.
 
done it too

The AR tech manual I found recommends cleaning the carrier key with a worn bore cleaning brush or a pipe cleaner. Also under troubleshooting, problem: "Short recoil", check for: (among other things) "Q-Tip/pipe cleaner stuck inside carrier key", what to do: "Return rifle to armorer."

Uh, return to armorer if I want armorer to think I am an screwup. As a civilian I don't have an armorer, or I am my armorer, so I have to handle that myself. I use Q-tips to clean various corners and crevases in different guns. In my book Q-Tips are as useful as bamboo skewers in in gun cleaning, as in very useful. I have used Q-tips to clean the bolt carrier key of my son's AR. I have learned the hard way it is wise to check each new box of "cotton tip swabs" to make sure the cotton does not pull off easily. A paper clip straightened out and bent into an L or slight hook V about 2mm is useful to retreive detached Q-tip swaps from bolt carrier keys and for removing similar debris from similar confined places.
 
I've done that and my solution was easy. Take a dry wall screw ,1 1/4" long will do,screw it in by hand and then pull. Otherwise just shoot the rifle it will be blown out.
 
I was thinking a screw might work as well.

Hopefully this will get resolved tonight. Thanks for the ideas everyone.
 
LOL I have PLANNED to get cotton stuck in there often.

Fish hook! Dental pick! Stick it in the oven and roast it to dust (heat will be too low to affect the metal IMO)...
 
Take a worn bronze bore brush or sometime of similar make but smaller diameter. Push it into the gas key and give it a spin and remove. The bristles should catch cotton pretty easy if it is there to catch.

Second idea would be to buy a can of compressed air (since you don't have a air compressor) I think one of those two should work out for you.
 
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