How to lube new AR15?

[kostarae]

Hey yall,

I just purchased a S&W MP15 and this is my first AR15 and I have never even fired one.

I need to know what needs to be done before I start firing away?

I need BEGINNER instructions....since I dont know what parts are what----

How do I lube this puppy up?

I have Rem Oil....is this stuff good????


THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!

 

[bgeddes]

I have heard horror stories about about the Rem oil and have avoided it. All my cleaning is with Hoppe's and lube with CLP. I can't recall the brand of CLP but it smells just like the stuff Uncle Sam told me to use.

 

[FMF]

Welcome to the wonderful world of the AR. I also have a S&W M&P15. I was already familiar with the AR platform before my purchase (Mil) so it was easy to buy one for the home. But for a newb I'd say the best thing you can do is field strip it (several times), get any assembly lube off it and lightly oil all the moving surfaces (bolt and carrier, mostly).

There are many videos on YouTube explaining the breakdown in great detail. I've done it so much I bet I could do it blindfolded, lol. Get familiar with your rifle and keep it clean and she'll serve you well. Another suggestion would be to get a Bore-snake....waaaaay better than using a bunch of patches to clean the barrel.

Here's a vid (this guy has some great How-Tos):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btewvXGw8F0

good luck with your new purchase.

 

[Justin]

Hi kostarae,

Remoil will probably work ok, though I find that it's a little bit light/thin for my taste. I lean more towards using CLP or Tetra Gun Grease for lubricant and Hoppes #9 for cleaning.

I couldn't find an M&P Specific manual, however, this link will take you to a PDF of Armalite's AR15 manual. The instructions should be pretty much the same for field stripping the weapon as well as basic maintenance.

If this is a new rifle, the gun should have come with a manual that includes all of the relevant information for field stripping and cleaning the weapon.

As always, observe Jeff Cooper's Four Rules of Gun Safety when handling the weapon.

Feel free to ask if you have any other questions!

 

[bpl]

Breakfree CLP

 

[kostarae]

Thanks for the CLP recommendation.

I will pick some up at Wally tomorrow.

Will it be ok to shoot Brown Bear through this rifle or should I stick with strictly brass?

 

[Kind of Blued]

You could probably find something online to explain everything considering the rifles are in such "common use" .

If you have some sense about you, taking it apart and staring at it will probably explain what everything does. Consequently, it shouldn't be hard to figure out what will need lubrication. Anywhere that metal is moving along metal.

Have fun with it, and be safe.

 

[kostarae]

Is it ok to have her lubed up in storage or should it remain dry until its ready to shoot?

Will it damage the gun to shoot 200 rounds through it and NOT clean it or will it damage it the steel/barrel????

 

[ugaarguy]

Will it be ok to shoot Brown Bear through this rifle or should I stick with strictly brass?

It should run steel case ammo fine. You might wear the extractor out faster, but you'd have saved more on ammo than the cost of a new extractor long before you wore it out. The foreign made steel case stuff tends to use cheap powder and burn dirty. Just keep the bolt carrier group wet and you should be ok.

Is it ok to have her lubed up in storage or should it remain dry until its ready to shoot?

I keep my guns lightly lubed with Break Free CLP or M-Pro 7 CLP at all times. When I shoot I run the bolts wet. The M-Pro 7 stuff is expensive, but it's non toxic, and I'd gotten picky about that stuff because I don't want to accidentally expose my little niece to any residue on clothing like boots and belts that are worn all the time and not washed like shirts & pants.

Will it damage the gun to shoot 200 rounds through it and NOT clean it or will it damage it the steel/barrel????

My local class III dealer / manufacturer recommended at least 500 rounds before initial cleaning for hard chromed AR barrels. You might ask over on AR15.com and see what the gurus there say.

 

[kostarae]

thanks ugaarguy...you are a great help on all my questions
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In the SW manual, it states that the gun needs to be cleaned and lubed prior to shooting as they use some kind of preservative oil.

Should I ignore this....it seems like I should follow these instructions.

I'm pretty anal about doing things right.

Which parts should be kept the most lubed (wet) and which areas need just light coats???

Can I use the CLP to clean the gun as the factory recommends???

 

[taliv]

why in the world would you need 500 rnds prior to cleaning? did he explain that ugaarguy?

 

[tkcomer]

Just push the front and rear pins out until they hit the detent and remove the upper from the lower. Might need a plastic pin to push on them to get them started if the gun is real tight. Pull the bolt assembly out along with the charge handle. Get your cleaning rod and just run a few patches of your favorite cleaning solution to get the preservative out of the barrel. It won't take much. Take the bolt apart and clean it also. Spray the parts with CLP or you favorite lube. I like CLP for the bolt, but have used Rem Oil. It does fine if you don't shoot too many rounds through it. Put it all back together and go play. Make sure the bolt is pulled out from the carrier before you put it back in the gun so it will seat properly. Don't be surprised if it jams a few times. That's just the parts wearing in. Takes about 200 rounds to get it broken in right. AR15.com, in the AR-15 section has a lot of info. Head on over there and do some reading. They even have a cleaning section. Have fun with your new toy.