I need help - I think I ruined my brand new AR15...

[Sean Dempsey]

So I got the Colt AR15 .223 on Saturday, and just today got some bore cleaner and a AR15 .223 cleaning kit.

The kit had a pull-cord with a screw-in copper brush, and an eyelet for putting a pad through and pulling it through.

So, just to clear the debris, I attach the copper brush and pull it through, no problem.

Then, I attach the eyelet and put a pad through it and soak it with bore cleaner. I get the cord through, and start to pull, and it sticks.

So I give it a good pull, and it's not budging. I can see the wadded pad, it looks to be just inside the barrel where the cartridge narrows. I can't really get it with tweezers or anything else.

So, I've tried pushing it back out, but the cord is too flexibe. So I tried pushing it through, since it's the right size cleaner (like the copper brush), i figured that it HAD to go through.

Still nothing.

So it's been about an hour now of me feeling like the worlds biggest retard, and I have no idea what to do. I have the upper separated from the lower, and the bold removed so I can look straight down the barrel.

But I don't know what to do. The little eyelet and pad are stuck and I cannot seem to budge them either way, I even grabbed the cord with vise-grips, and the metal wire in the cord started to fray.


Did I just toss a thousand bucks into the toilet?

 

[fletcher]

I doubt you ruined it, but it may need a trip to the gunsmith.

But first, I'd get a dowel and try to push it out.

 

[jerkface11]

Get a real cleaning rod and use it to knock the thing out.

 

[briansmithwins]

Does the patch golder screw into the cable?

Unscrew it and use a rod to punch out the stuck patch.

BSW

 

[For Freedom]

Get someone to help you and pull it as hard as you can. This is actually a common problem. I've had it happen to me a few times. Just pull on it, it'll fly out once you put enough force into it.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

I can't get the cable to unscrew off the end, I've tried and tried to unscrew it, but the cable just twists and doesn't move the brass end, so it's gonna be tough to get a dowel in there with the cable in the way, but I am gonna try that.

So frustrating. Well, I guess the frustrating part is wondering what damage I did to my chamber trying to get it out... I'm too embarrassed to even tell you some of the things I did.

 

[Jeff F]

If its right there in the chamber and a cotton patch I might stand it upright and soak it with a little lighter fluid and then touch it off with a match and burn it out.

 

[Full Clip]

Try from the other end...

 

[lee n. field]

But first, I'd get a dowel and try to push it out.

Yup. If necessary, a brass rod from Menards and a hammer to tap/whack it through.

<sarc>Or send the gun to me for disposal.</sarc>

 

[green country shooter]

I doubt you hurt the chamber. The obstruction is probably made from brass, which is softer than your barrel. But be careful pushing a rod through it.

 

[strambo]

I had this happen to my M4 a couple weeks ago...I looped the cable around my boot standing on it...and YANKED! It worked.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

I got it out with a hard pull, good advice.

I Wrapped the cord around a huge wrench a few times, then held the gun between my legs and pulled up with all my might. It popped and then slid out. Never would have guessed that it could be pulled that hard.

Thanks. I feel pretty dumb, but oh well. Live and learn.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

You could have done some damage to the barrel, but it should work fine still...

 

[Bennnn-the real one.]

Check your sig line for the lesson,,, lol,,,, but don't let your location get you "down"


I couldn't resist,,,, glad you got it taken care of though...

 

[blkbrd666]

Why does everyone insist on using the "field kit" to clean their gun??? Go get a regular cleaning rod...it does a much better job and it's easier.

 

[rangerruck]

if the dowel doesn't work , burn that sucker out...

 

[Picard]

He said that he already got it out.

 

[strambo]

I got it out with a hard pull, good advice.

Your welcome...any problems, just ask a grunt...we've probably screwed it up before.

I still prefer the nylon covered cable to the traditional sectioned rod. Easier on the bore and more compact to carry in a kit.

 

[Jst1mr]

Don't feel bad...

Here's my first experience some while back w/ a new AR (the entire platform new to me): Eagerly reading instructions for takedown ("drive out takedown pin above and behind trigger"), but not heeding the instructional photos, I proceeded to drive out the trigger pin, and the disconnector fell out in my lap before I could see how it fit in there ....my sausage-fingers were unable to reach in and fit the part where I believed it to go (no schematics provided), so I thought I would drive out the other pin and remove the trigger assembly completely to work on it. As the pin cleared, the hammer launched 3-4ft in the air and landed on my shoulder. After a few tries, I got it figured out how to install the spring to load the hammer, got that pin back in, then fought thru several attempts to get the disconnector back in and aligned enough to drive the pin back in to retain it Bottom line: pay attention to the book and tread not where the instructions stop! The AR ain't no 870!

 

[SSN Vet]

learn how to properly use the round patches with the six slits....

watch the video that comes with the Otis kit.

which hole you poke the eye through and where you make your pinch determines how large the "knot" of patch is.

 

[jrinfoley]

I had a bore snake stuck in my AR 15. In desperation I took the upper outside and tied the bore snake around the trailer hitch ball on my truck and pulled as hard as I could. It pulled out and I found out it was stuck due to a knot in the bore snake!

 

[Avenger29]

Alright. Buy a one piece coated Dewey rod and a proper jag. And some good quality patches, a quality bore brush, and a bore guide.

Buy the proper tools for cleaning your rifle. The AR-15 makes it very easy for you to clean from the rear, with the easily removed BCG.

 

[Walkalong]

Sinclair AR 15 Cleaning Tools page

 

[ocabj]

Nothing beats a good cleaning rod.

I like Dewey coated and Pro Shot stainless steel rods.

 

[Aka Zero]

A full patch usually has to be cut down to fit through a .22 sized hole. It's a mistake you only need to make once.

Gun is fine. Look up how much pressure .556 generates.