Inside the AR bolt carrier

[TomKat]

It's literally been 30 years since my last AR, just bought one last week and put a few rounds through it. I broke it down to see how dirty it got and do a bit of cleaning, all went well but I noticed a small patch of carbon junk on the inside of the bolt carrier where I couldn't reach too well. I tried soaking it with CLP for 10 minutes and using my 9mm brush to reach back there and get it... also tried lightly scrapping it with a small screwdriver... it got better but is not completely gone. :banghead:

A few questions:
1. Does it really matter as long as the bolt itself is spotless?
2. Will I damage the carrier too badly by scrapping?
3. What methods to you use to get in there?

Any other words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated as well.

 

[Owen]

I wouldn't freak out about it

 

[TurtlePhish]

Don't worry about it. Just lube the BCG well and everything'll run fine.

You won't damage the carrier, just waste a lot of time.

If you want an idea of how dirty an AR can get and work fine, look up Bravo Company's Filthy 14.

 

[TomKat]

Thanks, that helps, I won't worry about then... especially after reading about #14, wow!

 

[meanmrmustard]

Or if it bugs you, sell it and buy an AKM moooahhahahahaaaa!!!

 

[back40]

as others have said, it's not an issue. lube and shoot.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I have a bolt carrier carbon scraper for just such an occasion.

 

[MrCleanOK]

1. Does it really matter as long as the bolt itself is spotless?
2. Will I damage the carrier too badly by scraping?
3. What methods to you use to get in there?

1. Doesn't matter, nor does the bolt. Lubrication is critical to function, cleaning just facilitates inspection for wear or damage.
2. You can damage any part by scraping. Whether or not you think surface finish is important or not is up to you. I think it is, and don't scrape anything.
3. When I have let enough firing residue accumulate in the bolt carrier, I get it out with a rag over the end of a CAT M4 tool. It's not perfect, but good enough. This is after many hundreds, or sometimes thousands of rounds.


Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

 

[blackwalnut]

RE: Inside the bolt carrier.....

Hey Tomkat Brownells sells a number of tools to safely and thoroughly the carbon out of the carrier in addition to the receiver, bolt and locking lug recesses on the AR.

Considering its method of operation i would not let carbon remain as it will only build up in my opinion. Clean it right and it shouldnt let you down.

I would do this first and then lube it properly.

Have fun and be safe.

The cleaning tools are located in the AR section which is in the front section of Brownells cataloge number 63. Pages 58-61 i believe.

Remember do it right.!!!!

 

[OilyPablo]

I use my "free" Glock nylon brushes for inside that area. I soak in Kroil for awhile or overnight. Black coked stuff pretty much comes out. But I'm not anal - once every six months or so and if it is rock hard it stays. If a guy was really nuts he would soak it in acetone. I'm not advising this.

 

[Ramone]

1] no.
2] Maybe. using a spent piece of brass (brass brass, not that steel brass) will help keep you from damaging the finish.
3] I use a spent case (for the tail of the bolt) and a nylon .30 cal chamber brush for the inside of the BCG.

IMX, it only builds up there to a certain level, and will not affect function.

the bolt tail is where the hot gases slow down and cool, so that's where the deposits are worst.

 

[madcratebuilder]

It's a non issue when lubed. Lube keeps the deposits soft and limits buildup. I well detail clean my BCG's maybe once a year or so with a cat4 tool.