Solvents Entering the AR’s Gas Tube

[Mikee Loxxer]

I have recently plunged into the world of the AR rifle and have a question about cleaning. I want to be sure that I do not damage the gas tube when using solvents. Gun Slick foaming bore cleaner ( a product which I find very effective) is not recommended by the manufacturer for use in gas powered semi-automatic rifles. My guess is that the reason for this is that it would enter the gas tube and be difficult to remove. This foaming bore cleaner seems to have a copped solvent as one of it’s components. I would imagine that Gun Slick does not want users introducing a copper solvent into the gas tube and causing damage. Does this sound correct?

If that is the case what experience do other members have using copper solvents (Barnes CR10, Sweets, Etc) on the bores of AR rifles? Do we have to worry about not being able to remove these powerful solvents from the gas tube?

 

[Birdhunter1]

I have used foaming bore cleaner on MY ar a few times and never seemed to have an issue withit. Of course I normally take an air hose and blow through the tube and to my knowledge nothing has ever come out.

Sweets is something I have used alot of, as long as you keep your barrel positioned where the gas port is up nothing should get into it.

 

[rcmodel]

All gas tubes are made from a very good grade of stainless-steel, and bore cleaner will not harm them.

The only major risk is leaving the gas tube full of liquid bore cleaner and then firing the rifle.

Liquid cannot be compressed like a gas, and a tube full of liquid would give the bolt carrier one heck of a hard whack!

Just be sure the rifle is stood muzzle up or down long enough for any liquid to drain out of the gas tube / bolt key and there would be no other possible harm.

rc

 

[carbine85]

I asked the same question several years ago over on AR15.com and got blasted for it. I was told it was totally unnecessary and a waste of time. I bought the long pipe cleaners to clean it and was told it was a waste of money. I haven't done it or used them since. I believe most guys just leave them alone. I guess time will tell.

 

[rcmodel]

+1 on that.

There is no reason to stick a pipe-cleaner up your gas tube.

Gas tubes are self-cleaning for the life of the rifle.

And a stuck or broken off pipe-cleaner is a leading cause of gas-tube replacements being necessary.

rc

 

[briansmithwins]

I've used BreakFree foaming bore cleaner multiple times in 2 ARs. I didn't do anything special to prevent the foam from going in the gas tube, nor did I use brake cleaner spray down the gas tube to clear it.

The BF foam does a great job on both copper fouling and carbon.

I've had no problems. BSW

 

[wrs840]

The gas tubes on my SKSs come off for cleaning, folks say don't oil them, so I only rarely do, but then wipe them dry inside with clean patches. Is this bad/ wrong?

Les