how to clean an ar-15 after shooting corrosive ammo???

[kevin]

What needs to be done to clean an ar-15 after shooting corrosive ammo? I have been shooting 5.45 ammo lately. I also will be receiving a 7.62x25 complete upper soon. I know the basics but what about the gas tube. They are stainless steel i assume but i know stainless can still rust and corrode. Are they chromed instead? Can you easily replace a gas tube yourself if it was to corrode?

[drine]

Gas tube is pretty much self cleaning. They can be replaced with a little effort if something happens to it. I would think immediate, normal cleaning would be fine. Taking Windex to the range and rinsing it down sounds like a good idea. You have me wondering how corrosive ammo would attack the aluminum. Same/more/less than steel. There are so many nooks and crannies and hiding spots on the AR it takes extra time to clean it. Not speaking from experience but that's why the Windex bath sounds good. It will get into places you can't see.

[BIG 54R]

hey Kev where are you getting an AR upper in 7.62x25 from?

and are you using the S&W 5.45x39 upper to shoot the lil russian in at the moment, if not which gun or upper are you using for the 5.45x39?

I'm definitely interested in the x25 info!

when the upper gets to you please post some pix.:airtight:

[weasel_master]

DO NOT USE WINDEX ON CHROME!

The point of using windex is the ammonia in it. But I believe you shouldn't use ammonia on chrome lined barrels.

[19Charlie_84]

Gun Scrubber, and lots of it.

[kevin]

i typically use homemade ed's red and then half a dozen passes with hoppes and wipe everything with hoppes when done. I never have used windex on anything, i dont like putting water on guns except for my muzzleloaders.

I got the smith and wesson 5.45 upper before the big panic and paid under 500 for it. The 7.62x25 upper will be a 16 inch barrel flat top. It runs on gas. it is being built by ron willson at ar-15.com

pics here:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=121&t=448879

[brewskzilla]

#1 to GunScrubber. Birchwood Casey makes a fine product. Just make sure you use it in a well-ventilated area, or you'll asphixiate yourself... Also, if you get it on your skin, wash it off immediately. It WILL burn you. Good old fashioned Brake cleaner does the job, too. Truth be told, I think they are the same thing.

[97th Signalman]

Ammonia is not a neccessary component to clean up after using corrosive ammo. Water is. It will neutralize the salts and that is what you need to do. Hot and soapy is better yet. Stay away from ammonia products and don't worry about it. Some of the Shooters Choice products are water-based synthetics and will work fine. Or, if you can find some of the old GI bore cleaner (WWII type) it was designed for this purpose.

[Buelligan]

I use WD40 and a tooth brush ,chamber brush, pipe cleaners and bore snake, and MILLITEC lube . The wd40 just is a fast clean, then I go at it with the MILLITEC.

[drine]

Confused:icon_neutral:. I first heard about Windex here, now I hear not to use Windex. The Mosin's are my only rifles that shoot corrosive and I haven't shot them in a while. Back up and punt time.

[Buelligan]

I think windex is bad on CHROME .Drine its fine for your MN .

[BIG 54R]

Kev ya got contact info for Ron wilson?
I'm not on ar15.


i typically use homemade ed's red and then half a dozen passes with hoppes and wipe everything with hoppes when done. I never have used windex on anything, i dont like putting water on guns except for my muzzleloaders.

I got the smith and wesson 5.45 upper before the big panic and paid under 500 for it. The 7.62x25 upper will be a 16 inch barrel flat top. It runs on gas. it is being built by ron willson at ar-15.com

pics here:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=121&t=448879

[DAT19K]

drine i have used water and windex followed by normal cleaning with solvent/lube of your choice over the years after shooting corrosive ammo in my mn's. as stated before the water/windex is just to neutralize salts.

7.62x52 upper sounds like fun. i'll stay tuned for more info.

[wonderwolf]

Confused:icon_neutral:. I first heard about Windex here, now I hear not to use Windex. The Mosin's are my only rifles that shoot corrosive and I haven't shot them in a while. Back up and punt time.

lol its like eggs, They tell us they are good for us then they tell us they aren't.

I have cleaned my Mosin nagant and CZ-52 with windex (off brand though). Somebody with a chemistry background would be able to explain whats going on with the ammonia and chrome. A quick google search shows that ammonia eats it away but if you use it responsibly you can get away with it. I had not thought about the ammonia eating chrome away. My two AR's do not have chrome lined barrels though, I used to use sweets to clean them now I use kroil for the general cleaning and if there is copper fouling I move to something that will take care of the copper.

[drine]

Good point, well taken. We used to flush laser de-ionizing systems with bleach to kill/clean anything in it. (As per the manufacturer) Nothing lives in DI water and as it turns out bleach and aluminum react making some kind of chloride gas that is toxic but also corrosive. We stopped.
I do like learning things on this site and this windex bit has been a new lesson. Plus, like me, I hope most folks don't jump at the first reply. I like to get the consensus then formulate my own plan. So for all out there, don't be shy in adding your plus ones, me too, or alternate ways. It helps those with questions feel secure knowing many people answer their questions.

[walt-oxie1]

For corrosive clean up I use either Balistol or Hoppes #9. Both are made to clean firearms after shooting corrosive ammo.

[Bluedog]

I use hot soapy water. I prefer dish soap. It takes all the oil and grease off too, so you have to re lube it, but you all knew that.

[Planning]

use water for crossive ammo. i use dish washing soap in it. it works as a surfactant to hold the water in place long enought to disove the salt.
i wait until my wife soap bottle get down to maybe 1/4"-3/8" and then fill it with water. i like the top openings/closer on them.

it also come in handy at the range when you get oil, dirt, blood, etc. on yourself.
that and a roll of paper towels.
ron