Introduction
To keep the firearm in the best conditions, there are pre-requisites that the responsible gun owner needs to follow. Aside from ensuring that the gun is in a secure place, its upkeep is important to extend its service life. Before cleaning starts, the gun owner must have the following cleaning impediments. Armalite, Inc. suggested the following to be included in the cleaning kit:
- Rifle Bore Cleaner (RBC);
- Rags;
- Cleaning patches (using the appropriate size for a specific caliber);
- Cleaning Rod;
- Lubricant;
- Q-tips;
- Toothbrush.
The first instruction common to all types of firearms is making sure that the safety is on and no bullet is lodged in the chamber before commencing any cleaning activity. Make sure the selector is in the SAFE position and remove any magazine. The rifle must not be cocked or the lever could not be moved to a SAFE position.
Main body
After removing the magazine, the gun must have its lock bolt open. Next, inspect the chamber to make sure that no more ammunition is lodged in the gun’s chamber. After the selector is pointed to the SAFE position, allow the bolt to slide forward by pressing the bolt catch located at the upper portion of the bolt catch.
The cleaning of the rifle must be done in sections. There are two types of bore cleaners. One is abrasive and the other is chemical. The abrasive cleaner contains no chemicals and usually comes in oil, wax, or grease form. The chemical cleaners are usually a blend of cleaning agents and ammonia and it would usually compromise copper materials. The disassembled rifle is grouped into four: the upper receiver and barrel group; bolt carrier group; charging handle; and magazine (Armalite, Inc.) Begin with the upper received and barrel group. For thorough cleaning, one must use a rifle bore cleaner. The rifle bore cleaner must be of the correct size. The rifle bore cleaner should have the right fit. It should not be too tight touching the sides of the barrel. Too tight would mean damaging and scratching the inner surfaces. One can use a barrel brush soaked with cleaning agents to hasten the process. Make sure all parts in the upper receiver and barrel group are thoroughly cleaned. In addition to the bore, the chamber, the locking lugs, and the gas tube must be free from dirt and corrosion. After the assembly is cleaned, make sure to lubricate to protect the parts from rust.
Conclusion
The disassembled bolt carrier group could be soaked in solvent to loosen stubborn deposits. Lubricate after the parts had been cleaned and dried. The charging handle should be wiped clean. Before inserting the rifle, the latch must be oiled. Finally, the magazine must be kept clean at all times. Magazines are seldom disassembled but if the need arises, the magazine must be pried open with care. Little lubrication is needed for the spring but one must take care not to oil the box or the follower.
Before re-assembly, check if all of the parts are complete or any of the parts are damaged. The key to a well-maintained firearm is to consistently clean, inspect and lubricate it to keep it in good shape and extend its serviceability. The gun owner must make sure that the instructions indicated in the manual for cleaning and maintaining the rifle adhere. Overzealous lubrication would also do more harm than good to the rifle.