How much CLEANING do modern firerams really require ?

[SmallGameAddict]

The carbon doesn't accumulate in the tube while its still hot. It precipitates out and coats the BCG when it expands and cools in the action having done its work. I routinely shoot 1000 rounds between cleanings on my AR with nary a problem, I gets awful sooty in there though. I dunno how this new one will do, I've about 400 rounds through it, first time session, with no problems, no stoppages. The AR is really a very reliable gun despite its reputation.
But yeah, I'd say 1k is a good rule of thumb for a max interval in an AR. I've gone past that too though. Once did two whole trips without cleaning, bout 1,700 rounds with only dumping a little oil in the action before tge second outing. There was a month long period between these two trips. I cleaned it thoroughly afterwards. I usually spend just a little extra time on the bcg after a high round count trip. Every so often I'll strip the bolt and clean under the extractor too. Actually I just blast the bolt and parts with a bunch of Hoppes and wipe it down, let it dry then soak in CLP, wipe, dry, reasemble, reinstall.
I use a lot of Hoppes. Thinking of trying the Slip 2000 725 cleaner though since its non toxic and less offensive. I kinda like the smell of Hoppes and all but I can't imagine its good for me since I practically swim in the stuff come cleaning time.

Interesting. On my gas-operated shotgun I use a small thin punch to push thru the two gas ports in the barrel to keep them clean, and follow up with pipe cleaners. Never 'torture tested' it to see how many shells it would shoot before jamming occurred due to combustion residue and carbon build up, likely quite a few, but that depends on ammo. Modern steel shot target/small game loads use a slow burning powder that leaves a residue that is like flat black spray paint. I just like to keep things neat and tidy. I'm just OCD on maintenance with everything I own. Metal to metal friction points require lube. On those points I normally use a drop of 3n1 oil. Not too much, or else it's just a dust and dirt collector. Trigger assemblies, bores and exterior wipe down I like RemOil. I've never had a firearm rust with it when used, and stored properly. The MSDS data sheets on just about any gun cleaning product would scare you.

 

[BlackDragon]

I clean about every 500 rounds -ish

 

[oc shooter]

i just don't mind cleaning my guns it's not a chore for me.

 

[Vapor]

Over cleaning bores, and doing so incorrectly will play havoc on your accuracy.


Carbon fiber rods, bore guides, careful and slow application, etc.


Maintainimg a certain level of copper equilibrium. Copper removal is seperate from simple carbon revoval in my cleaning regimine



I actually will clean the action of my semi autos every 250-500 rounds depending on the season and use. If it got shot in a mud puddle it gets cleaned after. If it's a mostly dry, warm season, then maybe it goes a little longer.

 

[Bushmaster]

Never had one long enough to clean LOL.... Always trading LOL I remember one day hunting my sling swivel kept squeaking so I pulled dip stick out of my truck engine and dripped oil on swivel then cleaned it off lol. Does that count? seemed to work hunting that day.

 

[Upstate43]

It really depends on the application and the type of firearm.

For a bolt action, especially one that is used for target shooting:1) you don't really have to clean much, since there is no gas or piston system and 2) other than running a few oiled patches through the barrel, you really don't want to clean the rifle that often (it helps with maintaining shot consistency). I might do a full-on bore and rifle cleaning (using bore solvents) once every 500-600 rounds, or when I start to see a degradation in accuracy.

For a semi-auto rifle (gas or piston) you'll have to clean more frequently (either the bolt itself or the piston moving the bolt depending on the setup). I also think the type of ammo you're shooting will dictate how often you clean.

Same applies for a semi-auto and pump-action shotguns. I mostly just wipe off dirt and grime from my pump-action; rarely does the bolt really get that dirty.

 

[Shadow2]

defensive guns are cleaned after every use .... target guns get tighter with dirt and are cleaned when accuracy degrades or failures start too occur.