Written by MSTN Support

With all the buzz about gas piston versus direct impingement, we thought it might be a good time to explain more fully how we keep our ARs in top running condition. We don't particularly enjoy the process of cleaning and relubing, so we concentrate on the necessary and beneficial, first and foremost.

Accuracy is one of our essentials, so we lean hard towards direct impingement. If you are a die hard piston guy, this discussion may not be for you, or maybe it will be. You be the judge.

Barrel and chamber cleaning is beyond the scope of this discussion. Suffice it to say, you will need to clean both of those areas from time to time for best performance. Regardless of your operating system, they will get dirty. When it comes to direct gas ARs, the dirty little secret is the receiver (upper), charging handle and bolt carrier group. Shoot enough without cleaning and/or lubricating and your gun will eventually stop running. How much, and how often, you deal with this is where this is going.

Several years ago, when GunButter first came out, we took a look at it, liked the formulation, and thought it had potential. After many months of trial testing, we asked for a couple changes to the viscosity and the delivery systems. The GB folks were accomodating and provided us with what we feel is the perfect lube for this areas of the AR. It lasts and lasts, doesn't attract fouling, actually the opposite, and won't burn away. It solved a lot of the problems we had with cleaning of AR receivers and bolt carrier components. It also does it's best job when applied correctly and this is where we come to today.

We have many satisfied GB customers. Everyone loves the product. It is, per "drop", fairly expensive however and using it like CLP is a costly, and unnecessary proposition. Also, we don't particularly care for the smell or effects of using a lot of solvents at every cleaning, so, given the way GB works, we decided to look for a better way to use it effectively.

Because it is so stable, staying where its put and not burning away, GB excels when it is applied to perfectly clean bare metals. Any fouling that hangs around is suspended on the thin layer of GB and is easily removed by simple mechanical means. Wipe it off with a patch, paper towel, swab, etc. and all that is left is a clean surface with a small film of GB remaining. This characteristic makes it possible to clean and relube components over and over without using solvents. This is not only faster and easier than "complete" cleaning with solvents, it's not nearly as hard on the one doing the cleaning. No more CLP warts and respiratory ailments, and less spent on rubber gloves! Even better, it is a superior way to maintain a hard use weapon (or the odd safe queen).

We have been using this for quite awhile and have finally come up with a very easy system for doing this. If you like the AR as it was designed by Eugene Stoner, but with a lot less cleaning, take a look below. This is how we do it. Might be right for you.

First, the inside of receiver and all BCG components need to be completely clean. We use GunScrubber, but your favorite oil-free clear solvent will do just fine.

 

Once you have everything clean, time to lube and reassemble. First, charge a bolt head swab with lubricant. We use specially made foam applicators. They don't shed like cotton swabs or patched, and they hold lube well and still release it when you want it to.

Ready to lube, apply inside the carrier, and inside the cam pin slot

Now it's time to lube all the bolt head parts, then reassemble

Once the bolt is back together, you can lube it, and the other BCG components, and reassemble the BCG

Now, on to the interior of the carrier and reassembly of the upper. First we need to charge another swab. For this we use a big foam "lollipop". It's got an nice, round shape that gets into the curved bore of the carrier well and is flat the other direction so it can slide into other areas easily.

Now you can lube all the interior surfaces of the receiver, and the charging handle and BCG exterior surfaces. No need to overdo it, a light coating is all you need. If you want to use more, put a little extra on the carrier rails. It won't hurt anything.

 

When you lube the carrier, a little on the back of the bolt locking lugs is good too

All back together and ready to shoot.

Once you have your rifle lubed this way, to clean you only need to wipe down surfaces and relube. Our Receiver Lubrication Kit makes it easy and has spots to store charged swabs so they can be reused without creating a mess, wasting lube, etc. Normal shooting will seldom require disassembling the BCG, just wipe it down and relube. Inside the receiver is easy with a cleaning swab, also included in our lube kit. The cleaning swabs are reusable as well. Many clear solvents will not attack the foam. We spray with KG-3 aerosol and squeeze inside a paper towel. Good as new. The business end of our cleaning swab is pictured below.

That's all there is to it. Easy, and effective. Kits and replacement swabs are available for purchase in our e-store.

 

 

 

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