I screwed up my bolt carrier

[2ac]

So I decided to clean my bolt carrier in my new ultrasonic cleaner. I used the same method as I do for my brass. And was that a mistake! I managed to ef it up pretty good. Seems that vinigar wasn't the best idea.

Might be a good reason to have it NP3'ed

 

[Strykervet]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

Nope, vinegar is an acid. May as well use hydrochloric.

In the army, there was a POG batt. that cleaned their weapons white glove clean everytime, completely dry. They used hot water and detergents (probably military phosphates) and put 'em up that way.

They were surprised when a bolt carrier snapped in half, corroded and "rusted" from the inside --the outside looked "okay". Asses got handed around on that one.

Q-tips, pipe cleaners, dental picks, CLP and maybe some Hoppes #9 is all that you need on those rifles.

Thanks for the heads up though. I was planning on getting an ultrasonic for brass too, and I probably would have tried something similar. I HATE digging carbon out of that carrier with a dental pick.

 

[K_4c]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

Ouch.

 

[smschulz]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

Just refinish it (carrier not bolt).
I Gunkote all mine anyway.

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strykervet</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I HATE digging carbon out of that carrier with a dental pick. </div></div>Gotta have one of these: http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...+carbon+Scraper

I even have one for my AR10. Makes short work of it.

 

[K_4c]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: smschulz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just refinish it (carrier not bolt).
I Gunkote all mine anyway.
</div></div>

Looks to be pitted....

Pitted steel v.s billet aluminum= fail

 

[Super Bee 950]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

My guns work just as good packed full of carbon. No reason to get so anal on the cleaning when its going to be dirty with one bang.

I keep them oiled up, and hit them with brake cleaner when they start getting nasty after several hundred rounds or so. Clean off the big chunks of carbon then call it good.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

I don't get anal about cleaning AR15s. I keep them well lubed.

Next time, instead of using an acid, try using a regular gun cleaning solvent in your ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[rpk762]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

I would try to refinish it. When I put my bolt and bolt carrier in my ultrasonic machine I just use Reverse osmosis water. Most of the time I just add more oil then every so often wipe off the black sludge and re-oil.

 

[mluning]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

Next time try using:
1 quart of Low Odor Mineral Spirits +
1-2 oz. (give or take) of Break Free CLP (or any other kind)

I give mine a heated, ultrasonic bath while I clean the rest of the rifle and by the time I'm done the BCG comes out carbon free and velvety smooth. Then a few drops of whatever lube you prefer and you're good to go.

 

[tnichols]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

I bit the bullet a year or so ago and bought a gallon of Prolix and have used it in my ultrasonic cleaner. I use it when that rainy day rolls around and I actually clean a gun. Works good, but, it's pricey.

 

[Bravo 1]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

More guy's screw up their weapons by cleaningthem to much.

I have 4 Colt AR's and 2 LMT's .308 and I have NEVER cleaned my bolt other then to wipe it down with SLIP 2000 EWL.

I know somebody here is going to suggest that I don't fire many rounds and all I cam say is that most have in excess of 8,000 rounds on each Colt and 2,000 on each LMT.

I have cleaned my barrel apx 2 times since being new.

Lube up the bolt and carrier well and you are good to go.

I can attest to a big named carbine instructor having a weapon and have actually held it in my paws that was only cleaned around the 25,000 round mark.

It still at this writing functions well.

 

[RedGoat]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

Cleaning is over rated

 

[cwillits505]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

interesting.. so you guys are telling me Im supposed to CLEAN my AR? If it aint broke, dont fix it.. lube, shoot, repeat til she dont run no more

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

If the chrome in the bore is fine, then scrub the rust off, oil it up and drive on.

I would make sure to check the head space on the bolt before firing.

If you don't know what you are doing, then stick to CLP and a GP Brush (toothbrush). It takes a long time and a lot of brushes before you can cause damage that way.

 

[wilecoyote]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

In my experience worked very well slightly spray blued revolver frames and semi auto rifle working parts as gas piston or bolt carrier ,with welding anti-splatter spray before shooting_ After shooting,the (reduced)carbon build-up comes away really easily _ (that's not intended for inner of chamber/barrel,of course)_ Acid action can (hopefully) be stopped washing with baking soda,but Ballistol can really help if baking soda is not immediately available; otherwise acid continues to work,even if more discreetly_ [if someone like better maintain and shoot a weapon in dirty conditions,or with the dirt/grit well-distributed thanks to oils,that's another matter about I, respectfully, don't agree]_

 

[2ac]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

Just returned from the range and it fired fine, and the chrome looked ok too.
Funny thing is I'm terrible at regular maintanance, it's the first time I bothered to clean it since I got it. It's been a few hundred rounds since it's first time out. I don't usually bother with cleaning much more than once or twice a year. I don't shoot to much, but enough to cake it on.
I don't see or feel any pitting, I'll just keep it slathered in lube for now. Hopefully I wont let it get to me too much. It's just a DD, a new one shouldn't break the bank. I still like the idea of having it NP3'ed anyway.

^^^I did immediately run it through a baking soda cycle.^^^

 

[Cornholeo]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

Go to LoneWolf's youtube channel and watch his video on cleaning an AR, well worth the watch. After watching his video and Lowlight on the hide training videos, I found out I was definitely over cleaning my GAP-10. Lonewolf does a great job of BCG breakdown, inspection, and lubrication. link to the video, Lonewolf video #12

 

[wilecoyote]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

Sir,I know nothing about ARs and their components,but if the part was steel,hard chromed,this generally mean that the metal vas covered with a thin,very hard triple layer of copper,nickel,and chromium,,to better resist to the abuses related to his function_Same story,more or less,if the part was aluminium_ I suppose the ultrasonic cleaner can boost the work of any acid,as vinegar,contributing to embrittle and peel the protection of the chrome layer, opening a better way to the work of erosion_ At this point,the baking soda can only stop the work,but can't replace again the (gone) chrome layer,neither take away the stains on the nickel,etc_
(When you sink the brass in vinegar,it's ok because brass is not chromed...ist's only brass,and in little time the vinegar take away brass oxide and some carbon deposit,but if you forget the brass in vinegar for some month,as I sadly know,you will find a strange, new wildcat batch of neckless, eroded, Norma cases)_ I regret to being so ignorant about ARs as about English writing,I really hope you can resolve this problem,anyway_Good luck!

 

[spikele]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

Yikes

 

[RufDog]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

If you get some wild a$$ rust one of these 2 products are the best out there for it. Really good prevention & post rust stoppage.

http://blackrainordnance.com/oils.php

http://www.qmaxxproducts.com/

I've had BCGs locked inside guns before because I didnt have them well lubed & they rusted after extended storage. Either of those products stops that. If you get a situation where you need a good penetrating oil, Kroil is phenomenal.

 

[mackdrvr]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If the chrome in the bore is fine, then scrub the rust off, oil it up and drive on.

I would make sure to check the head space on the bolt before firing.

If you don't know what you are doing, then stick to CLP and a GP Brush (toothbrush). It takes a long time and a lot of brushes before you can cause damage that way. </div></div>

This is what I would do. Good luck.

 

[Wolf22]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

LoneWolfs proper barrel break-in is Classic.

 

[L42a1]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

lots of troll on this thread. Im sorry that happened to you.

 

[Hink]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

I clean firearms when they need cleaning...when they start running sluggishly, and it's really a judgement call when it's time. Other than that, they'll get a boresnake after a range session and that's about it.

When I'm using the ultrasonic cleaner, all that goes in (besides the parts being cleaned) is a squirt of Dawn and bottled water (tap water around here is full of minerals and I'm trying to clean parts, not cover them in calcium). It takes a couple of cycles and I don't keep cleaning it white glove ready, but when the parts are hot on the last cycle all it takes is a final rinse and a good oil down, then I'm good for another good long session of shooting without cleaning.

 

[5RWill]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Super Bee 950</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My guns work just as good packed full of carbon. No reason to get so anal on the cleaning when its going to be dirty with one bang.

I keep them oiled up, and hit them with brake cleaner when they start getting nasty after several hundred rounds or so. Clean off the big chunks of carbon then call it good.</div></div>

This.. a simple wipe down and Slip EWL and your GTG.

 

[B3dlam]

Re: I screwed up my bolt carrier

Hornady sells a gun part cleaner for ultra-sonic cleaners I use it with no issues on my BCGs. Might wanna look into that its $30 a bottle up here in AK so probably a little cheaper in the lower 48. And you get quite a few uses out of one bottle.