AR 15 chamber brush question

Doubletaptap · July 22, 2006, 01:08 AM

I just got my custom Bushy .223 Ar and it has the chrome chamber and bore.
I went to a "tactical" type arms store today and they sold me a chamber brush with brass bristles in the front and a larger diameter metal brush in the rear. It also has a metal point sticking about 1/8" out the front of it!!
It's marked M16C
Military Spec. Brush
.223/5.56mm (chamber)
(#8-36)
The reason for the question is I have read folks clean the chrome chamber with cotton swabs on a long stick.
Should I use this metal brush in the chrome chamber?
Thanks,
George

Powderman · July 22, 2006, 04:02 AM

Use the brush, use it well, use it often and with confidence.

That chamber brush is the same one used by the Armed Forces to clean their M16's and similar weapons.

The puffed out portion in the back is to ensure that the barrel extension (where the bolt locks) gets cleaned. Simply wet the brush in your solvent of choice, and let fly.

Afterward, make sure that you dry the extension area out completely. In a pinch, a can of compressed air used after the chamber brush will blow the loosened crud out in a hurry.

Metaloy Industries · July 22, 2006, 10:13 AM

No problem using a metal brush for a chrome lined chamber/barrel. The chrome is much harder than any brush you will use.

Doubletaptap · July 22, 2006, 01:47 PM

Thank you for your help.
I wasn't about to use it until I found out! These things are expensive enough without ruining a barrel myself!!!

George

ICryoman · July 28, 2006, 08:27 PM

I clean my chrome-lined AR-15 barrels no more often than every 500 rounds through it... I'll swab out & lube the chamber & lugs, respectively, perhaps every 250 rounds... The chromed barrel & chamber are amazingly tough. They don't need pampering and there is nearly nothing you can do via "cleaning" to hurt them (unless something really dumb)... I continue to be amazed at how long they run before needing any attention....

Cheers, Cryoman

YellowLab · July 31, 2006, 09:35 AM

500 rounds between cleanings?

Man I go 1-2k before it clean it out. Unless you use dirty powders (or WOLF ammo) the AR should go much longer between cleanings.

The situation WILL change that... but range use AR's are more likely to have barrels damaged during cleaning than from use.

Harry Bonar · July 31, 2006, 12:36 PM

Dear Sir:
Never, NEVER use any rifle brush unless the brush wrapings are bronze (or brass). Always use a brush made of bronze or brass alloy ENTIRELY!
Harry B.

Doubletaptap · August 6, 2006, 03:11 AM

Thanks everyone!!
And Harry, it's a military M-16 brush with brass bristles!!
Thanks for all the help!
That's why I like this site,no BS,and a lot of folks that want to help a noob!!!

July 22, 2006, 01:08 AM	#1
Doubletaptap Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2006 Location: Around north Houston Posts: 287	AR 15 chamber brush question I just got my custom Bushy .223 Ar and it has the chrome chamber and bore. I went to a "tactical" type arms store today and they sold me a chamber brush with brass bristles in the front and a larger diameter metal brush in the rear. It also has a metal point sticking about 1/8" out the front of it!! It's marked M16C Military Spec. Brush .223/5.56mm (chamber) (#8-36) The reason for the question is I have read folks clean the chrome chamber with cotton swabs on a long stick. Should I use this metal brush in the chrome chamber? Thanks, George __________________ Don't believe the hype!!!

July 22, 2006, 04:02 AM	#2
Powderman Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,166	Use the brush, use it well, use it often and with confidence. That chamber brush is the same one used by the Armed Forces to clean their M16's and similar weapons. The puffed out portion in the back is to ensure that the barrel extension (where the bolt locks) gets cleaned. Simply wet the brush in your solvent of choice, and let fly. Afterward, make sure that you dry the extension area out completely. In a pinch, a can of compressed air used after the chamber brush will blow the loosened crud out in a hurry. __________________ Hiding in plain sight...

July 22, 2006, 10:13 AM	#3
Metaloy Industries Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 179	No problem using a metal brush for a chrome lined chamber/barrel. The chrome is much harder than any brush you will use. __________________ Chris Peters Metaloy Industries, Inc. www.originalmetaloy.com The 'Original' Hard Chrome finish TactiKote finish Visit the Metaloy Blog http://metaloyindustries.typepad.com/

July 22, 2006, 01:47 PM	#4
Doubletaptap Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2006 Location: Around north Houston Posts: 287	Thank you for your help. I wasn't about to use it until I found out! These things are expensive enough without ruining a barrel myself!!! George __________________ Don't believe the hype!!!

July 31, 2006, 12:36 PM	#7
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	chamber brush Dear Sir: Never, NEVER use any rifle brush unless the brush wrapings are bronze (or brass). Always use a brush made of bronze or brass alloy ENTIRELY! Harry B.

July 28, 2006, 08:27 PM	#5
ICryoman Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Posts: 39	I clean my chrome-lined AR-15 barrels no more often than every 500 rounds through it... I'll swab out & lube the chamber & lugs, respectively, perhaps every 250 rounds... The chromed barrel & chamber are amazingly tough. They don't need pampering and there is nearly nothing you can do via "cleaning" to hurt them (unless something really dumb)... I continue to be amazed at how long they run before needing any attention.... Cheers, Cryoman

July 31, 2006, 09:35 AM	#6
YellowLab Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Posts: 22	500 rounds between cleanings? Man I go 1-2k before it clean it out. Unless you use dirty powders (or WOLF ammo) the AR should go much longer between cleanings. The situation WILL change that... but range use AR's are more likely to have barrels damaged during cleaning than from use.

August 6, 2006, 03:11 AM	#8
Doubletaptap Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2006 Location: Around north Houston Posts: 287	Thanks everyone!! And Harry, it's a military M-16 brush with brass bristles!! Thanks for all the help! That's why I like this site,no BS,and a lot of folks that want to help a noob!!! __________________ Don't believe the hype!!!