Interesting article with some valid points, but kind of an example of how lubrication technology is overthought.

Simpler is better IMHO. For semi-auto handguns, I just use some Hoppe's #9 with toothbrush, bronze brush for the barrel followed by a bore snake soaked in Hoppe's, and then an oiled a swab on a short rod. Nothing wrong with patches on a jag, but I find those annoying to use so I just go with the swabs and replace them every so often. They're pretty cheap. I use some synthetic oil on the rotating surfaces like hammer and trigger pins. I might use some brake cleaner (chlorinated version) for hard-to-reach crudded-up areas (don't use on painted surfaces or finished wood), and I confess I occasionally put some moly grease on the slide rails. For the exterior, I've been using Sheath.

Old Hoppe's #9 is good stuff indeed. While I don't put a lot of rounds through my AR, recently I have been doing a lot of handgun training and range shooting. I usually clean my semi-auto pistols with a nylon brush, q-tips and now a microfiber cloth (nothing fancy) first with Breakfree CLP, then followed by Hoppe's #9. Bore snakes work great.

Also these polymer picks are great for cleaning the rails and other hard to reach places :tup:
I fold up a patch and start working at the tight areas using the picks

Amazon.com: Tipton Polymer Gun Cleaning Picks: Sports & Outdoors

Yeah, even though I have a much higher regard for Bushmasters than MacCool, it is telling that I built an AR using Noveske upper and lower receivers with a Daniel's Defense barrel for the purpose of tactical AR instruction this summer. It is nice that nowadays one has so many choices of really nice rifles.

I have decided that before the course I am going to slap on a LMT gas-piston monolithic upper on my Bushmaster lower. The idea of a gas-piston AR is intriguing and if anyone can do it right it would have to be LMT. Of course I will have my Noveske as a backup/alternate just in case...

If for some reason you were to consider a Bushmaster, don't buy one that isn't made in Windham Maine as those I believe where the ones that were subject to lapses in quality control.

Oh, if I were in the market for a complete AR I would strongly consider LaRue Tactical, Daniel's Defense and LWRC as well. At the end of the year I will be looking at getting a .308 which I will be looking at LaRue Tactical, LWRC and Noveske AR-10s or possibly an Accuracy International bolt action. The gun store that has a shooting range I go to has a .50 BMG AI with a killer scope for the bargain price of $20K. It is a mouth-watering sight!

i think the most confusing part of getting into all this is the cleaning / maintenance :facepalm:

i was told using Q-tips was generally a bad idea...but i'll assemble my amazon shopping list and post it up here later on for some feedback. help would be aprpeciated :tup:

i think it all depends on how OCD you are with cleaning...sometimes when using Qtips, it can get caught up on an edge and leave little pieces of cotton

Just like oil threads on car forums :stirthepot:

I use them sometimes, but they can lead to cotton in places. When I purchased my M&P, the guy was showing me a glock someone had brought in where the cotton buildup from q-tips had stopped the firing pin from striking.

Yes, that is true. My actual technique is to apply the cleaner/lube with the q-tip, then cover the skinny end of the nylon brush with the microfiber cloth and use that to do the real cleaning/final wipe.

yeah...i have an OCd personality, this could go badly really, really quickly hahaahah

Hoppe's BoreSnake, 9mm

These look good and aren't too expensive: Amazon.com: Otis Variety Pack Receiver Brushes (Nylon, Blue Nylon, Bronze): Sports & Outdoors

Do I need this? Amazon.com: Break-Free CLP-4 Cleaner Lubricant Preservative Squeeze Bottle (4 -Fluid Ounce): Sports & Outdoors

and no 9, or maybe some mobil 1? lol

Hoppe's No. 9 Solvent this stuff is kinda expensive O_O

just FYI...ive heard that Hoppe's #9 kinda smells so make sure you're in a well ventilated area lol

and I bought that brush set, they work pretty well
some people use an old toothbrush too and said it works

kinda want this just for the mat lol: Amazon.com: Gunslick Pro Roll-Up Gun Cleaning Mat: Sports & Outdoors

You might consider a Huldra upper. It's based on the Adams Arms piston design. Stewart Mills (Mills Fleet Farm) is a shooting buddy of mine and that's his brand. I've seen Huldras in action and they are impressive. Very high quality, very well made. Huldra Arms - AR Gas Piston Rifles . A Huldra would be my first choice if I were interested in a gas piston rifle. Nothing wrong with LMT, though. Likewise, LWRC makes an excellent gas piston rifle.



Yeah, I agree. Anything that needs Q-tips on my rifles gets blasted with brake cleaner instead.




Boy, ain't that the truth!



It's the smell of my youth, though. I stick with Hoppe's #9 because of the smell..:tup:

I spilled a big bottle of Hoppes #9 on my living room carpet once. :bowrofl:

"3 years later, it still smells like the first day I spilled it"


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