Home CMMG How To Clean & Lubricate Your AR-15 Series Rifle (HD)

How To Clean & Lubricate Your AR-15 Series Rifle (HD)

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This is a very basic video for the brand new AR owner who doesn’t know anything about the platform (we were all there once guys…). I show in detail how to break down the rifle, how to clean it, and how to lubricate it to ensure proper functioning.

Before someone says the old “I do it X way and it’s way better!” — I know there are other ways that work as well. The key is keeping the gun lubricated and relatively free of carbon to ensure proper performance.

I pretty much endorse all CLPs (with the exception of RemOil–it evaporates/runs off way too fast) for use buy use Mil-Spec CLP myself personally. Synthetic motor oils from 0w-10w seem to work well for lubrication as well. As far as greases go, I recommend a lithium based grease with a broad operating temperature range. I’ve used expensive ‘gun’ greases and found 0 difference in performance with the grease used above or the Mobil 1 brand with similar specs to the grease in the video—both work great. Almost all of the handguns you see in my reviews have this on their rails.

CLP link:
CAT M4 tool:

If you’re trying to get a more detailed cleaning, using a bore solvent to clean the bore, barrel, flash hider/barrel crown are a good idea but it doesn’t need to be done every time and if done too often can even damage the rifle.

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38 COMMENTS

  1. Brand new to the AR platform and in the middle of assembling a parts build, I've watched several videos and yours makes me confident that I'll be able to maintain my rifle when its done.
    Thank You and thank you for your service to our country !
    God Bless

  2. I use clp and some Clenzoil wipes and clean the Army way. But I'm thinking of getting a bore snake for my rifles. I have a snake for my carry pistols. I'm not sure if I would use grease on my rifles. Gr8 vid. 🔫

  3. A shaker can of CLP, a rag, and a bore snake… All I do. Used to bore clean to perfect white patch… Excessive. Thousands of rounds, no issues (standard NATO ammo)

  4. I know this request is coming like six years late, but could you show a detail clean of the AR…or white glove…whatever you want to call it. That would be greatly appreciated.

  5. Great job!
    Just cleaned my first AR using your video
    It was extremely helpful for me – a beginner. What was the wire you used? It seemed to make it extremely easy to run through the barrel?
    Again thank you for making this one and for your service!

  6. Running one little patch that touches the inner barrel with minimal pressure as opposed to using a boresnake which firmly rubs the entire barrel with every bit of it's length in one swipe?

  7. Dumb question but is there a way to clean the little brush you use? Or do you just trash it and get a new one for every clean? Maybe do a updated video or field cleaning an AR? Love the videos keep them up!

  8. gas tube cleanliness?….not important…lol…that thin wall gas tube is a poor design,charging handle silly stupid, these things are filthy within 100 rounds…..why guys spend thousands on this platform ill never know…great channel mr gunner but after abusing these ars's…..they are just not "fight" ready rifles…good video tho…always informative

  9. Do you ever lightly grease the upper receiver, where the BCG rails make contact with the receiver? I've notice a bit of wear near the star chamber, where the BCG comes into contact with the receiver (maybe from bolt bounce). Would it be overkill to run a thin layer of grease inside the receiver on these points? I already grease the BCG rails, but I thought that I'd try to eliminate as much wear as possible. Still watching your channel religiously after 3 years and I must say that you do a fine job, thank you for the great content!

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