Run it wet, how wet?

[Eagle Six]

I think the best answer is somewhere between too wet and not wet enough!! Direct impingement gas systems throw a lot of carbon and mixed with environmental debris like rain, snow, dirt, dust, sand, cold and heat, lubing and shooting is an exercise of diminishing returns.

The video posted, I think it is Vickers Tactical, is cute, but soaking and shooting ten rounds at an environmental friendly one-way range doesn't bust the myth.

Like Smokey the Bear, only you can prevent wild fires, only you can determine the kind and amount of lube to keep your gun running for as long as you need it.

I have run a steady stream of all kinds of lube in M-16's and XM177's to keep them running, but sooner or later the dirt and lube become a mess that causes malfunctions and the darn little pea shooter needs cleaning and a fresh start.

This reminds me of a thread in a different forum titled, "How Much Soap to Wash a Car?"! I like all the answers here much better than those about washing a car.

 

[Eagle Six]

I thought closing the dust cover was supposed to prevent that.

That reminds me I need to order an M-14 dust cover!!

 

[jackieschmidt]

Our m-14’s did not have a dust cover. I’m sure some did, but none of the ones I ever saw at Fort Bliss and in Germany had a dust cover.

 

[6Creed73]

I learned a long time ago that the M16/AR15 will pretty much run whether it's clean, dirty, wet or dry. During military training at Ft Dix we spent 6 weeks doing ground defense training and we were given a clean rifle at the start and didn't clean them until we turned them in 6 weeks later. These things were fired almost every day with either blanks or live ammo. They were dragged in mud and sand during low crawl drills, rained on, dropped, and everything else you can imagine.

I remember being shocked that these rifles just kept running. You wouldn't believe how dirty these things were with caked on carbon, dirt, sand, pieces of leaves, etc. Cleaning them absolutely sucked and took hours. Your rifle had to be inspected before turn in and they'd send you back if there was the slightest bit of carbon left.

I'm pretty OCD about cleaning my guns, but I have no doubt my rifles will run dirty and without lube if they had to.

 

[David Milisock]

I've been experimenting with dry lube on my M1 Carbines and my AR's I wish they had it in the level of availability that it has in the market today 50 years ago.

Assuming that you've had a decent Sergeant or other NONCOM to kick your ass and you know how to protect your rifle!

I find dry lubricants to work better (so far). Less problems picking up crap. Less issues with dirt through the gas system getting into the action.

What I have noticed (assuming that you understand what I mean by the nature of the rifles cycling) compared to wet lubricants in cold to very cold weather a rifle with dry lubricants starts out cycling better, quicker, she establishes herself in 3 to 4 rounds. Maintains proper function, for many rounds, does not produce a lubricant ooze to get on you and produce a smell. The rifles can return to a deep cold status and repeat firings many times.

Ok I know, you thinking the smell! No I'm not a panty waste not liking the smell of oil, but in close the oil stink is a disadvantage.

Oils react to temperatures, even if you use one that works at 40 below F, it will get loose and run if you've got too much applied when you fire half a mag.

My 30 Carbines gained increased cold weather functionality far more than my AR's with dry lubricants but I've seen no negative effects on either platform.

 

[Fuj]

Not counting my days in the service when we hosed down the
bolts with LSA, My AR's get nothing but "Drislide" and one is,
one of the first rifles out of Rock River. Still good to go, and a
favored range companion when I'm letting other barrels cool.
Not on an AR but; I've known AK mag dumpers who have used
STP !!

 

[ChrisA]

I went to Basic at Fort Leonard Wood January '94. We were the first cycle issued brand new M16A2. I remember Drill Sargent Hendrix blasting two full squeezes of Break Free CLP from a pint bottle into the ejection port of each rifle the first time we went to the range. I'm sure they wanted them grimy for us to clean later, but I don't recall anyone having cycling issues.

I surely dont run mine that wet, just sharing a memory.

 

[MGYSGT]

Put a couple of drops on the bolt and a couple in the hole on the carrier. First shot turns it into mist and the whole thing is oiled.

 

[Eagle Six]

Our m-14’s did not have a dust cover. I’m sure some did, but none of the ones I ever saw at Fort Bliss and in Germany had a dust cover.

I was just doing some follow up teasing to @C.E.Smith043 post that he was teasing about the dust cover which doesn't exist!

 

[jackieschmidt]

I was just doing some follow up teasing to @C.E.Smith043 post that he was teasing about the dust cover which doesn't exist!

Got it
just had leg surgery. I’m little slow today.

 

[Eagle Six]

Got it
just had leg surgery. I’m little slow today.

Wish you the best on the recovery.

 

[Iowa Fox]

I thought closing the dust cover was supposed to prevent that.

On a M-14?

 

[C.E.Smith043]

On a M-14?

It's just a joke.

 

[GuitarmanNick]

Running an AR-15 too wet is a common mistake that leads to carbon build up, worn gas rings, and debris collecting where it should not.

Oil should never get inside of the gas system!

Wipe the inside of the upper receiver with a light coat of oil. Put a drop on each of the 4 BCG contact surfaces and wipe it in with a fingertip. That is all that is needed for at least 500 rounds in my ARs.

 

[jelenko]

Running an AR-15 too wet is a common mistake that leads to carbon build up, worn gas rings, and debris collecting where it should not.

Oil should never get inside of the gas system!

Wipe the inside of the upper receiver with a light coat of oil. Put a drop on each of the 4 BCG contact surfaces and wipe it in with a fingertip. That is all that is needed for at least 500 rounds in my ARs.

This.
I also wipe down the bolt body [not the face] with CLP.