AR 15 Gas Tube
Hey guy's I've had my AR 15 finished for over a year now, put about 5000 rounds through it thus far, I built it myself but I have a couple questions. I was looking at a schematic for the AR and I completely forgot about the TINY gas tube that runs up through the fore grip and along the upper. I have yet to put solvent down there and I dont think I have anything small enough to put in there and clean it out, like I said I've put 5k rounds through it without a single misfire or jam but I dont want to clog the tube but from my recollection it takes a little disassembly to get access to the exit of the tube itself.. So I just thought I would throw that out there, I had one gun smith tell me not to worry and most poop gets blasted out of it when you fire, but regardless I still dont like the idea that it might be getting clogged with gunk. Input is appreciated.
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The gunsmith gave you the straight skinny. The high pressure gas from the gas block blasts everything down the tube into the gas key on top of the BCA.
If you really want to be annal about it you can pick up a package of those long pipe cleaners that Walmart sells in their hobby and crafts department. Dip one into a good quality powder solvent and use it to clean the interior of the gas tube. IMHO you would be just wasting your time, but if it makes you happy go to it.0 -
Your gunsmith is right. But..If it makes you feel any better Brownells and others carry long extra heavy duty pipe cleaners made for the task.
Access through the receiver end of the gas tube with solvent then dry it out before you put it to bed.
I do it on rainy days and during the blue moon if it needs it or not.0 -
Gas tube is stainless. 0 -
Don't get cute and poke ANYTHING else up in there other than the log "pipe cleaner" or you could be asking for trouble if it gets stuck.
If you are unaware, the other end is pretty much blocked.
The safest thing is to just leave it alone and the next safest thing is to use the extra-long pipe cleaner.0 -
The Pipe cleaner's work ok when used with a good solvent, then use high pressure break cleaner(I use NAPA brand), with the spray straw they give you to blast it all out. Repeat, untill clean. Most folks dont worry about them, and just replace them when the rifle will not function.
Best0 -
quote:Originally posted by dsoelter
Hey guy's I've had my AR 15 finished for over a year now, put about 5000 rounds through it thus far, I built it myself but I have a couple questions. I was looking at a schematic for the AR and I completely forgot about the TINY gas tube that runs up through the fore grip and along the upper. I have yet to put solvent down there and I dont think I have anything small enough to put in there and clean it out, like I said I've put 5k rounds through it without a single misfire or jam but I dont want to clog the tube but from my recollection it takes a little disassembly to get access to the exit of the tube itself.. So I just thought I would throw that out there, I had one gun smith tell me not to worry and most poop gets blasted out of it when you fire, but regardless I still dont like the idea that it might be getting clogged with gunk. Input is appreciated.
DO NOT !! I REPEAT.., DO NOT, attempt to clean that gas tube with anything, NOT even a long pipe cleaner, there is nothing inside that tube will accumulate, every round fired cleans the previous round fired. if any large object gets stuck in that tube youe may experience a KAABOOM !! if you really are concerned about it, just buy a new gas tube and install it. then try cleaning the removed one, you will only find a little staining on a white pipe cleaner.
personally i have 40+ years experience with AR-15's and an old Colt SP-1 with over 10,000 rounds thru it and never cleaned nor replaced a gas tube.
trust me on this.0 -
quote:Originally posted by USN_Airdale
quote:Originally posted by dsoelter
Hey guy's I've had my AR 15 finished for over a year now, put about 5000 rounds through it thus far, I built it myself but I have a couple questions. I was looking at a schematic for the AR and I completely forgot about the TINY gas tube that runs up through the fore grip and along the upper. I have yet to put solvent down there and I dont think I have anything small enough to put in there and clean it out, like I said I've put 5k rounds through it without a single misfire or jam but I dont want to clog the tube but from my recollection it takes a little disassembly to get access to the exit of the tube itself.. So I just thought I would throw that out there, I had one gun smith tell me not to worry and most poop gets blasted out of it when you fire, but regardless I still dont like the idea that it might be getting clogged with gunk. Input is appreciated.
DO NOT !! I REPEAT.., DO NOT, attempt to clean that gas tube with anything, NOT even a long pipe cleaner, there is nothing inside that tube will accumulate, every round fired cleans the previous round fired. if any large object gets stuck in that tube youe may experience a KAABOOM !! if you really are concerned about it, just buy a new gas tube and install it. then try cleaning the removed one, you will only find a little staining on a white pipe cleaner.
personally i have 40+ years experience with AR-15's and an old Colt SP-1 with over 10,000 rounds thru it and never cleaned nor replaced a gas tube.
trust me on this.
It won't go kaboom on you. It's the gas tube not the barrel. Two things could happen. One, your action won't cycle because the gas path is blocked. If there is too much heat where it's blocked you could get a bulge, even a rupture in the gas tube. This would require much rapid fire to have that happen though.
Not to worry though. because it will just vent off out the top or front depending on which style of forearm you have. ...and your action won't cycle, because now there's no gas getting to the BCG.
You can clean this with a pipe cleaner. And yes Carbon does build up in there if you use ammo with ball powder. Usually it blows out but after time it does build up.
I would suggest doing what TSR said and use some NAPA brake cleaner. It dissolves the carbon and a pipe cleaner not only wipes out the carbon it absorbs excess fluid/residue. Remember, after cleaning the tube with any fluid it goes down in the port and into the barrel. You'll want to run a couple patches down the barrel last thing after you clean it.0 -
+1. No Kaboom 0 -
quote:Originally posted by USN_Airdale
quote:Originally posted by dsoelter
Hey guy's I've had my AR 15 finished for over a year now, put about 5000 rounds through it thus far, I built it myself but I have a couple questions. I was looking at a schematic for the AR and I completely forgot about the TINY gas tube that runs up through the fore grip and along the upper. I have yet to put solvent down there and I dont think I have anything small enough to put in there and clean it out, like I said I've put 5k rounds through it without a single misfire or jam but I dont want to clog the tube but from my recollection it takes a little disassembly to get access to the exit of the tube itself.. So I just thought I would throw that out there, I had one gun smith tell me not to worry and most poop gets blasted out of it when you fire, but regardless I still dont like the idea that it might be getting clogged with gunk. Input is appreciated.
DO NOT !! I REPEAT.., DO NOT, attempt to clean that gas tube with anything, NOT even a long pipe cleaner, there is nothing inside that tube will accumulate, every round fired cleans the previous round fired. if any large object gets stuck in that tube youe may experience a KAABOOM !! if you really are concerned about it, just buy a new gas tube and install it. then try cleaning the removed one, you will only find a little staining on a white pipe cleaner.
personally i have 40+ years experience with AR-15's and an old Colt SP-1 with over 10,000 rounds thru it and never cleaned nor replaced a gas tube.
trust me on this.
How in the hell is a plugged gas tube going to cause the gun to KAABOOM !! [?][?]
I've been shooting them since the mid '60,s and never cleaned a tube,
just clean the gas key every few thousand rounds [;)]0 -
Seven years in small arms repair, and never saw a failure caused by carbon fouling in a gas tube. And that includes rifles that saw untold numbers of blanks fired during training.
Did see many with pipe cleaners lodged in them though. Get the correct ones from Brownells and use caution when inserting it into the gas tube.0 -
Agreed that you should never insert any sort of object into the gas tube for cleaning. Many tens of thousands of pounds of pressure are generated inside that tube with each round fired, meaning that as long as ammo with a correct type powder is used fouling in this area will remain minimal for many, many thousands of rounds.
The factory recommended procedure in the event an AR/M16 does develop fouling buildup in this area is to simply install a new tube. It's an inexpensive part and is a simple matter to replace.
If you feel you absolutely must clean your gas tube there's only one method of accomplishing this to avoid creating greater problems than you're attempting to solve.
Use a high pressure, strong solvent (GunScrubber or non-chlorinated brake cleaner) with the muzzle tipped down. Use the provided straw and liberally spray the solvent down the rear of the tube, allowing it to flow out the gas port into the bore, then out the muzzle. This isn't a bad idea for those who use non-milspec, dirty ammunition - such as Wolf.0 -
I've used ARs for years, including the full auto version, never cleaned the gas tube and never had an issue. It seems to me stuffing a pipe cleaner in there will take all the carbon lining the inside walls of the tube and plow it up in a glob just ahead of the gas block. Mix in some solvent going solid and I'd imagine that first round will clear out that little wall of crud, but it seems like a waste of effort. I'd say if someone is dying to clean the gas tube just remove the whole thing and swab it through & through, then reattach. 0
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