gas tube question

[bayo]

should i remove the gas tube for cleaning it seems to be a real bitch. also how dirty does it get? i ran a pipe cleaner in it but never saw it come out into the barrel do i need a longer pipe cleaner?:newbie: :duece:

[sfc ret]

it gets pretty dirty in there......that is where 90 percent of the fouling is going to end up, considering the gas goes into it to push the piston back......trying to run a pipe cleaner into the gas block, and into the hole from the very rear of the sight block isn't going to make it, you are going to have to take the gas tube off......the little lever on the right hand side of the rear sight block has to be in the up position, then grab hold and wiggle and pull the rear part of the gas tube straight up....it may take some elbow grease, especially if it's anew rifle.....but it will come off. now you can clean it....as well as the gas port hole in the gas block.

[Circuits]

Don't try to clean your gas tube with a pipe cleaner... or your bolt carrier gas key, either.

Anything 50,000 PSI hot gas won't blow out, you ain't gonna move with a pipe cleaner, but there is a good chance you'll break off a pipe cleaner and block it trying to clean it.

If you ever somehow manage to get your gas tube so fouled that your rifle won't function, then you can order and install a new gas tube for about $15 - but you should stop shooting blackpowder .223 if you've managed such a blockage... :rolleyes:

[sfc ret]

oh brother.........I didn't even read under what forum this was under DUH :) ........I though he was talking about a AK.

[bayo]

dont sweat it sfc but you ought to have seen me trying to find a 'little lever' on my bushmaster rear sight base [ha ha]it was a real good show

[Rew]

blackpowder .223, couldn't get enough powder in the case to work the action :D (I'm kidding of course) The only case I have ever loaded with BP was the 45-70 for a single shot rifle, after 1 trip to the range, I found a smokeless lead;)

[Pogo]

Originally posted by sfc ret
oh brother.........I didn't even read under what forum this was under DUH :) ........I though he was talking about a AK.

I'm glad you posted this. I read your first post and for the life of me I couldn't figure out what the heck you were talking about.:D

[netanyaman]

I use carb cleaner and spray the sh*t out of the gas tube. I see military kits in catalogs with pipe cleaners and my USMC M16 manual (seems to be the best manual for the rifle) lists pipe cleaners as a cleaning tool. Best bet is to clean it your way, have an expert (maybe a tactical gun savvy gunsmith) and see what he/she thinks. Everyone has their own special cleaning products and methods that are better than everyone else's (much like the Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge types). My main point is, if it's stupid and it works, it aint stupid. :dunno: