What Common Mistakes Should You Avoid When Using an AR-15 Rifle Cleaning Kit?

It’s not rocket science to clean an AR-15, but it’s not something you half-ass either. If you’re new to rifles or a seasoned veteran, keeping your gun clean isn’t about appearance. It’s about performance, reliability, and safety.

Now, if you’ve got an AR-15 rifle cleaning kit, you’re way ahead of most people. But the thing is, having the kit doesn’t do anything if you’re not actually using it correctly. And we’ve watched lots of individuals cause more damage than good simply by blowing through a clean or neglecting the fundamentals. So let’s go over the things we’ve watched go wrong, Mistakes that are simple to avoid once you recognize what to watch out for.

Why Cleaning Your AR-15 Actually Matters?

This isn’t a “nice to have” situation. Suppose you’re shooting rounds through your AR, even just a couple mags worth, carbon’s accumulating. Throw in powder, water, and a little bit of time, and now you have potential failures in waiting.

It doesn’t take much for things to get goofy. We’re talking:

• Jams and misfeeds
  
• Sticky bolts
  
• Failure to eject
  
• Rust is getting into places you didn’t imagine it could reach

And sure, some of these may not appear immediately, but they will. This is not fear-mongering. It’s just what you get when you forgo the maintenance.

Mistake #1: Applying the Wrong Kit or a Crappy One

There are a lot of so-called “universal” cleaning kits out there. Cheap. Flashy. Usually sold at big-box stores. And most of them? Junk. They might work okay for grandpa’s bolt-action, but not for an AR.

If you’re serious about your rifle, use a real AR-15 rifle cleaning kit. That means:

• Chamber brush that fits the star-shaped lugs
  
• Bore brush sized for .223/5.56
  
• Non-scratch rods or pull-through cables
  
• Scrapers that make it to the crevices within your BCG
  
• Good solvent and oil that won’t leave behind gunk

The tools you use make a difference. More than half the problems we encounter are due to folks using the cheap plastic brushes or forcing the wrong rod down their barrel.

Mistake #2: Neglecting the BCG

Your bolt carrier group is the heart of the entire operation. If it’s dirty, slow, or carbon-coated, your rifle’s gonna let you down sooner rather than later.

Break it down. Every time. Remove the firing pin, cam pin, bolt, and clean all of them. Remove that carbonized crud on the bolt tail. Clean out the carrier where that crud likes to collect. Dry it out, oil it up, reassemble it properly.

That’s the step most people avoid, and it’s precisely why their gun begins to choke after a few hundred rounds.

Mistake #3: Over-Oiling (or Forgetting to Oil at All)

You don’t have to lube your rifle to death. That’s not going to help anyone. In fact, too much oil just creates a sticky mess, especially when combined with carbon.

But drying out? That’s a fast way to burn out your parts.

The trick here is balance. Light coat. Key areas:

• Bolt and lugs
  
• Cam pin
  
• Carrier rails
  
• Buffer spring
  
• Charging handle

Assume it’s shining, great. If it’s dripping, dial it back. Easy.

Mistake #4: Failure to Clean the Chamber

You’d be amazed at how many guys bypass this step. They clean the bore, perhaps wipe down the BCG, and call it a day. But a dirty chamber generates many of the feeding and extraction problems we experience.

You need a chamber brush, the one that looks like a star. Scrub inside those locking lugs. Get the grime out, dry it off, and you’ll avoid a ton of headaches down the line.

Mistake #5: Spraying It With the Wrong Stuff

Just because it says “cleaner” doesn’t mean it belongs near your rifle. WD-40? Nope. Brake cleaner? Absolutely not. Household degreasers? Forget it.

Some of them strip finishes, attract dust, or leave a residue that gums things up. Use cleaners and oils specifically designed for firearms. They’re designed for the task and won’t interfere with your coatings or internals.

And yeah, we stock those at Red Cliffs Tactical. Not because it’s a trend, but because we’ve used them, abused them, and trust them.

Mistake #6: Cleaning Without Inspecting

Cleaning time is checking time. Don’t just run your rifle through it by rote; take a minute and examine what’s happening inside your rifle.

Check for:

• Cracked or chipped bolt lugs
  
• Loose gas key screws
  
• Worn-out or uneven buffer spring
  
• Gas rings that are not aligned.
  
• Weird wear on your cam pin or bolt face

You don’t require a gunsmith cert to notice something’s wrong. Just look closer. Early detection of a problem can prevent you from a true failure down the line.

Mistake #7: Hurrying It Through

We all do it. You’re fatigued, the range session’s over, and you just want to dump the rifle in the safe and deal with it later. Bad habit. Very bad.

The more you delay, the more difficult that filth becomes to remove. Then, when you finally get around to cleaning it, you’re either annoyed or tempted to rush through again.

Establish a routine:

• Unload and empty your rifle
  
• Split the upper and lower.
  
• Remove the BCG and charging handle.
  
• Clean the bore and chamber.
  
• Clean and lubricate the BCG
  
• Wipe down, check, and reassemble
  
• Function test

You can have it done in 20-30 minutes if you concentrate. That’s not too much to ask, and it’ll prevent a lot of problems in the long term.

Want to Learn This Stuff Hands-On?

If you’re local or just passing through southern Utah, you ought to take a visit to the Redcliffs rifle & pistol range. We’re not merely some anonymous gear store. We shoot, we train, and we assist people in becoming more comfortable with their rifles.

We’ve taught newbies how to properly care for a rifle, and we’ve schooled vets who simply want to hone their routine. Doesn’t matter where you’re at. Level up if that’s what you need; we’ll meet you there.

And sure thing, if upgrading your gear is in order, we’ve got you covered. From quality cleaning gear to parts, optics, and accessories, we’ve stocked what gets the job done.

Bottom Line: Keep Your Rifle in Good Condition, and It Will Keep You Afloat

ARs are durable, but they ain’t invincible. An abandoned rifle is no good. A well-serviced, clean rifle? That’s a machine you can rely on.

You don’t have to be fanatical. Just be regular.

Invest in a quality AR-15 rifle cleaning kit, maintain a judicious routine, pay attention to the details, and don’t skimp. Your rifle is worth it, and if you ever need it to get the job done, you’ll be thankful you took the time.

Ready to Clean Smarter and Shoot Sharper?

We’ve assisted a lot of shooters transition from “I think I’m doing it right” to “Yeah, I’ve got this.” Whether you require improved tools, improved habits, or just a location where you can train with other people who care, Red Cliffs Tactical is where you begin.

Come on out with us to the Redcliffs rifle & pistol range, or pick up what you require from the store. We’re always loaded with battle-tested gear, good advice, and no BS.

Let’s keep your rifle performing well. And let’s have you properly prepared every time you get to the line.

FAQs

Q: Do you carry full AR-15 cleaning kits?
Yep. We’ve got good, rifle-specific kits, none of that flimsy universal crap.

Q: How often do I need to clean my AR?
Ideally, after each range day. But at the very least, every few hundred rounds.

Q: Can I receive assistance at the Redcliffs range?
Absolutely. We’ve got people present who can show you how or answer questions.Q: Do you stock AR parts and upgrades as well?
Definitely uppers, lowers, triggers, optics, mags, and all the bits and bobs you’ll need to build or upgrade your rig.