You are about to delve into an in-depth exploration of the Brownells-CMMG AR-15/M16 Gas Piston conversion kit Cleaning video produced by Brownells, Inc. This comprehensive guide illustrates step-by-step how to properly maintain your CMG AR-15 gas piston conversion kit using essential items such as a 0.375 brush, gun solvent, cleaning patches, and more. Understand that this practical demonstration simplifies the complex task into a quick five-minute procedure, thus emphasizing the efficiency of your cleaning process.
In this review, you will learn how to manage your equipment effectively, ensuring optimal firearm performance by correctly disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling your rifle. The importance of not using lubricants on these components is also emphasised, with an explanation on how this could lead to accumulation of additional carbon and falen, possibly resulting in your gas system malfunctioning. The assurance of informed and resourceful handling of your AR-15/M16 Gas Piston Conversion Kit is what you can expect to gain from this analysis.
Understanding the Components of Brownells-CMMG AR-15/M16 Gas Piston Conversion Kit
Discussion on the Design
The Brownells-CMMG AR-15/M16 Gas Piston Conversion Kit is meticulously designed to provide a more efficient and cleaner operating system for your firearm. It replaces the traditional direct gas impingement system used in standard AR-15/M16 rifles. By utilizing a gas piston instead of driving exhaust gases directly into the bolt carrier, this conversion system helps prevent carbon build-up, resulting in reduced cleaning time and an extended lifespan for your firearm.
Main components and their functions
The primary components consist of a gas piston, a piston spring, a front gas plug, a gas block, and a gas retainer washer. The gas piston drives the bolt carrier, propelled by the gas pressure following a round discharge. The piston spring returns the piston to its initial position after each cycle. The gas plug, attached at the end of the gas block, helps regulate the gas flow, while the washer ensures its secure fitting. The gas block diverts a portion of the fired round’s propellant gas from the barrel to push the piston and initiate the firearm’s loading cycle.
Significance of each component in Shooting
Each component plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance and reliability of your firearm during shooting. By reducing the excessive heat and carbon build-up commonly experienced in the traditional direct gas impingement system, the conversion kit ensures smoother functioning, greater reliability, and superior performance, resulting in better accuracy and range during shooting.
Understanding the conversion kit
The Gas Piston Conversion Kit serves as a retrofit package allowing you to transform your conventional AR-15/M16 into a more reliable and less maintenance-demanding firearm. By preventing exhaust gases from entering the bolt carrier, it ensures cleaner operation, reducing cleaning frequency and overall wear and tear. Understanding the kit and its components will aid in efficient installation, operation, and maintenance.
Overview of Cleaning Procedures
Importance of regular cleaning
regular cleaning of your Brownells-CMMG AR-15/M16 Gas Piston Conversion Kit ensures reliability, preserves durability, and enhances performance accuracy. Cleaning prevents the accumulation of carbon, dirt, and other residue, which could otherwise lead to malfunctions or damage. It also provides an opportunity to inspect the components for any signs of abnormal wear or damage that might necessitate replacement or repair.
Tips and precautions before starting the cleaning process
Before you commence the cleaning process, set up a clean workspace with sufficient lighting and ventilation. Ensure to put on safety glasses to protect your eyes from airborne particles or solvent splashes. Be heedful not to lose any small parts during disassembly and always follow proper disassembly and reassembly procedures as outlined in the manual or guides.
General indicators that suggest cleaning is necessary
Observing regular cleaning schedules is vital, but certain signs can indicate that your Gas Piston Conversion Kit requires immediate attention. These include increased recoil, a drop in shooting accuracy, a stiffened action, or visible residue build-up. Such indications typically suggest accumulated dirt, carbon or other fouling that needs urgent cleaning.
The Cleaning Tools and Materials
List of cleaning tools and material needed
The cleaning process demands a specific set of tools and materials. These include a good gun solvent, a short cleaning rod furnished with a 0.375 brush and patch holder, shop rag, .38 caliber cleaning patches, a 7/32 Hex head wrench, anti-seize compound, a nylon or wood dowel or rod about 8 inches long, and a small hammer.
Description of each tool and its function
The gun solvent helps to dissolve the carbon build-up, while the cleaning rod with a brush and patch holder helps to scrub and wipe the interior parts clean. The Hex-head wrench aids in disassembling the parts, and the cleaning patches assist in wiping down parts. The dowel or rod helps in removing the piston, and the small hammer can facilitate this process if necessary.
Explaining the importance of anti-seize compound and solvent
The solvent is essential for breaking down carbon fouling and for ensuring clean interior surfaces, while the anti-seize compound provides a protective layer, decreasing friction between components and preventing seizing and galling during operation. This results in the smoother operation of your firearm and increased component longevity.
Safety measures while dealing with cleaning materials
It’s crucial to take appropriate safety measures when handling cleaning materials. Ensure proper ventilation to avoid inhaling fumes from the solvent, and wear safety gloves and glasses to protect your skin and eyes. Make sure to store your cleaning materials out of reach of children and pets.
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Initial Steps of Cleaning Process
Ensuring firearm is unloaded
Before starting the cleaning process, ensure that the firearm is unloaded to prevent any accidental discharges. Remove the magazine, open the bolt, and visually confirm that the chamber is empty.
Separating the two halves of the rifle
Once sure that the firearm is safe to handle, proceed to separate the two halves of your rifle – the upper and lower receivers. This allows you to gain access to the internal parts requiring cleaning.
Removing the charging handle and bolt carrier
Remove the charging handle and bolt carrier from your upper receiver, following the procedures outlined in your firearm’s instruction manual. These parts are separate from the Gas Piston Conversion Kit but removing them offers more room to work with and can also benefit from a quick clean.
Cleaning the Front Gas Plug
Use of Hex wrench to remove the front gas plug
With your 7/32 Hex head wrench, carefully remove the front gas plug. This plug at the end of the gas block helps regulate the flow of exhaust gases.
Handling the gas retainer washer during removal process
As you remove the gas plug, be careful not to lose the gas retainer washer. This small but crucial part ensures that the plug is securely held in place.
Care instructions while dealing with the gas plug assembly
When handling the gas plug assembly, be delicate to prevent damage or deformation. These parts tolerate high gas pressures during operation, and any damage can affect their accuracy and dependability. Handle with care to maintain their integrity.
Cleaning the Piston and Piston Spring
Procedure for removing the piston and piston spring
If you’ve done a small amount of shooting, you can tip your upper receiver, and the piston and piston spring should slide out. Otherwise, you can use a dowel or rod and a small hammer to drive out the piston.
Usage of dowel or rod in piston removal
In case the piston doesn’t slide out easily, introduce a wood or nylon dowel or rod into the back of the upper receiver against the piston operating rod. By applying gentle pressure with a small hammer, the piston can be driven out.
Application and motion of cleaning brush
Once the piston and spring are removed, apply some solvent on your cleaning brush and work the brush back and forth to remove the accumulated carbon.
Detailed procedure for wiping down of piston and spring
After brushing, wipe down the piston and spring with a patch soaked in solvent. The piston is hard chrome, and some discoloration may occur at the head, which is normal and not a cause for concern.
Cleaning the Gas Block
Understanding the function of the gas block
The gas block diverts the high-pressure gases generated by the firing of a round, driving the piston to cycle the firearm’s action. As such, keeping it clean ensures the gases flow unimpeded, enhancing the cycle’s effectiveness and overall firearm performance.
Use of solvent in cleaning the gas block
Using patches soaked in solvent, wipe the interior of the gas block to remove any carbon build-up. This ensures a smooth gas flow for optimal performance.
Reinstallation of the piston and spring into the gas block
Once cleaned, reinstall the piston and spring into the gas block, ensuring they are positioned correctly for smooth operation during subsequent firings.
Cleaning The Plug and Washer
Use of solvent in cleaning the plug and washer
Clean the plug and washer thoroughly with patches soaked in solvent. This helps to maintain their integrity and ensure a secure and leak-free gas plug assembly.
Key points to remember during this cleaning step
When cleaning the plug and washer, check for any signs of wear or damage that might necessitate replacement. Ensure they are completely clean and dry before reassembly; any remaining residue or moisture can attract more carbon or cause corrosion, respectively.
Reassembly of Components
Steps for reassembling the components
When all parts have been cleaned and checked for integrity, it’s time to reassemble the components. Follow your firearm’s instructions for correct reassembly procedures to ensure proper alignment and fitting.
Applying anti-seize compound to the threads of piston plug
Before reassembling, apply a small amount of anti-seize compound to the threads of your piston plug. This helps prevent sticking and galling under the high temperature and pressure conditions during firing.
Reinstallation of the charging handle and bolt carrier
Once the gas piston conversion kit has been reassembled and secure, reinstall the charging handle and the bolt carrier back into their respective places in the upper receiver.
Conclusion
Summary of key points
In this guide, you’ve learned about the components of the Brownells-CMMG AR-15/M16 Gas Piston Conversion Kit, their functions, and their roles in shooting performance. You have also learned about the importance of regular cleaning, the necessary tools and materials for cleaning, and the step-by-step cleaning procedure.
Re-emphasizing importance of regular cleaning
Regular cleaning is an essential aspect of maintaining your Gas Piston Conversion Kit and ultimately, your firearm’s performance and longevity. By keeping your kit clean and conducting regular checkups, you will enjoy a smoother operation and exceptional performance from your firearm.
Concluding Thoughts About Brownells-CMMG AR-15/M16 Gas Piston Conversion Kit
The Brownells-CMMG AR-15/M16 Gas Piston Conversion Kit offers a solution to carbon build-up and the overall high maintenance demands of traditional direct gas impingement systems. Understanding how to properly care for your conversion kit ensures you continually benefit from the advantages it offers in enhancing your firearm’s reliability and performance longevity.
