Preventative Maintenance

Proper maintenance is essential for ensuring the reliability, longevity, and performance of your firearm. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for lubrication and maintenance specific to your firearm. The guidelines provided here are general best practices and may not apply to all makes and models. Improper lubrication or deviation from the manufacturer’s instructions may affect performance, safety, and warranty coverage. When in doubt, consult your firearm’s manual or contact the manufacturer for guidance.

Step 1: Ensure Safety First - Always Treat Every Firearm as if it’s Loaded

Always handle firearms with care. Ensure the firearm is completely unloaded before starting maintenance.

Remove any ammunition from the workspace.

Engage the safety mechanism if applicable.

Wear proper PPE, (gloves and eye protection) to avoid exposure to chemicals.

Always work in a well ventilated area to reduce fumes.

Step 2: Disassemble the Firearm

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for disassembly.

Keep small parts organized to avoid misplacement.

Step 3: Thorough Cleaning - Use a high quality gun cleaner to remove

Carbon buildup

Lead and copper fouling

Dirt and debris

Any remaining lubricant

Step 4: Lubricating your Firearm as recommended by your firearm’s manufacturer

Make sure all parts are completely clean and dry before applying CDA Lubricants Weapons Grease. Apply CDA Lubricants Weapons Grease to key friction points, moving parts, and metal-to-metal contact areas.

Step 5: Reassemble the Firearm

Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for reassembly. Ensure all components are securely in place.

Step 6: Final Inspection & Wipe Down

Cycle the action a few times to distribute the lubrication and force out any excess grease. Wipe off any lubricant on the exterior of your firearm to prevent residue buildup. Perform a function check to ensure the firearm operates properly. Store in a clean, dry place, away from moisture and contaminants.

Where should I apply grease on an AR-15

Where should I apply grease on an AR-15 and how much to use?

Bolt Carrier Group (BCG)
Proper lubrication of the BCG is essential for the smooth operation of a direct-impingement AR-15. Insufficient lubrication can cause friction buildup with every cycle, leading to mechanical failure. It’s nearly impossible to over-lubricate the BCG, as any excess grease between the sliding surfaces of the BCG and upper receiver will simply be pushed out during cycling. Apply a generous bead of grease on all four rails of the BCG, around the gas key, and a thin layer across the rest of the BCG's surface. Be careful not to apply grease on or near the firing pin area.

Cam Pin, Cam Channel, and Cam Retainer Pin
Lubricating the cam pin and cam channel is often overlooked, but they play a crucial role in the cycling of the bolt. The Cam Pin is what controls how far your bolt will move when cycling and is what connects the bolt to the BCG. Apply a heavy layer of grease to the top half of the cam pin where it contacts the BCG, and thoroughly grease the cam channel.

Upper Receiver
Apply a substantial amount of grease to all contact points where the BCG interacts with the upper receiver. Remember, gas-impingement systems perform best when adequately lubricated, so don't hesitate to apply plenty of grease.

AR-15 areas to avoid lubricating.

Are there areas I should avoid lubricating on my AR-15?

When lubricating your AR-15, it's crucial to know which areas to avoid in order to prevent issues like attracting dirt and debris, or even compromising your firearm’s functionality. While lubrication is essential for maintaining performance, certain components should remain clean and dry unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer or a professional gunsmith. The only time a gunsmith would generally recommend lubrication in these areas is for storage purposes, specifically as a rust and corrosion preventative. If you do apply lubricant in these spots, be sure to thoroughly clean the firearm and remove any lubricant before firing.

Firing Pin and Firing Pin Channel

Never apply lubricant to the firing pin or firing pin channel. Lubricants can attract debris, potentially causing misfires or reducing the reliability of the firing pin’s function.

Trigger Group

This includes the trigger, hammer and sear. The trigger group should remain clean and dry. Excessive lubrication in this area can attract dirt, grime, and carbon fouling, leading to sluggish or unreliable trigger function. Only lubricate in this area if directed to do so by the manufacturer or a professional gunsmith.

Gas Block and Gas Tube

Never apply lubricant to the gas block or gas tube. These components can reach extreme temperatures, often exceeding 1,000°F during operation. Lubricants applied here would quickly break down and offer no real benefit. In fact, they could potentially gunk up, compromising the reliability of your gas system.

Barrel

Lubricating the inside of the barrel is generally unnecessary and should only be done during cleaning or for storage purposes. It’s essential to thoroughly clean the barrel and remove any lubricant before firing. Lubricants can interfere with bullet performance and lead to accuracy issues or dangerous pressure buildups.

BCG Heat Management

Effective heat management is crucial for ensuring the longevity and reliable performance of the Bolt Carrier Group (BCG) and the overall weapon. Regular maintenance, proper lubrication, and monitoring temperature thresholds are essential for optimal operation. Preventing excessive heat buildup and ensuring proper BCG maintenance help preserve firearm functionality and reduce the risk of malfunctions or failures.

Heat Generation in Full-Auto Firing

When gas enters the gas tube, it impacts the BCG, initiating the weapon’s cycling process. Although the BCG is designed to endure significant heat, it can become excessively hot during sustained firing, particularly the bolt and carrier components. This heat buildup can have serious consequences if not properly managed.

Full-Auto Firing: The BCG cycles rapidly, with the bolt carrier moving back and forth within the upper receiver. This constant motion generates friction, while hot gas from each fired round contributes to heat buildup. The primary sources of heat are the bolt, carrier, and the surrounding areas of the gas system. During full-auto fire, temperatures of the BCG in an AR-15/M16 can range from 400F to 1,000F, depending on the duration and intensity of firing.
Semi-Auto or Burst Firing: Temperatures are generally more manageable, ranging from 200F to 500F. However, even in these modes, high temperatures can still impact performance if not controlled.

Temperature Breakdown (Approximate Ranges)

Based on our testing in both the heat of an Arizona summer and the cold of a North Idaho winter, here is an approximate breakdown of temperature ranges during different firing scenarios. These are estimates and may vary based on factors such as barrel length, material, ambient temperature, firing cadence, and environmental conditions. Actual results may differ:

Casual Semi-Auto Firing (regular breaks between strings of fire): 200F to 300F
Rapid Semi-Auto Fire (e.g., mag dump): 300F to 500F
Full-Auto Fire (1-2 magazines): 400F to 700F
Sustained Full-Auto Fire (multiple mags back-to-back): Can exceed 1,000F

At these extreme temperatures, the BCG's metal may discolor, and excessive heat could impact lubricant performance, increasing wear and the risk of malfunctions.

Lubrication Breakdown

Elevated temperatures can cause lubricants to break down, leading to increased friction and wear. Without proper lubrication, the BCG is prone to malfunctions. For this reason, high-temperature grease is recommended to ensure smoother cycling and reduced friction.

Material Considerations for Heat Tolerance

Most BCGs are made from heat-resistant steel alloys, such as Carpenter 158 or 9310, known for their high-temperature tolerance. While these materials can handle considerable heat, prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can weaken the steel, reducing its strength and overall durability.

Heat Soak

The temperature of the BCG will often continue rising after firing stops due to residual heat from the barrel and gas system.

Shorter Barrels and Heat Transfer

Faster Heat Transfer: Short barrels have less material to absorb and distribute heat, causing them to heat up more quickly.
Increased Gas Pressure: With less barrel length for gas expansion, pressure spikes sooner, resulting in hotter gases entering the gas tube and heating the BCG more rapidly.
Proximity of Gas Block: The shorter distance between the gas block and the chamber means heat has less time to dissipate before reaching the BCG.

Longer Barrels and Heat Transfer

Slower Heat Transfer: Longer barrels have more surface area to absorb and distribute heat, which delays heat buildup.
Lower Gas Pressure: The longer dwell time (distance between the chamber and gas port) allows gases to cool slightly before reaching the BCG.

Thin Barrel Profile (Pencil)

Faster Heat Buildup and Transfer: Thin barrels heat up quickly and transfer that heat to the upper receiver and BCG faster.
Faster Cool-Down: While they heat up quickly, thin barrels also cool down faster once firing stops.

Heavy Barrel Profile (HBAR)

Slower Heat Buildup and Transfer: Heavier barrels absorb more heat before it reaches the BCG.
Better Heat Distribution: Thicker barrels help spread heat more evenly, reducing hot spots.
Slower Cool-Down: While heavy barrels resist overheating longer, they retain heat longer once hot.

Where to lubricate a pistol

Slide Rails

Apply a thin bead of grease along the entire length of the slide on both sides where it makes contact with the frame. Lubricating the slide ensures a smooth movement and prevents unwanted contact between the slide and the frame.

Frame

Apply a dab of grease to the contact points that touch the slide. These are high friction areas and when properly lubricated your pistol will cycle more smoothly.

Locking Block and Barrel

Apply a small amount of grease to the exterior of the barrel and to the locking lugs where they make contact with the slide. The only time you should ever apply any lubricant inside the barrel is during cleaning or for storage purposes.

Trigger Assembly

Lightly lubricate near the rear of the frame by trigger bar, trigger spring, and sear where the trigger bar contacts the trigger connector. Avoid overdoing it and keep it off contact surfaces to prevent dirt buildup.

Are there areas I should Avoid Lubricating on a Pistol?

Firing Pin Channel / Striker Channel
Lubrication here can attract dirt and carbon, potentially causing light primer strikes, misfires, or failure to fire. This area should remain clean and dry.

Extractor and Extractor Channel
Lubrication in this area can cause debris buildup, leading to failures to extract or eject spent casings. Keep it clean and dry.

Breech Face

This can potentially cause the lubricants to come into contact with the primers or cartridge cases, increasing the risk of misfires or failures to fire. This area should remain free from lubrication.

Feed Ramp
While some users polish the feed ramp for smoother feeding, do not lubricate it. Lubrication can trap contaminants causing feeding issues.

Inside the Magazine Well
Lubrication here can attract dust and dirt that may interfere with feeding.

Magazines (Internal & External)
Magazines should be kept clean and dry. Lubrication inside the magazine can cause rounds to stick, slowing the spring’s movement and causing feeding failures.

Recoil Spring

Lubricating the recoil spring on your pistol is usually unnecessary and can attract dirt, causing malfunctions. If you do lubricate, apply a small amount to where the spring contacts the guide rod, not directly on the spring.