lubricating the ar15

[Jay26]

Just purchased an AR last month and love the rifle. i can't believe how accurate they are. I have one question though: How much oil is required in an AR, and where exactly should it be applied? Right now I apply a couple drops around the charging handle, is this sufficient??

[JellyBelly]

I use a very light grease, about the consistency of vasoline, along the rails for the carrier to move back and forth. Just a light coating dabbed on with a Q-Tip is all my AR needs.

[RMTactical]

I use very little oil. Mostly on the bolt (not the bolt face) and the sides of the carrier that touch the inside of the receiver. I've shot as much as 800-1000 rounds without any issues or forseen reliability issues. The only reason I didn't go any further is because I wanted to clean the rifle and re-oil it because I hate a dirty gun.

You need some, but I don't like my BCG's dripping with oil except when I am breaking them in.

[MrMurphy]

A drop on either side of the bolt, sometimes one into the locking lug area, and the charging handle. That's it.

A dry lube like Militec is better for dusty conditions.

[recon]

CLP/BreakFree! Its all you need!

http://www.break-free.com/?location=/main.asp

[CaptToyota]

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=273382

couple drops to rails where carrier ride, couple drop to top rail and key where it ride, and 1 drop in each exhaust hole on the side of the carrier, hand cycle a few times, load and shoot.

[m4arc]

I run mine wet.

In every class I've ever taken I've seen more malfunctions due to inproper lubrication than any other reason. I always keep a little bottle of CLP in my kit and hit the BCG with a few drops during breaks.

[doktarZues]

The only place I lube it is on the sides of the bolt carrier group, the rest of it gets cleaned with CLP then wiped down between firing. The actual bolt I try and leave a little wet but not enough to form a drop. Don't be afraid to squirt some lube in there if you need to though. -dok

[creophus]

I keep mine pretty well lubed up too. Any excess is just gonna sweat out, so no real harm in it. I use CLP also, so my theory is that it helps when its time to clean it. :)