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[–] zaitcev 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago  (edited ago)

Ironically, on AR one can get away with a cleaning rod made from iron. I had one of those GI kits for years until I managed to squish its brush holder with an ammo can. The reason it works is that on AR you stick the rod in from the breech side, thus preserving the crown. An iron rod damages the crown easily, but it does not wear the lining along the length of the barrel so much.

Russians continue cleaning their weapons from the muzzle even today, and they use iron rods just like we do. They do it by using a centering cap that prevents a contact of the rod with the crown.

That said, of course it's better to use a rod that is softer than the barrel. A plastic or aluminum rod works.

As you already found out, your patch holder has to be small enough.

Before you start dealing with crevice tools, remember that Armalite even had to circulate official warnings against excessive cleaning. They were concerned that cleaning with tools caused damage as people tried to remove carbon build-up. They told to leave alone all the areas where the gas tube meets the carrier. It is only needed to remove the carbon from friction areas, such as cam cutout. Unfortunately, I don't have a link handy, but IIRC it ended with a conclusion that all you need is a brush. Nylon brushes are essentially disposable nowadays.