How clean should a weapon be before I take it into the arms room?

2017-09-17T21:13:29-04:00

I had an inspection when I first took over the arms room. Turns out the previous armorer wasn't on top of things and the inspection was miserable. Only 5 weapons (NOT exaggerating) were actually clean. I've been extremely picky (as picky as my DS used to be), but now I'm thinking that might be too much. Any advice as to how clean weapons should be would be greatly appreciated!

Response by SSG Diane R. made Sep 17 at 2017 9:20 PM

2017-09-17T21:20:02-04:00

Weapons should be cleaned in accordance with current guidelines. When I was an armorer I refused to take a weapon back until it was clean.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/08/01/cleaning-the-m4-carbine-army-approved-process/

cleaning-the-m4-carbine-army-approved-process

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2017 9:34 PM

2017-09-17T21:34:21-04:00

It's your job man. You shouldn't have to change the standard you're on now to befit other people. I will say some armorers do take it to the next level of cleanliness, but for all good reasons.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Sep 17 at 2017 9:42 PM

2017-09-17T21:42:59-04:00

Cleaning a weapon isn't exactly hard to do, We drew weapons each duty day and cleaned them ourselves before turning them in. I had already checked My weapon to make sure it was clean and would pass inspection by the Armorer. In the long run if I didn't take care of My own weapon i put Myself at risk, it had to be fully operational if I needed to use it. Also make sure You put some light oil on the moving parts to insure they move freely as they should. Keep Your hands off the metal parts, the moisture in Your hands can cause rust. Its not complicated and in everyone's best interest to take care of this equipment and everyone should be picky about the weapon being clean and serviceable.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 17 at 2017 11:22 PM

2017-09-17T23:22:08-04:00

When you are in charge, take charge!

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Sep 18 at 2017 12:53 AM

2017-09-18T00:53:28-04:00

Clean enough to eat off of them. Not that you'd want to. Or maybe you would, who knows...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2017 10:58 AM

2017-09-18T10:58:54-04:00

They don't need to be "inspection clean" in my opinion. What I mean is, if these weapons are trained with on a frequent basis, a little black on your finger after swiping the star chamber isn't a big deal in my book. If it's caked on, that's a problem. It takes very little time to punch the bore and clean the bolt carrier group and star chamber. At least to get the "gunk" out of it. I want my weapons functional, not sterile.

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Sep 18 at 2017 11:12 AM

2017-09-18T11:12:52-04:00

unless things have changed you are supposed to have 3 cleaning times within a 3 day period after the weapons were used at the range. we had sign in sheets with serial numbers/id's to keep track of which was used. by the 2nd time of cleaning the weapon should be white glove inspection. I had extra rifles in my inventory. I spent my extra time cleaning the extras then using cap covers over the barrels to prevent dirt and dust from contamination

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 18 at 2017 11:33 AM

2017-09-18T11:33:08-04:00

A properly cleaned and lubed weapon will be free of carbon buildup and dirt but will still "bleed" carbon on a lube saturated rag.
If the weapon components are stripped of all carbon trace, you have stripped it of the lube as well... that Is WRONG.
No deposits , no build up, but not white rag clean

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Sep 18 at 2017 11:50 AM

2017-09-18T11:50:59-04:00

One of the damn few "Army things" I ever excelled in was having a clean weapon. Okay, so I was never Audie Murphy, Super Army knowledge Knower Ninja Guy. I accept that.

Weapons cleaning was my moment of Zen. I didn't worry about it, I cleaned for the sake of a clean weapon. But that's me. If your concern is the Arms Room, just remember your guiding principal (not necessarily theirs) should be "good enough is never good enough", and you can't go wrong. May as well, as generally you clean to standard, not to time. Clean as best as you can, but don't stress over it. Considering that carbon will leach out from the metal anyway, even the cleanest weapon does not stay clean in the Arms Room forever.

Response by AN Christopher Crayne made Sep 18 at 2017 4:38 PM

2017-09-18T16:38:23-04:00

The weapon is to be thoroughly cleaned and oiled to standards. You should always inspect them before accepting any into the armory.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 18 at 2017 5:19 PM

2017-09-18T17:19:10-04:00

Well you said the inspection went bad, so the first thing I would change is get all the weapons to the point where you are passing the inspection. That should be considered your baseline. Now if you want to go above and beyond that, feel free. It's your program, so you set the standard.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Sep 18 at 2017 6:01 PM

2017-09-18T18:01:07-04:00

Clean it like your life depends on it... it does.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Sep 18 at 2017 7:02 PM

2017-09-18T19:02:02-04:00

If you are the armorer, you decide what is clean. If it ain't clean to your standards, it ain't clean........

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Sep 18 at 2017 10:15 PM

2017-09-18T22:15:34-04:00

You may not like my answer but when I was a 1SG the Unit Armourer inspected every weapon before it was accepted back into the Arms Room. Often assisted by Supply SGT, PSGs, or even 1SG. If the Unit Armourer accepted the weapon as clean it then became his responsibility for higher level inspection. If the Unit Armourer said it was dirty the owner cleaned it as directed. A few times I had Platoon SGTs or the like try to pull rank on the Unit Armourer. That is a no go he must have the backing of the 1SG and CDR to not accept any dirty weapons. HQ Units have it the worst with Majors and SGMs who try to pull rank on CDR or 1SG with dirty weapons! At times sections sent detailed soldiers to clean unassigned weapons that were dirty for personnel on leave, pass, or long term service schools. If weapons failed a MAIT inspection for dirty it was a direct reflection on the Armourer, Supply SGT, 1SG, and CDR. We never failed one when I was a 1SG. We were almost always notified of up coming Inspections. Unit should have an SOP on weapons cleaning procedures with ins and outs explained. If you don't have one ask your chain of Command about it. Sometimes you ask your buddies if they have a good one. Get a copy of it, put it on electronic media and offer it to them as a starting point. For instance who is responsible to clean unassigned weapons for unassigned MTOE personnel? Leave, pass, service schools etc. Hope this helps!