77Litespeed Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I have two Versa Maxes (Maxi?) and I am now shooting them more often than my rifle or pistol. I call it the new .22, since 12ga is readily available. Cleaning them is not a big deal except for the gas pistons. These things get pretty caked up and it takes a good bit time to get them cleaned back up. Does anyone have experience using FireClean on the gas pistons? Does it cut down on cleaning time, and does it interfere with the gun functioning? I've heard that these parts should not be oiled, even though I have been lightly lubing them. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moltke Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Lube the bolt assembly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpom Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Running a different gas gun, JM930, and always lube piston. No issues. Switched to Fireclean for easier cleaning. Only a hundred rounds, so too soon to tell if its better than other lubes, but figure metal to metal contact needs some lube to minimize wear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtp Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Running a different gas gun, JM930, and always lube piston. No issues. Switched to Fireclean for easier cleaning. Only a hundred rounds, so too soon to tell if its better than other lubes, but figure metal to metal contact needs some lube to minimize wear This is something I'd like to see others weigh in on, maybe Benny, Kurt, etc. I believe the VM says to not lube at all, and carbon itself will provide some amount of lubrication. Over-lubing a gas piston/rings/cylinder just seems likely to trap more powder 'by-product' and crap, leading to shortening time before cleaning is 'required.' I've gone back and forth on lubes on my JM, trying some dry lubes as well (gas system only, the action gets Slip2K). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitoR Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I use fireclean, and the more I use it the easier it gets to clean the piston and magazine. That goes for my XDm and competition AR too. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitoR Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 BTW, I use a very light film on both the piston and magazine. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77Litespeed Posted February 26, 2014 Author Share Posted February 26, 2014 Thanks for weighing in. I look forward to hearing other people's experience using fireclean on these parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntenseImage Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Firecleaned my brand new 930 JM ... Shot 100 rounds of federal bulk so far and not a single issue. Going to run it till it fails Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grifman23 Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 I use FireClean on the pistons on my 930, 1100, SLP, and AR bolts. Helps condition the metal and put keeps a barrier between the carbon and steel. It's much easier cleaning, similar to Slip 2000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadleyOwens Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I put fireclean in all of the vmaxs I build. Bolt, gas pistons, mag tube, recoil spring and in the trigger assembly. It's the best stuff I've found!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 The VM pistons and chambers are supposed to be run dry. It can be an expensive mistake to lube them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtp Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 The VM pistons and chambers are supposed to be run dry. It can be an expensive mistake to lube them. That's what I thought. What's the possible damage in lubing them, other than shorter time to fouling/possible cycling issues? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Pumping fluid creates more mechanical pressure than gas. Same issue as if you have too much lube in the bore. If you stretch out the cylinder, it will never function right. I know there have been some cracked cylinders and at least 2 that were run wet that got buldged. Unlikely with just a little oil, but don't push your luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Therealkoop Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 I run the Vmax pistons dry. They are similar in concept to the M14 piston which is also run dry. You know what a popular upgrade for the m14 is? A TiN coated piston. Someone should start making them for the Vmax. I dont think it would be of any value but people would probably buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerhead Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 You shouldn't have to clean the pistons on the VERSA Max very often, maybe never. If you are seeing fouling that binds them up then you have something abnormal going on. The only thing I've seen bog them down is wad material skived by the gas ports. That issue was corrected during development and I've never heard of it being a problem in the field. Given the pressures and temperature of gas they see, they do pretty much clean themselves out and you should only be seeing dry, powdery carbon residue. I've observed tests where 5k and 10k rounds were fired between cleanings and nothing of consequence built up. I would not be afraid to oil them either. I don't believe it can hurt and probably gets burned off quickly. With all due respect to Mark, I would have to see more evidence before I believe excessive lube resulted in bulged or cracked gas blocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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