The analysis of the formation of carbon deposits in small arms on the example of the AK-74M submachine gun and the characteristics of its x-ray phase and elemental composition. To ensure the operability of small arms, they must be promptly cleaned of carbon deposits, protected from corrosion and created an oil wedge on the nodes and parts of the lubrication. It is shown that domestic gun oils or their foreign analogues of the "CLP” class cannot completely remove carbon deposits and copper plating from the barrels of small arms, so it is necessary to develop new special compositions. Tests of a number of detergent-dispersing additives were carried out, which showed that their introduction, both in the composition of hydrocarbon fuels and in the composition of gun oil in a concentration of 0.25-0.5% improves their washing (cleaning) ability, without reducing the protective properties of oils.