YukonGlocker, after I made my last post I went and tried exactly the method you described. I put the rod through from the muzzle end, then screwed the brush on and pulled it up through the barrel from the chamber. THAT worked. Thanks for the response. Sure is a pain to have to unscrew and screw the darn brush though. A bit awkward to manage but I think I'll get more adept with practice.
Now, my next question is: What is the proper way to use the "chamber brush". It is a brush with two bristle areas, one brass colored and a larger diameter part at the back that is silver colored. The brass part is quite a bit thicker than the regular .22 brush normally used for the barrel, so how do engage/use this chamber brush properly?
I've never had an AR rifle before, so this is all new to me, so forgive the noob questions.
Based on my reading elsewhere of AR cleaning, it seems like I need to get some pipe cleaners as well for the gas pipe/system? I'm suprised that an "AR specific" cleaning kit did not come with them if they are a normal part of AR maintenance.