Americans recognize the AR-15 rifle as their most popular weapon because it provides flexibility together with dependable function and upgradeable design. Both novice and experienced owners of AR-15 rifles need to understand the proper method of disassembly. A properly maintained AR-15 rifle, together with regular cleaning operations, defines the duration of product reliability. Understanding how to disassemble an AR 15 will transform you into a better firearm maintainer who can address problems that occur while you operate a weapon.
The article delivers comprehensive instructions about AR breakdown, and how to field strip an AR 15, in addition to providing step-by-step directions for rebuilding with safety guidelines.
To better understand the components that make up your AR-15, read our detailed guide to each AR-15 component.
Safety Precautions: The First Step in AR-15 Disassembly
Safety assumes the number one position for all AR 15 disassembly operations. During your entire time with a firearm, you remain safe from injuries, and so do people standing nearby by following proper firearm procedures.
- Ensure the Firearm is Unloaded
Your first necessary step to begin disassembly of the AR-15 requires verifying it has no ammunition inside. Start by removing the magazine. Moving the charging handle backward frees any bullet currently present in the weapon chamber. Before starting please verify that the chamber is empty of ammunition. Always perform a personal check of the rifle for ammunition absence before you continue.
- Prepare a Safe Workspace
You should establish a clean area within a distraction-free workspace that receives enough light for the operation. This task needs a firm table accompanied by a workbench. Protective equipment like gloves and eye shield should be within reach before beginning. A carefully managed work area decreases the potential of misplacing small parts when disassembling AR 15.
Tools Required for AR-15 Disassembly
Every AR-15 model provides users with expert AR 15 field strip capability using no special tools. A single set of necessary items placed near the work area will improve your disassembly process.
- Cleaning kit: includes a cleaning rod plus bore brush and patches joined by lubricant materials to enable effective maintenance operations.
- The punch set: provides users with valuable assistance for removing pins during detailed disassembly tasks.
- Hammer: to take apart your rifle during disassembly, you require a small-sized hammer to remove its pins.
- Soft cloth/mat: your rifle finish benefits from the combination of soft cloth or mat material as they prevent both damage and scratching.
- Lubricant and Cleaning solvent: the rifle needs lubricant matched with cleaning solvent to enable proper maintenance of its components.
The tools you already own at home will suffice when you start to break down AR rifle since common cleaning supplies make up most of these items.
Step-by-Step Guide to Disassembling an AR-15
You should move ahead with disassembling your AR-15 once you set up your safety procedures and obtain all necessary tools. Follow these steps on how to disassemble ar 15 to carry out the process efficiently.
Step 1: Separate the Upper and Lower Receivers
- Push the rear takedown pin located above the pistol grip. This pin can be pushed from either side.
- Press on the front pivot pin located beside the magazine well to perform the action. The required operation can be performed through the use of internal or external force.
- You should complete the process by opening the receivers after both pins are extracted from their locations.
Step 2: Remove the Bolt Carrier Group
- The charging handle operation reveals the bolt carrier group so you can safely move to the following procedure.
- Drawing the BCG upward when extracting it from the upper receiver position requires gentle force. Struggling vibrations might be necessary to free the charging handle from its locked state.
Step 3: Disassemble the Bolt Carrier Group
- A retaining pin system enables the bolt carrier to reveal the firing pin until each step is completed for removal.
- You must extract the firing pin through the opening located at the bolt carrier’s rear end.
- Before removing the cam pin, you need to rotate it 90 degrees counterclockwise.
- The bolt should be moved backward from its position in the carrier using a sliding motion.
Step 4: Remove the Charging Handle
- Pull the charging handle in the direct line from the upper receiver. The BCG removal enables you to easily remove the assembly from the weapon system.
The AR 15 disassembly process has reached its conclusion since you successfully removed all significant components from the handgun.
Cleaning and Inspection: Ensuring Longevity and Reliability
Disassembly of your AR-15 enables you to conduct part inspection and cleaning for prolonged product life as well as to reach optimal operational reliability. Regular cleaning of the rifle stops unwanted carbon buildup and debris accumulation, which leads to operational difficulties.
- First, wipe both the upper and lower receivers with a dustless cloth, then brush away hidden particles that hide in minimal spaces.
- Placing the BCG into a cleaning solvent enables you to remove carbon deposits from it. To clean all parts of the bolt and carrying block and firing pin mechanism you must use a brush as part of the procedure. During inspections monitor the gas-regulating rings installed on the bolt carefully.
- The barrel needs bore brush treatment multiple times to result in clean cleaning patches.
- Fix a dry cloth on the Charging Handle while you brush its grooves before starting the cleaning process.
Inspection of gas rings and cracks and measurement of excessive metal wearing should be performed during the inspection. Problems in the weapon system should receive immediate attention or require professional gunsmith services for correction.
Reassembling Your AR-15
When putting together your disassembled AR 15 you need to perform steps that reverse the disassembly procedure. This is the accepted method to reassemble your rifle:
- The process of replacing the charging handle constitutes the installation of the firing assembly through reinsertion into the upper receiver.
- The proper handling of the Bolt Carrier Group requires feeding the bolt into its holder following the successful placement of the cam pin which needs to be firmly attached to the firing pin. Secure the mechanism through the retaining pin for installation.
- The upper receiver needs the BCG installed with an accurate alignment toward the charging handle.
- Start by positioning the upper receiver onto the lower receiver followed by careful insertion of both the front pivot pin along with the rear takedown pin into their designated slots.
Function Check: Ensuring Proper Operation
A functional test becomes essential for your AR-15 right after fitting and disassembling all components to validate the proper functioning of each part. Here’s how:
- The safety selector needs to be set to “safe” based on your safety check.
- Open the charging handle to perform a smooth operation test when moving the bolt forward.
- You should trigger the test for hammer release once you turn off the safety mechanism, then re-trigger the test with safety actuated before checking safety functionality again.
- An AR-15 becomes operational-ready only if all completed inspection tests show successful results.
The Importance of Regular AR-15 Maintenance
Dissembling and maintaining your rifle is a significant part of owning a rifle. Regular cleaning activities together with inspections keep your firearm reliable while early detection of problems becomes possible with disassembling AR-15 rifles. The disassembly knowledge builds understanding of rifle operations and establishes the ability in handling weapons as a responsible owner.
Safeguarding yourself and others stands as the main commandment throughout every action. Logistics and safety precautions must be implemented to guarantee protection for others present during any disassembling process.
When you learn the process of disassembling AR 15 and how to break down an AR 15, it goes beyond basic maintenance duties since you ensure the rifle functions properly while extending its lifespan.
If you want to learn more about how to properly store and maintain your AR-15, check out our guide on AR-15 storage and maintenance.
