I’m currently sitting in a deer blind in McAllen, Texas where I’m taking clients hog hunting for the weekend. Two days ago, I was back in Virginia teaching a Basics of Rifle Shooting class to a group of 12-year-olds.
For both occasions, I use an AR-15.
Call me a millennial but I love the AR-15. It’s accurate, dependable, lightweight, takes a 30-round magazine, and won’t cripple my shoulder after shooting it all day.
It’s great for a fun day of plinking on the range with friends, hog or deer hunting, competition shooting, combat, and of course, the zombie apocalypse – or any apocalypse for that matter.
ARs are also so easily customized and tailored to one’s unique taste and preferences. It’s like a charm bracelet for gun people. You can collect all the fun accessories you want and develop it into something all your own. It’s a beautiful thing.
And I haven’t even gotten to the best part: when it comes to disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly, it doesn’t get easier than the AR-15.
In fact, when Armalite began designing the AR-15 in the 1950’s, part of the goal was to design a dependable, lightweight rifle that could be cleaned anywhere and in a hurry. And that’s exactly what they got in the now world-renowned AR-15 rifle.
Whether your AR is made by S&W, Wilson Combat, Rock River Arms, Ruger, Sig, Springfield, or any other manufacturer, they all break down in a very similar manner.
Here are some simple, step-by-step instructions for disassembling and cleaning your AR rifle.
- Of course, first ensure an empty chamber
- Pull back on charging handle and lock back with bolt hold open lever
- Field strip rifle first using pin tool. Pull both front and back takedown pins
- Remove buffer and buffer spring
- Disassemble bolt carrier assembly: firing pin retainer, firing pin itself, bolt cam pin, remove bolt, remove extractor pin, then the extractor itself.
- Soak bolt carrier assembly parts in cleaning solvent
- Set up rifle vise for easier cleaning
- Put the buffer and buffer spring back into place
- Clean chamber and locking lugs with brush
- Run a cleaning rod down the bore with a .22 caliber brush
- Lube bore mop and run down the bore
- Clean/wipe up bolt carrier parts
- Clean inside of gas key
- Reassemble bolt carrier group – lightly oil/lube everything
- Stagger gas ring gaps 60 degrees
- Ensure the extractor is at 11 o’clock position
- Be sure to lube the hammer and sear pivot springs, safety lever, bolt catch, rear and front pivot pins
- Actuate the action to distribute oil
And that’s it! I know it seems like a lot of steps but it’s really very simple, especially after you’ve done it a few times.
Enjoy!
Love the AR platform, though I’ve only owned it for 10 years. All for the reasons you list Grace.
Currently starting my 5th build, this one will be entirely retro. Just because I like the Idea of having one.
Have been a fan of the Carbine version of the AR for over 40 years. When the 350 Legend AR came out and I studied the ballistics, it dawned on me this is the 21st Century 94 Winchester or 336 Marlin. It costs no more to operate than the 5.56 has excellent ballistics with low recoil impulse. In the Carbine with collapsible stock anyone in the family could use it. The AR carbine whether in 5.56 or 350 Legend is one of the best family utility arms on the market. My original Bushmaster Shorty Dissipator is one of my favorite rifles, but the Shorty in 350 Legend will be my next AR purchase. The AR is America’s rifle for the 21st Century.