Whether you’re a new owner performing routine maintenance or a seasoned shooter preparing for a deep clean, knowing how to take apart your rifle is a fundamental skill. The process is surprisingly straightforward, designed with field-stripping in mind for quick access to the most critical components. With a little practice, this procedure will become second nature, ensuring your AR-15 remains reliable and accurate for years to come.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of how to disassemble an AR-15? [Expert Step-By-Step Guide]. We’ll start with a basic field strip, which is all you need for most cleaning sessions, and then progress to a more detailed disassembly of the bolt carrier group. Remember, always start by ensuring the weapon is completely safe: point it in a safe direction, remove the magazine, and visually and physically confirm the chamber is empty.
Gathering Your Tools and Preparing Your Workspace
Before you begin, it’s helpful to have a few items on hand. For a basic field strip, you often need no tools at all. However, having a clean, well-lit workspace with a soft surface, like a towel, will protect your rifle’s finish. For more detailed work, a set of punches, especially a starter punch for the bolt carrier group, is invaluable. Having some basic cleaning supplies ready—solvent, lubricant, and patches—means you can maintain your rifle immediately after disassembly.
How to Disassemble an AR-15? [Expert Step-By-Step Guide]
Let’s begin with the field-stripping process. This is the core disassembly procedure that every AR-15 owner should master.
Step 1: Safety Check and Separate the Upper and Lower Receivers
Once you have confirmed the rifle is unloaded, push the takedown pin (located just above the trigger guard on the right side) from right to left. Next, push the pivot pin (located just above the magazine well) from right to left. The upper receiver should now hinge away from the lower receiver. You can then completely separate the two halves by pulling them apart.
Step 2: Remove the Bolt Carrier Group
With the upper receiver separated and placed on your towel, you can now remove the bolt carrier group (BCG). Reach inside the upper receiver and pull the charging handle rearward. The bolt carrier group will slide out with it. Once it’s clear, you can lift the BCG out of the charging handle and set it aside.
Step 3: Remove the Charging Handle
The charging handle is now free. Simply pull it straight back and out of the upper receiver. At this point, your AR-15 is field-stripped. For a great many cleaning tasks, this level of disassembly is perfectly sufficient.
Breaking Down the Bolt Carrier Group
For a more thorough cleaning, especially after firing a significant amount of ammunition, you’ll want to disassemble the bolt carrier group itself.
Step 1: Remove the Firing Pin Retainer Pin
Hold the bolt carrier group in your non-dominant hand with the bolt face facing away from you. Use a punch or the tip of a cartridge to push the firing pin retainer pin out from left to right. It does not need to come all the way out; just push it until it’s clear of the channel.
Step 2: Remove the Firing Pin
With the retainer pin out of the way, the firing pin can now slide freely. Turn the BCG over, and the firing pin will slide out the rear of the carrier.
Step 3: Remove the Cam Pin
Now, rotate the bolt itself until the large cutout on the carrier is visible. You will see the cam pin. This pin is keyed, so it will only come out one way. Simply grasp it and turn it 90 degrees, then lift it straight out.
Step 4: Remove the Bolt
With the cam pin removed, the bolt can now be slid straight out the front of the bolt carrier. Be cautious, as the bolt extractor and its spring are under tension. You have now fully disassembled the bolt carrier group into its main components.
Reassembling Your Rifle with Confidence
Reassembly is essentially the reverse of the disassembly process. For the bolt carrier group, insert the bolt back into the carrier. Slide the cam pin back into its slot and rotate it 90 degrees to lock it in place. Drop the firing pin into the rear of the carrier until it stops. Finally, re-insert the firing pin retainer pin, ensuring it snaps securely into its groove.
To reassemble the rifle, place the charging handle into the upper receiver, then insert the bolt carrier group into the charging handle’s grooves and slide the entire assembly into the upper receiver. Mate the upper and lower receivers together and push the pivot pin and takedown pin back into place from left to right. Always perform a function check by pulling the charging handle to the rear and releasing it, then dry-firing (in a safe direction) to ensure the hammer falls correctly.
Final Thoughts on AR-15 Disassembly
Disassembling your AR-15 is a simple, logical process that is key to responsible ownership. Regular cleaning and inspection not only keep your rifle functioning reliably but also familiarize you with its inner workings. By following this step-by-step guide, you can confidently break down your rifle for maintenance, building the knowledge and skill that makes you a more proficient and safe shooter. Remember to always prioritize safety and double-check your work during reassembly.