How to Disassemble, Lubricate and Reassemble an AR-15

Disassembly

• 1

  Locate the rear take-down pin behind the fire selector switch, on the left side of the weapon. Press it through the receiver and pivot the upper receiver forward. Press out the forward take-down pin and separate the upper receiver from the lower receiver.

• 2

  Press down on the small retention pin located near the bottom of the face of the buffer plug (the buffer plug extends into the stock). Remove the buffer spring assembly and separate the spring from the plug.

• 3

  Turn the upper receiver upside down, pull the charging handle back approximately 3 inches and remove the bolt carrier. Line up the tabs on the charging handle with the notches of the upper receiver and remove it.

• 4

  Remove the firing pin retention pin, centrally located on the bolt carrier, and remove the firing pin.

• 5

  Rotate the bolt clockwise, exposing the cam pin. Turn the cam pin a quarter-turn and remove it. Slide the bolt out of the bolt carrier.

• 6

  Press the extractor on the side of the bolt and lift out the extractor pin. Remove the extractor; be careful not to separate the spring from the extractor.

• 7

  Press down on the hand guard retention ring, at the base of the barrel, and remove the barrel shrouds.

Lubrication

• 8

  Use a small brush to remove any dirt or dust buildup off your weapon.

• 9

  Use clean rags and a gun solvent to wipe off any carbon buildup or moisture from all the pieces of your rifle. Use a barrel cleaning rod to clean the interior of the barrel with solvent.

• 10

  Apply a small amount of gun oil to a clean patch and pass it through the barrel. Apply a light coating of gun oil over all of the rifle's parts and reassemble your weapon.

Reassembly

• 11

  Depress the hand guard retention ring and reinstall the barrel shrouds.

• 12

  Place the extractor back on the bolt and press sufficiently to expose the extractor pin hole on the top of the bolt. Place the extractor pin back into position.

• 13

  Insert the firing pin into the other end of the bolt carrier and reinstall the firing pin retention pin. Place the charging handle back into the upper receiver, position the bolt carrier onto the charging handle and slide them both into the upper receiver.

• 14

  Place the buffer plug onto the buffer spring and slide the spring assembly into the stock. Connect the front end of the upper receiver with the lower receiver at the forward take-down pin. Slide the pin into position. Pivot the upper receiver onto the lower receiver and push the rear take-down pin back into position.

• 15

  Wipe off any excess gun oil from the exterior of your rifle.