How to Disassemble an AR-15 for Cleaning and Maintenance

ByBuffalo Rifles Blog

The AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle that is popular for its versatility and reliability. It is also relatively easy to disassemble, which can be a valuable skill for gun owners who need to clean or maintain their rifles. In this article, we will walk you through the process of disassembling an AR-15 in detail. We will provide step-by-step instructions, along with photos and illustrations to help you along the way. By the end of this article, you will be able to disassemble and reassemble your AR-15 with ease.

So, if you’re ready to learn how to disassemble an AR-15, keep reading!

How To Disassemble Ar 15?

| Step | Description | Tools |
|—|—|—|
| 1 | Remove the magazine. | Magazine release |
| 2 | Lock the bolt back. | Bolt catch |
| 3 | Remove the charging handle. | Charging handle |
| 4 | Rotate the rear takedown pin 90 degrees and remove it. | Takedown pin |
| 5 | Push the forward takedown pin out. | Forward takedown pin |
| 6 | Separate the upper and lower receivers. | |
| 7 | Remove the bolt carrier group. | |
| 8 | Remove the barrel. | |

Safety Precautions

When disassembling an AR-15, it is important to take the necessary safety precautions to avoid injury. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Always treat the rifle as if it is loaded. Even if you are sure that the rifle is unloaded, it is always best to double-check before handling it.
  • Never point the rifle at anything you do not intend to shoot. This includes yourself, other people, and animals.
  • Keep the safety on until you are ready to fire. The safety should be on whenever the rifle is not in use.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure that there are no obstructions in the path of the bullet before you fire.
  • Wear eye and ear protection. Eye protection is essential to protect your eyes from debris, and ear protection is important to protect your hearing from the loud noise of the rifle.

Disassembling the Upper Receiver

To disassemble the upper receiver of an AR-15, you will need the following tools:

  • A Torx T-25 screwdriver
  • A punch
  • A hammer

1. Remove the bolt carrier group. To do this, first remove the charging handle by pulling it back and then pushing down on the release lever. Once the charging handle is removed, you can then remove the bolt carrier group by pulling it back and then lifting it up and out of the receiver.
2. Remove the forward assist. The forward assist is a small lever located on the right side of the receiver. To remove it, use a punch to push out the roll pin that holds it in place.
3. Remove the dust cover. The dust cover is a small hinged cover located on the top of the receiver. To remove it, simply push down on the release lever and then lift the cover up and off of the receiver.
4. Remove the barrel nut. The barrel nut is a large nut that holds the barrel in place. To remove it, you will need to use a barrel nut wrench. Once the barrel nut is removed, you can then slide the barrel out of the receiver.
5. Remove the gas block. The gas block is a small block located on the front of the barrel. To remove it, you will need to use a gas block wrench. Once the gas block is removed, you can then remove the gas tube.
6. Remove the handguard. The handguard is a long, cylindrical tube that covers the barrel. To remove it, you will need to loosen the screws that hold it in place. Once the screws are loosened, you can then slide the handguard off of the barrel.

Once the upper receiver is disassembled, you can clean and inspect it. You can then reassemble the upper receiver by following the steps above in reverse order.

Disassembling an AR-15 is a relatively simple process, but it is important to take the necessary safety precautions to avoid injury. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can safely disassemble and reassemble your AR-15.

Disassembling the Upper Receiver

To disassemble the upper receiver of an AR-15, you will need the following tools:

  • AR-15 armorer’s wrench
  • AR-15 front sight tool
  • AR-15 takedown pin tool
  • AR-15 bolt catch pin tool
  • AR-15 magazine release button tool

1. Lock the bolt back. To do this, pull back on the charging handle until the bolt is fully extended. Then, use the bolt catch to hold the bolt back.
2. Remove the rear takedown pin. The rear takedown pin is located at the back of the receiver, just below the rear sight. Insert the takedown pin tool into the hole in the receiver and push down on the pin. The pin will pop out and the upper receiver will separate from the lower receiver.
3. Remove the forward assist. The forward assist is a small lever located on the right side of the receiver, just above the ejection port. To remove the forward assist, use the front sight tool to depress the roll pin that holds it in place. The roll pin will pop out and the forward assist can be removed.
4. Remove the barrel. The barrel is held in place by the barrel nut. To remove the barrel nut, you will need to use a torque wrench and a crowsfoot wrench. First, loosen the barrel nut until it is just loose enough to turn by hand. Then, use the crowsfoot wrench to turn the barrel nut counterclockwise until it is completely removed.
5. Remove the gas block. The gas block is a small block of metal that is located at the front of the barrel. It is held in place by two set screws. To remove the gas block, use a small flathead screwdriver to loosen the set screws. Once the set screws are loose, the gas block can be removed.
6. Remove the handguard. The handguard is held in place by two screws. To remove the handguard, use a small Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the screws. Once the screws are loose, the handguard can be removed.

Disassembling the Lower Receiver

To disassemble the lower receiver of an AR-15, you will need the following tools:

  • AR-15 armorer’s wrench
  • AR-15 takedown pin tool
  • AR-15 bolt catch pin tool
  • AR-15 magazine release button tool

1. Lock the bolt back. To do this, pull back on the charging handle until the bolt is fully extended. Then, use the bolt catch to hold the bolt back.
2. Remove the magazine. To do this, press the magazine release button and pull the magazine out of the receiver.
3. Remove the takedown pins. The takedown pins are located at the front and rear of the receiver. Insert the takedown pin tool into the hole in the receiver and push down on the pin. The pin will pop out and the upper receiver will separate from the lower receiver.
4. Remove the bolt carrier group. The bolt carrier group is a large assembly that includes the bolt, bolt carrier, and firing pin. To remove the bolt carrier group, grasp the charging handle and pull it all the way to the rear. Then, rotate the handle down and pull it out of the receiver. The bolt carrier group will come out with it.
5. Remove the trigger assembly. The trigger assembly is a small assembly that includes the trigger, hammer, and disconnector. To remove the trigger assembly, depress the trigger and pull the trigger pin out of the receiver. The trigger assembly will come out with it.
6. Remove the magazine catch. The magazine catch is a small lever that is located on the left side of the receiver. To remove the magazine catch, depress the magazine catch release button and pull the magazine catch out of the receiver.

Reassembling the AR-15

To reassemble the AR-15, you will need to reverse the steps you took to disassemble it. Here are the steps in more detail:

1. Reassemble the lower receiver.
1. Insert the trigger assembly into the receiver.
2. Insert the trigger pin and secure it with the trigger pin tool.
3. Insert the magazine catch into the receiver.
4. Insert the magazine catch release button and secure it with the magazine release button tool.
2. Reassemble the upper receiver.
1. Insert the bolt carrier group into the receiver.
2. Insert the takedown pins and secure them with the takedown pin tool.
3. Insert the barrel into the receiver.
4. Secure the barrel with the barrel nut and

How do I disassemble an AR-15?

1. Ensure the rifle is unloaded. Check the chamber and magazine to make sure there is no ammunition present.
2. Flip the safety selector to the “safe” position.
3. Remove the magazine. Press the magazine release button located on the left side of the receiver, and pull the magazine out of the rifle.
4. Lock the bolt back. Depress the bolt catch on the right side of the receiver, and pull the charging handle to the rear until the bolt is locked back.
5. Remove the bolt carrier group (BCG). Grasp the charging handle with your right hand and pull it to the rear while simultaneously pushing down on the rear of the BCG with your left hand. The BCG will come out of the receiver.
6. Remove the handguard. There are two types of handguards on AR-15s: A2-style handguards and free-floating handguards.

  • To remove an A2-style handguard, you will need to use a 5/32-inch Allen wrench to loosen the two screws that secure the handguard to the barrel nut. Once the screws are loose, you can slide the handguard off of the barrel nut.
  • To remove a free-floating handguard, you will need to use a 3/16-inch Allen wrench to loosen the two screws that secure the handguard to the receiver. Once the screws are loose, you can slide the handguard off of the receiver.

7. Remove the barrel. To remove the barrel, you will need to use a barrel wrench to loosen the barrel nut. Once the barrel nut is loose, you can slide the barrel off of the receiver.

What are the safety precautions I should take when disassembling an AR-15?

  • Always treat the rifle as if it is loaded, even if you know it is not. This means keeping your finger off the trigger and the safety selector in the “safe” position until you are ready to fire.
  • Never point the rifle at anything you do not intend to shoot. This includes yourself, other people, and animals.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and what is behind your target. Make sure there is nothing that could be injured or damaged by the bullet if it misses your target.
  • Wear eye protection and hearing protection when disassembling the rifle. This will protect you from any debris that may be released during the disassembly process and from the noise of the firing pin striking the primer.

What are some common mistakes people make when disassembling an AR-15?

  • Not checking to make sure the rifle is unloaded. This is the most common mistake people make when disassembling an AR-15, and it can result in a serious injury or death. Always check the chamber and magazine to make sure there is no ammunition present before you start disassembling the rifle.
  • Not following the correct steps. The steps for disassembling an AR-15 are specific, and it is important to follow them in the correct order. If you do not follow the correct steps, you could damage the rifle or injure yourself.
  • Using the wrong tools. Some of the parts on an AR-15 are small and delicate, and it is important to use the right tools to avoid damaging them. For example, you should use a 5/32-inch Allen wrench to loosen the screws that secure the A2-style handguard to the barrel nut, and you should use a 3/16-inch Allen wrench to loosen the screws that secure the free-floating handguard to the receiver.

What are some tips for disassembling an AR-15 quickly and easily?

  • Be organized. Have all of the tools and parts you need laid out in front of you before you start disassembling the rifle. This will help you stay organized and avoid making mistakes.
  • Take your time. Disassembling an AR-15 can be a bit tricky, so don’t rush through the process. Take your time and make sure you are following the correct steps.
  • Don’t force anything. If something is stuck, don’t force it. You could damage the rifle or injure yourself. Instead, try a different approach or use a different tool.

What are some resources I can use to learn more about disassembling an AR-15?

  • There are a number of online resources available that can teach you how to disassemble an AR-15. Some of

    disassembling an AR-15 is a relatively simple process, but it is important to follow the proper steps to ensure that the rifle is safe and that you do not damage any of the components. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can safely disassemble your AR-15 for cleaning, maintenance, or storage.

Here are some key takeaways from this guide:

  • Always wear eye protection when disassembling your AR-15.
  • Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times.
  • Follow the steps in the reverse order to reassemble your AR-15.
  • If you are unsure about how to disassemble your AR-15, consult the owner’s manual or a qualified gunsmith.

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