How to Clean an AR15 Gun

Eugene Stoner's AR15 is a venerable rifle design that produced an excellent light infantry rifle, but it has one drawback: the gun fouls itself and can be very finicky. The design is prone to numerous stoppages if it is not kept clean. Thankfully, breaking down and cleaning the gun is a fairly simply procedure.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bore brush for a 5.56mm gun Pipe cleaners Swabs Extra brush Lubricating oil

Take Apart the Rifle

1. Take out the magazine, pull back the bolt to clear the chamber and set the safety to "fire."

2. Push the button mounted on the rear of the receiver cover to open it. Pull the receiver cover off.

3. Observe that the button pressed in Step 2 is the butt of a rod that goes into the rear of the bolt carriage. Push that rod forward until it is free of the receiver.

4. Pull the rod back, removing it and its spring from the carrier.

5. Turn the lever on the right rear sight up by 90 degrees. Then remove the gas tube by lifting it and getting it out of the barrel attachment it is resting in.

Clean the Rifle

6. Clean the chamber with the chamber brush.

7. Clean the bolt carrier with the 5.56mm bolt brush, and then dry the bolt assembly with a pipe cleaner. This should be completely free of dirt and grime.

8. Clean the barrel with the bore brush and a swab.

9. Take a different brush or swab and clean out the receiver.

10. Lubricate the bolt and receiver assembly.

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