How to Disassemble Guns

Guns come in many makes and models but disassembling them is simple.

Guns come in many types such as pistols, rifles and shotguns and each make and model is different. Regardless of the type of gun, proper cleaning and maintenance will require that the owner disassemble it occasionally. Disassembling a gun may seem complicated, but the trick to doing it properly is to use the proper tools and follow the proper disassemble sequence. Of course it's just as important to reassemble the gun after cleaning or maintenance, and following the disassemble sequence in reverse will get the gun back to working order.

Things You'll Need

• Clean white towel
• 12 or 18 egg carton (empty)
• Masking tape
• Gunsmith screwdriver set
• Small plastic or wooden mallet
• Black magic marker

Instructions

1. Place a clean, white towel on a table to serve as the disassembly area. Number each empty egg well in an empty egg carton with a magic marker, beginning the sequence with the number 1. Mark each egg well high enough so that when something is placed in the egg well, the number is visible.

2. Remove the external screws, using gunsmith screwdrivers, on the side plates, stock butt, stock and hand guards (hand guards are also called grips) of the gun. As you remove the screws place each one in a separate empty egg well, in sequence starting with the number 1.

3. Label any pieces too large to fit into an egg well with masking tape and mark the tape with the next number sequence. Place a piece of tape with the same number as the corresponding egg well in the sequence, and make sure the number on the gun piece matches the number on the piece of tape. Use an additional egg carton if needed.

4. Reassemble the gun by replacing each piece in reverse order starting with the last piece placed in an egg well. Continue reassemble until all the pieces in the eggs wells have been replaced.

Tips & Warnings

• Use gunsmithing screw drivers only. They are designed to fit gun screws without slipping.

• Gently tap tight-fitting or stuck pieces with a plastic or wooden mallet.

• A disassemble diagram is included in a new gun's instruction booklet, but older guns will require some research to find a disassemble diagram.

• Take notes during the first disassembly and refer to them when needed..

• Ensure that any gun you are working on is unloaded.

• Load and check a gun for proper functioning only at a shooting range or approved shooting area and never in the house.

References

• "Gunsmithing Made Easy"; Bryce M. Townsley; 2006
• "The Gun Digest Book of Tactical Weapons Assembly/Disassembly"; J.B. Wood; 2008
• "The Gun Digest Book of Exploded Gun Drawings; 975 Isometric Views"; Harold A. Murtz; 2005