How to Clean an M16A2
The M16A2 rifle, manufactured by Colt Manufacturing Co., was first used by the United States military in southeast Asia in the 1960s and became the iconic weapon of the Vietnam War. With the design largely unchanged, the M16A2 is still the primary infantry weapon for the U.S. Army, though in 2010 it is being phased out and replaced by the M4 carbine series -- a very similar weapon.
Cleaning an M16A2 is easy -- every infantryman can do it. The challenge comes in taking it apart and putting it back together.
Things You'll Need
- Swabs
- Pipe cleaners
- Cleaner lubricant preservative (CLP)
- Rifle bore cleaner
- M16A2 cleaning kit
- M16A2 disassembly mat
Instructions
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Clear the Weapon
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1
Magazines for the M16A2 come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Remove the magazine from the rifle if one is present. To remove the magazine, press the release button -- located behind the magazine on the right side of the rifle -- then pull down on the magazine.
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2
Locate the bolt catch button, on the left side of the rifle just above and forward of the trigger. Cock the rifle by pulling the charging handle all the way to the rear, then press inward on the bottom of the bolt catch button.
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3
Turn the selector lever to "Safe." Leave it set to "Semi" if the lever won't move to the "Safe" position.
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4
The M16A2 uses 5.56 mm ammunition. Inspect the chamber and the receiver to ensure there are no rounds in the weapon.
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5
Point the weapon in a safe direction -- away from people -- and press the top of the bolt catch button to release the charging handle. Leave the selector pointed to "Safe."
The weapon is now clear and safe, but treat it as if it is loaded.
Disassemble the Weapon
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6
Remove the sling if one is attached. Place the sling and all subsequent parts you remove onto the appropriate silhouette on the disassembly mat so you can easily find them later.
Remove the plastic handguards if you see dirt or corrosion when you look into the vent holes. Remove the handguards one at a time by pulling down on the slip ring, then outward on the handguard base.
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7
Locate the takedown pin on the left side of the rifle near the selector lever. Push the takedown pin as far as it will go and pivot the upper receiver away from the lower receiver. It will look like you are breaking open a shotgun.
Locate the receiver pivot pin on the left side of the weapon, in front of the magazine slot. Push the receiver pivot pin to release the upper receiver. Carefully separate the upper and lower receivers.
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8
Hold the upper receiver upside-down -- so the rifle's handle is pointing downward -- then pull the T-shaped charging handle back, which will allow you to remove the bolt carrier and bolt.
Turn the upper receiver right side-up and remove the charging handle by first lowering it into the receiver, then pulling it toward the rear.
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9
Remove the firing pin retaining pin -- a cotter key -- from the bolt carrier by pulling on the closed end. Tilt the front of the bolt carrier upward and let the firing pin fall out into your hand.
Slide the bolt assembly as far into the bolt carrier as you can, which will allow you to reach the bolt cam pin. Turn the cam pin one-quarter of a turn and lift it out. This frees the bolt assembly, which you can now pull from the carrier.
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10
Remove the extractor pin from the bolt assembly by pushing it out with the firing pin, being careful not to damage the firing pin. Lift the extractor out without separating it from the attached spring.
Remove the buffer and buffer spring from the lower receiver. Press the buffer far enough into the stock to allow you to reach the retainer. Depress the retainer so the buffer and spring can slide out over it.
Clean the Weapon
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11
Clean the barrel using the rifle bore cleaner and the CLP -- the cleaner, lubricant, preservative. Insert the bore cleaner into the barrel from the receiver end and use a twisting motion to remove carbon buildup. Clean the length of the barrel, through the flash suppressor, adding cleaning rod sections as needed.
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12
Using swabs, pipe cleaners, tools from the cleaning kit and CLP as needed, clean the upper and lower receiver groups. Be sure to remove all carbon buildup, dirt and corrosion. Leave a light film of CLP as a lubricant.
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13
Clean the bolt carrier group, being certain to clean carbon buildup and other dirt from all recesses. Use tools from the maintenance kit and pipe cleaners as needed.
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14
Make sure all interior parts are free of carbon, dirt and rust, wiping them with a light coating of CLP.
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15
Inspect the disassembled rifle bolt assembly. Make sure the firing pin is straight, that it is not cracked and that the tip is not blunt. Make sure the cam pin is not cracked or chipped.
Inspect the edge of the extractor that engages the rounds of ammunition to make sure the extractor is not worn. If it is worn down, replace it.
Reassemble the Rifle
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16
Insert the spring and buffer into the stock. Place the extractor and spring back into the bolt, and secure with the extractor pin.
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17
Slide the bolt into the carrier until the bolt cam pinholes are aligned in the bolt and in the bolt carrier. Reinsert the bolt cam pin and secure it by giving it a one-quarter turn.
Insert the firing pin back into the bolt, then secure it by replacing the retaining pin.
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18
With the upper receiver upside down -- the handle pointing downward -- replace the charging handle and push it partially in.
Replace the bolt carrier in the upper receiver, then push both the charging handle and bolt carrier forward.
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19
Reattach the upper and lower receiver, and replace the receiver pivot pin.
Push the upper and lower receiver groups back together and seat the takedown pin, making sure the selector switch still points to "Safe."
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20
Push the handguards back into place, securing them with the slip ring.
Replace the sling.
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1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Vietnam War Memorial image by dwight9592 from Fotolia.com sniper rifle image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com 3 5.56 - close side view image by Yanir Taflev from Fotolia.com
