AR Series Rifle Field Strip and Cleaning Tutorial

[Chris]

By no means a clinical disassembly but merely something to help new people with AR's and how I clean my personal rifles.

As always If there is something unclear PM me or post up.

if there are questions on complete disassembly let me know. I have 2 builds on the table right now and can do a step by step of a lower reciever as well as a complete upper build including delta ring, free float rail and barrel install as well as headspacing and bore sighting.

Im thinking of doing some other tech kinda article things like scope mounting and so-on any ideas let me know.

Step 1
Find a suitably dirty rifle to experiment with.
P.S Do this before you bring it to me in the store. There is nothing more annoying for a gunsmith than being handed a POOH dirty rifle to install parts on.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0590.jpg

AR rifles have several parts. Organize your work area and have a kit to hold needed tools and cleaning supplies readily available. Include alot of rags and Q-tips. As well as a quality powder solvent and Gun oil of your choice. I personally prefer Hoppes #9 solvent and clenzoil.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0591.jpg

Now we come to the fun part. Field Stripping. The AR platform is categorized into 2 major sub-assemblies. The upper and the lower reciever.
These 2 assemblies are easily disassembled by first pushing the Take down pin located on the rear of the lower reciever from the left to the right. A plastic punch is well suited for this job and will not mar the finish. Depending on the quality of your rifle this may be more difficult and may require the use of a small hammer. Light pressure should be all that is needed. If major force is required, TAKE IT TO A GUNSMITH. The pin is held in place by a spring and detent and will not fully remove itself from the lower. if it does you have a problem
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0592.jpg

[Chris]

Next, Located at the front of the reciever you will repeat the last step on the Pivot pin.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0593.jpg


Once these 2 pins have been released your gun should easily seperate into the 2 major componants.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0594.jpg
Next I remove the buffer and buffer spring by depressing the buffer retainer with a small punch or screwdriver. The buffer is under tension so be cautious once the retainer is depressed to aviod damaging yourself or your gun.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0595.jpg

[Chris]

Solvent Time
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0598.jpg

Under normal cicumstances I do not remove the trigger group and clean the entire lower with Q-tips, buy in bulk....lol.
Every 5 cleanings I do completely strip the gun but this may or may not be a good practice dependant on your skill level.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0601.jpg
Once carbon and powder residue is removed from the lower lightly oil and set aside.




Field stripping of the upper assembly is also relatively easy.
First Remove the bolt and charging handle by pulling the bolt out of the upper towards the rear. The charging handle will automatically follow the bolt.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0602.jpg

[Chris]

The bolt will fall free first then remove the charching handle. To remove the charging handle after the bolt is free move the handle approximately 1/4 forward from its rear most position and the handle will drop out of of the channel through the dog ears machined into the upper and the can be pulled directly to the rear.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0603.jpg

Next remove the firing pin retaining pin. I prefer dental pics for this but a small screwdriver will suffice.


http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0605.jpg
After this pin is removed the firing pin will drop freely to the rear of the bolt. Unless you have a severly dirty rifle. Then lightly tapping the bolt carrier as a whole agaisnt something will usually drop the pin

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0607.jpg

[Chris]

Next, After making sure the bolt is pressed to the rear turn the bolt cam pin 1/4 turn and remove by lifting out of the bolt carrier.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0609.jpg

Then pull the bolt free from the bolt carrier.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0610.jpg

I personally dont suggest a novice strip any further than this as the extractor and springs may be lost.
Clean the bolt carrier inside and out and lightly oil once carbon and fouling is removed. Set aside.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0611.jpg

Next Clean the bolt and bolt face. Be mindful on all radiused surfaces carbon build-up is severe. A pocket knife is usually required to scrape the rear of the bolt clean.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0613.jpg

[Chris]

With Rags and Q-tips clean the bolt carrier channel until all deposits are removed.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0614.jpg

Inspect for channel gouging and overall appearance. Also a good time to check the function of the forward assist if your gun is so equipped.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0616.jpg

Next using a Bore snake or A cleaning rod with a bore brush lightly coated with solvent clean the bore. It is usually easier to pull a brush than to push. pull from the reciever and be mindful not to allow anything to clatter around in the bore and any metal to metal contact on the crown of the barrel. accuracy issues may result from improper care of a barrel.

Then using A stiff tooth brush clean the chamber until it is free of buildup. They also make specialty brushes for this application but the 99 cent toothbrush has always worked well for me.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0617.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0618.jpg

[Chris]

After the bore is cleaned and inspected run a small patch to remove solvent and another lightly coated patch with oil to lightly line the bore.


At this point the gun should be relatively clean and is ready for reassembly.
First install the charging handle by inserting into the channel until the dog ears allow the handle to fall in the channel. Leave the handle rearward
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0621.jpg

Reassemble the bolt carrier in the reverse order above.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0622.jpg


Inspect the bolt carrier key and gas tube in the reciever one last time before bolt install and use a pipe cleaner to ensure the gas operating system is dry and free of debri.

Then reinstall bolt carrier
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0624.jpg

At this step a common problem occurs. If the bolt is not pulled into its forward position in the carrier, The bolt and the chamber will not mate properly and wont allow the carrier to fully insert into the reciever. If your gun looks like the above picture remove the bolt carrier and ensure the actual bolt has been pulled to its full forward positioan and reinstall.
At this point the bolt carrier should be flush with the rear of the reciever housing.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0625.jpg

[Chris]

Reassemble the 2 major sub-assemblies



Now that the sub assemblies have been reassembled mate the upper and the lower back together with the pivot and takedown pins.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0626.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0627.jpg
After visual and physical inspection function check the rifle.
all movement should be fluid and free. AR's DO NOT LIKE to be dry so at this point I usually use an aerosol oil and re coat the bolt carrier during function cycling.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/chrisbean109/IMG_0629.jpg

and there you have it.
This is by no means the grail just a primer for those who need the information. By no means a clinical disassembly but merely something to help new people with AR's and how I clean my personal rifles.

As always If there is something unclear PM me or post up.

if there are questions on complete disassembly let me know. I have 2 builds on the table right now and can do a step by step of a lower reciever as well as a complete upper build including delta ring, free float rail and barrel install as well as headspacing and bore sighting.

Im thinking of doing some other tech kinda article things like scope mounting and so-on any ideas let me know.

[Cris]

Nice cleaning tutorial. Very informative for us new to the game.

[Satan_3pc]

I came up with my own method last night for my first gun cleaning. I disassembled the whole upper and sprayed all the parts down with breakfree CLP, making sure to at this step get it in all the cracks. Then I put them all in a plastic zip lock bag and sprayed them more until there was a collection of breakfree at the bottom. Then I just tipped the bag up and let them soak for about an hour while I scrubbed the chamber out and cleaned the bore.

It worked really good. After that I just had to basicly wipe them off and brush the cracks out a little bit. The firing pin was shining just from soaking.

[Chris]

Come talk to me after you put a few thousand through it....lol
it gets worse....lol

[Satan_3pc]

Hmm, good point. I'll let you know. I read one guy online saying he mixes a CLP and odorless mineral spirits and soaks them over night in a tub with a dipping basket.

[Chris]

as you progress if your dead set against scrubbing you might want to look into an ultra-sonic cleaner, we have one at the store.....it rocks

[Bicho]

good job!

[lino]

good work... I used your instructions today :)

[Cris]

I picked up an ultrasonic cleaner the other day. For cleaning the bolt alone will make cleaning AR's easier.

[raven_hammer]

One major tip you forgot! Make sure the gas rings on the bolt are all offset or you will have a leak. That's bad and a major pain in the ass, you will not get a kick or you will have a malfunction. I usually set ring 1 at 6 o'clock, ring 2 at 12 o'clock, and ring 3 at 8 o'clock

[raven_hammer]

I let it soak in diesel fuel.

[Cris]

Thanks Raven, I'll make sure to check that.

[raven_hammer]

Nothing sucks than being on the range seeing targets go up and down as you try and clear repeated malfunctions