Basic AR-15 Skills

These pages will show you how to perform basic handling skills of the AR-15 type rifles.  These are the step by step procedures taught to U.S. Soldiers, there are photos to help you follow along.

Clear Unload the rifle and make it 'safe'.

Field Strip Disassemble the rifle into its basic components for cleaning and/or inspection.  Soldiers are required to be able to do this in under 2 minutes - most do it in 30 seconds.

Clean How to clean the rifle to keep it operational.

Inspect What parts you should inspect at every cleaning to insure safe & reliable operation; what problems to look for and how to correct them.

Lubricate How to properly lubricate your rifle so its protected and military reliable.

ReAssemble How to put your rifle back together.  Again soldiers are required to do it in 2 mintues, with 30-40 seconds being the norm.

Cleaning Magazines (USGI 30's) Procedure to take apart, clean, and reassemble 30 round magazines.

Function Check How to test your rifle's moving parts after reassembly to insure you put it back together properly.