Inspecting an AR-15

1) Clean the rifle.

2) Check for corrosion on all parts.

3) Inspect the following areas:

Rear Sight - rear sight spring should retain the rear sight assembly, in either postition (unmarked or 0-2) with firmness.

Barrel - check for looseness on upper receiver.  (if it is preban check to see that the flash supressor isn't loose).

Lower Receiver - check for cracks on the bridge between the hammer and the bolt catch.

Stock - check for cracks.  Replace if cracked near the receiver (front end of the stock); however you can safely have up to 3 cracks per siderunning from the buttplate.  Check for forward to rear movement of the stock.  If loose first try tightening the upper buttplate screw.  If still not tight you will have to remove the buttstock and tighten the receiver extension.

Buffer & Buffer spring - Buffer should be free of cracks - replace if cracked.  Buffer Spring should be free of kinks, and checked for free length.  For the full size stocks (A1 or A2) the length of the sprinng should be between 11 3/4" to 13 1/2" (29.85cm to 34.29cm).  For the collapsible stocks (or the RRA tac stocks) the spring length should be between 10 1/16" to 11 1/4" (25.56cm to 28.58cm).  If there are kinks or its not to the proper length - DO NOT TRY TO REPAIR - discard and get a new spring.

Bolt Carrier - Check the carrier key and screws for dammage and looseness.  If damaged then replace, if carrier key screws are loose then tighten to 35-40 inch pounds and stake in place.

Bolt - Check for cracks or fractures, particularly in the cam pin hole or the locking lugs.  Bolt that contain pits extending into the firing pin hole, or if the hole is elongated need replacing. Look for chips or clusters of pits on the bolt face. 

Firing Pin Retaining Pin - replace if bent or badly worn.

Firing Pin - replace if bent, cracked, blunted, or if it has a sharp end. 

Cam Pin - check to see if its cracked or chipped (or missing).

Extractor & Extractor Spring - check extractor for chip or broken edges in the area of the lip that engages the cartridge rim. Verify the rubber insert is inside the extractor spring. 

Lubricating an AR-15

Lightly Lubed: A film of CLP barely visible to the eye.

Generously Lubed: Heavy enough film so it can be spread with a finger.

1) Inspect the parts

2) Put a light coat of CLP on the interior & exterior of the bolt carrier.

3) Put a generous coat on the barrel. 

4) Lighly lube the interior of the upper receiver.  Be sure to lube the locking lugs.

5) Lightly lubricate the front sight.  Depress the front sight detent, then put 2 -3 drops of CLP on the f ront sight detent.  Depress detent several times to work CLP into the action.

6) Put 1 or 2 drops of CLP on the flat spring under the rear sight apertures. 

7) Lubricate the rear sight at the points shown in this picture, put a drop or two then rotate the parts to evenly spread the lubricant (remember to return knobs to orginal position).

To lubricate the elevation screw shaft you will need to turn the upper receiver upside down, be sure the charging handle is removed, put 2 or 3 drops on the elevation screw shaft and in the elevation detent spring hole, and finally roatate the elevation wheel a few times to help spread the lubricant.

8) Lighlty lubricate the inside of the receiver extension. buffer, and buffer spring.

9) Generously lubricate the fire control parts (moving parts), takedown and pivot pins and detents.

10) Lightly lube the charging handle.

11) Generously lube the slide rails on the bolt carrier, and the cam pin hole.

12) Put one drop of CLP in the gas key.

13) Put a generous coat on the exterior of the bolt, particulary the rings and the cam pin area.  Interior of the bolt (firing pin recess) should have a light coat only. 

14) Put a generous coat of CLP on the firing pin retaining pin and the cam pin.

15) Firing pin should be dry of have a light coat of CLP.