How to Clean Your AR-15: A Comprehensive Guide

Cleaning your AR-15 is an essential task for maintaining its performance and longevity. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a beginner, understanding the proper cleaning process can make a significant difference. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to clean your AR-15 thoroughly and effectively.

Materials Needed

Before you start cleaning your AR-15, gather the following materials:

• Gun cleaning kit (including a cleaning rod, patches, and solvent)
• Gun oil or lubricant
• Compressed air or a blow gun
• AR-15 cleaning solvent
• AR-15 lubricant
• AR-15 chamber brush
• AR-15 bolt carrier
• AR-15 bolt
• AR-15 receiver
• AR-15 magazine

Step 1: Unload Your AR-15

Always ensure your AR-15 is unloaded before cleaning. Remove the magazine and check the chamber to confirm there are no rounds present. Point the firearm in a safe direction and engage the safety to prevent any accidental discharges.

Step 2: Field Strip Your AR-15

Field stripping your AR-15 is the process of disassembling the firearm into its basic components. Follow these steps to field strip your AR-15:

1. Remove the magazine and ensure the chamber is clear.
2. Lower the bolt carrier group (BCG) by pulling the charging handle to the rear and locking it back.
3. Remove the bolt by pulling it out of the BCG.
4. Remove the BCG from the upper receiver by pulling it forward and down.
5. Remove the lower receiver from the upper receiver by pulling it forward and down.

Step 3: Clean the Bolt Carrier Group

Use your cleaning rod and patches to clean the bolt carrier group. Here’s how to do it:

1. Apply solvent to a patch and run it through the bolt carrier group to loosen any fouling.
2. Use a chamber brush to scrub the inside of the bolt carrier group.
3. Wipe the bolt carrier group with a clean patch to remove any remaining solvent and fouling.
4. Apply a thin layer of lubricant to the bolt carrier group, focusing on the areas where metal touches metal.

Step 4: Clean the Bolt

Use a cleaning rod and patches to clean the bolt. Here’s how to do it:

1. Apply solvent to a patch and run it through the bolt to loosen any fouling.
2. Use a chamber brush to scrub the inside of the bolt.
3. Wipe the bolt with a clean patch to remove any remaining solvent and fouling.
4. Apply a thin layer of lubricant to the bolt, focusing on the areas where metal touches metal.

Step 5: Clean the Upper Receiver

Use a cleaning rod and patches to clean the upper receiver. Here’s how to do it:

1. Apply solvent to a patch and run it through the upper receiver to loosen any fouling.
2. Use a chamber brush to scrub the inside of the upper receiver.
3. Wipe the upper receiver with a clean patch to remove any remaining solvent and fouling.
4. Apply a thin layer of lubricant to the upper receiver, focusing on the areas where metal touches metal.

Step 6: Clean the Lower Receiver

Use a cleaning rod and patches to clean the lower receiver. Here’s how to do it:

1. Apply solvent to a patch and run it through the lower receiver to loosen any fouling.
2. Use a chamber brush to scrub the inside of the lower receiver.
3. Wipe the lower receiver with a clean patch to remove any remaining solvent and fouling.
4. Apply a thin layer of lubricant to the lower receiver, focusing on the areas where metal touches metal.