How to Clean AR-15: A Comprehensive Guide

Cleaning your AR-15 is an essential task to ensure its reliability and longevity. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a beginner, maintaining your firearm is crucial. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of cleaning your AR-15, step by step.

Materials Needed

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

• Gun cleaning kit
• Clean cloth or paper towels
• Gun oil or lubricant
• Compressed air
• AR-15 cleaning rod
• AR-15 chamber brush
• AR-15 bolt carrier
• AR-15 bolt
• AR-15 receiver

Step 1: Safety First

Always ensure your firearm is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction before beginning the cleaning process. Remove the magazine and the chamber flag to confirm the weapon is clear.

Step 2: Field Strip Your AR-15

Field stripping your AR-15 is the process of removing the upper and lower receivers. Here’s how to do it:

1. Remove the magazine and chamber flag.
2. Lock the bolt to the rear position.
3. Push the bolt release lever on the left side of the lower receiver.
4. Grasp the bolt carrier and pull it out of the lower receiver.
5. Remove the upper receiver from the lower receiver by pulling it forward and then upward.

Step 3: Clean the Bolt Carrier Group

Start by cleaning the bolt carrier group (BCG) with a cleaning rod and chamber brush. Here’s the process:

1. Insert the chamber brush into the cleaning rod.
2. Push the brush into the chamber and rotate it to remove any fouling.
3. Use a clean cloth to wipe down the BCG, removing any remaining fouling.
4. Apply a small amount of gun oil to the BCG, focusing on the firing pin and extractor.

Step 4: Clean the Upper Receiver

Now, it’s time to clean the upper receiver. Follow these steps:

1. Use a clean cloth to wipe down the upper receiver, removing any fouling.
2. Apply a small amount of gun oil to the bolt cam pin, bolt cam pin retainer, and bolt cam pin.
3. Use a cleaning rod and chamber brush to clean the barrel and chamber.
4. Apply a small amount of gun oil to the barrel and chamber.

Step 5: Clean the Lower Receiver

Next, clean the lower receiver. Here’s how to do it:

1. Use a clean cloth to wipe down the lower receiver, removing any fouling.
2. Apply a small amount of gun oil to the trigger assembly, hammer, and sear.
3. Use a cleaning rod and chamber brush to clean the magazine well and bolt catch.
4. Apply a small amount of gun oil to the magazine well and bolt catch.

Step 6: Reassemble Your AR-15

Now that your firearm is clean, it’s time to reassemble it. Follow these steps:

1. Insert the bolt carrier group into the lower receiver and lock it into place.
2. Insert the upper receiver into the lower receiver and secure it with the takedown lever and pin.
3. Insert the magazine and chamber flag.

Step 7: Final Inspection

Before you take your AR-15 out for a shoot, perform a final inspection to ensure everything is in working order. Check for any loose parts, and make sure the firearm is functioning correctly.

Step 8: Regular Maintenance

Cleaning your AR-15 is an ongoing process. Regular maintenance will keep your firearm in top condition. Aim to clean your AR-15 after every few hundred rounds or as needed.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to keep your AR