How to Clean an AR-15: Best Practices and Maintenance Tips

Knowing how to clean an AR-15 will help keep your custom AR-15 running rounds smoothly at the range or in the field. Basic AR-15 maintenance cleans and protects your gun while giving you the hands-on opportunity to spot signs of wear or potential upgrade opportunities. Proper upkeep is a basic part of responsible firearm ownership, and it keeps your gun ready to go when you need to make every shot count.

The World’s Most Popular Firearm Platform

You wouldn’t know it by reading the fearmongering press often surrounding this American legend, but the AR-15 is the most produced and owned firearm type in the world. Engineered by Armalite as a smaller-caliber version of the AR-10, the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle not only made waves in the civilian market but also led to an evolved military version, the M-16 and its derivatives, that has served as the primary combat rifle for generations of American servicemen.

You don’t get that kind of track record without changing the game.

Knowing Your Weapon

The AR-15 is a versatile firearm that uses a split-receiver design that allows for easy customization and upgrading. Knowing how to clean your AR-15 gives you a more intimate knowledge of your weapon and its mechanics. Increased familiarity leads to more efficient usage and makes it easier for you to identify what components serve your shooting needs and which ones can be upgraded to improve your weapon handling.

Because it was engineered for utility and flexibility in real-world use, field-stripping your gun is relatively straightforward. After a handful of times, it will become a routine part of being an AR-15 owner, and the cleaning process often becomes a rewarding end to a good day of shooting. 

Gather Your Tools and Materials

You can get the basics down of how to clean your AR-15 with a few simple tools and a standard gun cleaning kit. If you have the extra money and want to upgrade your cleaning experience, you can buy a gun cleaning vice, specialty brushes, bore snakes, and all manner of other doo-dads, but here are the must-haves:

• Cleaner/Lube/Protectant (CLP)
• A Clean, Stable Workspace
• Small Allen Wrench or Punch
• Cleaning Rod, Bore Brush, Patches
• A Lint-Free Gun Cloth or Rag
• Wire Brush
• Cotton Swab

How to Clean Your Custom AR-15

Before you begin any AR-15 maintenance or customization, put safety first. Remove the magazine, open the chamber, and ensure that the chamber is clear visually and physically. Remove all ammunition from the work area to a seperate or secure location. Don’t give the accident gremlins ANY chance at turning you or a loved one into a statistic.

Once you’ve secured the ammo, check it again. Once there’s no possible way it could be loaded, it’s time to get started.

1. Remove the Take-Down Pins

The upper and lower receiver are secured by two takedown pins. Push the rear takedown pit out, and the upper receiver will pivot forward. While some gun owners choose to clean their weapon in this configuration, particularly with a gun rest or vice that supports this opened position, it’s far easier to separate the two halves of the receiver and clean them separately. Pushing the front take-down pin out will free the upper receiver. The lower receiver can be set aside for the moment.

2. Slide Out the Bolt Carrier Group and Charging Handle 

Pull the charging handle and bolt carrier group (BCG) rearward, and they should slide free easily. Give the handle a quick wipe with your rag and a little CLP, then set it aside. Spray some CLP into the chamber and bore of your upper receiver so it can start loosening material while you continue the disassembly.

3. Disassemble the BCG

The BCG has several small parts that can become easily fouled, so it needs disassembly and thorough attention. That’s how you clean the AR-15 properly without letting hidden crud lead to weapon failure. Start by using your Allen Wrench or punch to remove the firing pin retaining pin. The firing pin can now slide freely from the rear of the BCG.

Next, you need to remove the bolt cam pin. Just turn it 90 degrees and pull it free to release the bolt head from the front of the BCG. There’s a small pivot pin on the bolt that holds the extractor in place. Use the Allen wrench to push out this pin and separate the extractor. These separate parts can be sprayed with CLP, or if you have a separate solvent and a small bowl, they can be soaked to loosen material.

4. Remove Buffer and Buffer Spring

Return to your lower receiver and depress the buffer in its tube. Use your punch to depress the buffer retainer and ease the buffer and spring from the tube. Do not just release the buffer or spring unless you’re ready for a rousing game of “Where did that thing fly off to?” These can be set aside.

5. Clean the Chamber and Barrel

Use a brush to clean the barrel lugs of your upper receiver. Spray CLP through the barrel, then push a bore brush through from breech to muzzle in a single smooth motion. Remove the brush from the end of the cleaning rod before pulling the rod back through and then repeating the process. The brush always moves in one direction–the way the pullet travels–to avoid dragging particulate into the chamber.

Next, spray a patch liberally and push it through the barrel, repeating the process until the patch comes out clean. Use patches to wipe out the chamber, getting nooks and crannies of your custom AR-15 upper with cotton swabs, if necessary, until all the residue and detritus are removed. 

6. Clean the BCG

Use your wire brush to gently scrub away particulate matter from each component of the BCG. A cotton swab can be used to clean the inside of the gas key to ensure it’s not clogged or occluded. Once they’re clean, use your rag to wipe each down, visually inspecting them for signs of damage. Any damage spotted during AR-15 maintenance can be repaired at the time if you have parts on hand, or you can continue the cleaning while your replacement AR-15 parts are on order.

7. Inspect the Lower Receiver

The design of the AR-15 means there’s not much to cleaning your AR-15 lower, as most of the corrosive elements are contained in the upper receiver. You should still inspect the hammer, sear, safety, and trigger group for signs of wear, damage, or fouling. External dirt and grime can be easily wiped away with a rag. At this point, you can also wipe down the buffer spring and buffer, then reinstall them into the buffer tube.

8. Lubricate and Reassemble

Apply a small amount of gun oil to any connection point between components, pivot point, or moving structure in your upper or lower receiver. Reassemble your BCG, ensuring the gaps in the gas rings on the rear of your bolt are spaced at least 60 degrees apart. The extractor should be positioned at 11 o’clock, just before the gas key on the BCG. Once assembled, the BCG and charge handle should drop right back into the rear of the upper receiver, and the upper receiver can be reinstalled on the lower receiver with the take-down pins locking it in place.

9. Cycle Your Action

Cycle the action a few times slowly, working in the oil and allowing the pieces to settle into place functionally. Charge, press the forward assist, pull the trigger, and actuate the safety. Ensure complete functionality, and then give the whole weapon a final wipe-down.

Order Your AR-15 Parts Online

We have the AR-15 parts and accessories you need for repair, replacement, or upgrades. Get your custom AR-15 ready to rock and roll. Order your gun parts from JSD Supply today.