How to clean and maintain AR-Platform Rifles – Helpful Videos

Scottsdale Gun Club will be hosting an AR-15 Cleaning clinic on August 25, 2022. AR-platform rifles can be maintenance-intensive beasts. They require regular cleaning, inspection, and lubrication. Some AR owners make things worse by not cleaning small parts regularly or by using too much oily/greasy grease in the wrong places. A properly maintained AR15 that is lubricated can shoot hundreds of shots (between cleanings) with no problem. You’ll be able to run your AR more reliably if you know where to apply lubricant (and where not to). The task of cleaning the upper receiver, bolt carrier and internals of the upper receiver will also be easier. Here are videos that demonstrate how to field-strip a AR-15, inspect key parts, clean components and lubricate the internal parts if necessary. We recommend that you read the Brownells comprehensive AR-15 Gun Cleaning Clinic along with these videos. This article explains important procedures in detail that the videos may only cover in a matter of seconds. If you want your black rifle to run smoothly and reliably you must clean it and follow the correct procedures. Here are five videos explaining how to disassemble and properly clean AR-platform guns. 1. Cleaning and Maintenance Tips This is a quick 90-second starter video that may help new AR owners. Ricky Lehnhardt from OTIS Technology demonstrates how to clean and maintain your AR-15. Lehnhardt is good at identifying the areas that need to be cleaned on the AR’s inside. In the video, he is working very quickly. You may want pause the video. Lehnhardt uses a cable to pull patches and brushes into the barrel. This is quick and easy. For match AR rifles we recommend using a cleaning ROD fitted with a bore guide. 2. Take-Down & Full Cleaning of AR-15 By Jerry Miculek Here, ace shooter Jerry Miculek disassembles and cleans a AR-platform rifle that belonged to his daughter Lena. This video is good because Lena’s rifle was “run hard and packed dirty” so you can see the carbon and grease buildup. This 35-minute video covers a lot of ground. Jerry is a top action carbine shot in the country, so pay attention to his advice about cleaning and lubricating. 3. Cory Trapp, Gunsite Academy instructor, demonstrates how to properly field-stripe, clean and lubricate a AR-15 carbine. Trapp provides several technical tips and hints in this 30-minute video. Trap, for example, demonstrates at 11:05 how to determine whether your bolt requires new gas rings. This video also explains how you can inspect your AR’s key components and function-test it before each shooting session. 4. AR-15 Disassembly & Cleaning Guide This video shows you how to remove the carrier bolt and clean the upper receiver. It is well done, with good close-ups. You can then see how to use different tools to clean the chamber, bolt carrier and bolt. We recommend that you also inspect the ejector and extractor recesses. We have found nasty gunk in these areas when we’ve examined ARs that didn’t cycle properly. 5. In this NSSF sponsored video, professional shooter Ryan Muller demonstrates quick and easy field maintenance for his AR-15. This would be a quick cleaning of the reciprocating components and lubrication. This video covers quick maintenance in the field. Watch the previous videos for a thorough cleaning and complete field-stripping. Handy Mat for Cleaning AR Rifles If you’re working on an AR-15 it’s a good idea to have a pad which can absorb solvents as well as cushion your upper and lower receiver. Real Avid Smart Mat, $24.99 is a good option. The mat has printed instructions for taking it apart and a handy parts holder on the right. The mat can be rolled up for easy storage. Click HERE to find out more. Important Inspections After Disassembly Here are some recommended inspections that you should perform every time you clean and field strip your black rifle.