AR-15 Basics: Controls, Function, Disassembly, & Reassembly.

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Published 2012-11-04
AR15 Basic Introduction & Operation - Beginner 101. Close Up in HD. Just bought your first AR-15? This video is intended for those who are interested in the AR-15 platform, but haven't had the opportunity to handle or shoot one. And those of you who may have just purchased an AR for the first time and would like to see how they're broken down. I cover the controls, some functions, disassembly, and reassembly for cleaning. This video covers the very basics only.
Overview - 0:50
Controls - 1:19
Disassembly - 7:12
Reassembly - 11:04

Colt LE6920 AR-15 at Walmart - Quick Review.
youtube.com/watch?v=ar2R2...

How To Decock An AR 15
youtube.com/watch?v=4NzYT...

Good basic cleaning how to video with schedule:
" AR-15 Cleaning " by hickok45
youtube.com/watch?v=kwK3j6...

"AR 15 Lubrication" by James Yeager (Grease)
youtube.com/watch?v=OXIsKE...

Note 1:
"Ride it home" - Slang for - easing the bolt forward.
People that are new to AR's / firearms, are reluctant to just let the charging handle go. So, they ease the charging handle forward "riding it home". By doing this, they are taking a certain amount of energy away from the bolt. The bolt needs that energy to strip a round of ammunition out of the magazine and chamber it. If you ease the charging handle forward, you are more likely to create misfeeds, and/or jamming. So, just pull it back, and let it go.
**Caution: It's not good practice to do it with any semi automatic firearm, that doesn't have a loaded magazine in it (to slow the action). Without a loaded magazine in the firearm, the bolt (or slide in the case of a pistol), does slam forward, possibly damaging the firearm. In that case, you do want to ease it forward ("ride it home").

Note 2:
The carry handle came with my rifle, which is a Colt. However, it does not have any Roll marks on it to indicate that it was manufactured by Colt. Do a Internet search for AR 15 Carry handle. You'll find them.

** I approve all comments, EXCEPT those with swear words in them. Please refrain. Cheers **

All Comments (21)
  • @newcoyote
    THIS. This is how these types of videos should be made. Clear, straight forward, no BS. Thank you.
  • went over all the basics regular shooters know, but compared to some of the guys videos showing the same stuff - yours is more then a step above the rest and would be a lot of help for people needing to learn the basics. your camera stayed in focus, spoke clear and gave all the necessary information with everything staying clear on camera. 2 thumbs up brother, keep shooting.. 👊
  • @mtm1614
    I am a new AR-15 owner, I found this to be a great video, very helpful, thank you
  • @billjohnson6556
    Thanks for a really good, clear, annoying-music-free vid. Great work!
  • There are a lot of really good videos explaining AR 15's - but this is by far the clearest, most complete, detailed I have seen. GREAT JOB - thank you
  • @barrycohn3272
    I am relatively new to AR's and wanted to watch a good instructional video before disassembling my Ruger AR556 for the first time. I watched half dozen videos on YouTube before I found your video. None of the other videos were particularly good in showing how to take the bolt carrier group apart. Your presentation is clear and concise and by far the best I found. Thank you very much for posting.
  • 4:45 California: "You're quite literally not allowed to reload guns in a reasonable, realistic, human manner, but it's TOTALLY not about disarming you! No sir!"
  • @GunsOfTheWest
    I’m a long-time firearm owner and instructor, but I’m new to the AR-15. I just bought my first one and this video was extremely helpful! Many thanks!!
  • Just bought my new AR15. You were much more help than the gun shop employee. Thanks
  • Finally, someone that knows how to teach beginners. Liked and subscribed
  • @lastdaysguitar
    One minor note on the magazine advice (to remove the bullets): the springs in the magazine are not aged by being compressed (i.e.: mag full of ammo), they may be left at full capacity with no wear, they actually age by repetitive motion of change of state of the spring, so be aware that taking unused ammo out of a magazine is actually wearing on the magazine spring.  It is better for the magazine spring to leave ammo in place UNLESS of course there is a safety issue (like children potentially gaining access to the HW.   Safety first.
  • The "oh common" comment was a dead giveaway this is an honest to goodness real life demonstration and not one of those fake, made to look easy, demonstrations. This does a far better job of explaining my grandson's new AR to him than I ever could. Thank You - a GREAT video
  • I know nothing about guns and just got a ar-15 and this video explained it really well.
  • @chalemi6909
    If there is a better AR-15 breakdown video...I've never seen it! Great video close-ups. Very nice job!
  • @tillman002000
    Former Military. Been years since I handled a rifle. Thanks for the refresher.
  • @mds5444
    Truly awesome presentation. Your did an excellent job explaining this procedure, no hiccups, no stalls. Just pure competence in this rifle. Thank you so very much. You made what I considered a daunting job into something I am now super confident I can do tomorrow when I service my AR guns. Thank you so very much.
  • @danbielen5597
    Its been 40yrs since tearing down the M-16 thank-you also for the refresher.
  • I've been watching multiple "Beginner" videos for the AR-15. This is the best one so far.