How to unload the ammunition from an AR magazine

This brief photo collection will illustrate how to unload the ammunition from an AR magazine. Although the illustrated AR magazine is from a Smith and Wesson M&P 15T AR rifle, this information also generally applies to all other AR style rifles. Click on any of the following photos to enlarge them.

Unloading an AR magazine is a little like unloading a standard handgun magazine. You drag the ammunition out from the top of the magazine one at a time. To start, place one of your fingers at the rear of the magazine on the flat part of one of the exposed rounds of ammunition.


Now push the exposed round of ammunition forward out of the magazine.



That's all there is to it. Repeat the process for all the other rounds of ammunition in the magazine until the entire magazine is completely empty.


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How to unload an AR rifle

This photo collection details how to unload an AR style rifle. The rifle that will be specifically featured is the Smith and Wesson M&P 15T, although the information presented generally applies to all AR style rifles. Click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

The first step is to go back once again and re-read the four rules.

#1 ALL FIREARMS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

# 2 NEVER POINT THE MUZZLE AT ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO DESTROY

# 3 KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

# 4 - BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET


While all four rules are equally important, let me emphasize that while unloading a firearm, be certain to keep the firearm pointed away from any target AND your finger off the trigger at all times.

To start, press the magazine release button located on the right side of the rifle. This should be a straight press inward toward the rifle and not slide up or down.


In the photo above I am using my right index finger to press in the magazine release button. Once you press this button, the magazine will detach.

After pressing the magazine release button, the magazine will be detached from the rifle. If the magazine does not move downward by itself, you may need to grip the bottom of the magazine and pull the magazine out manually.


NOTE: You can easily see on the top of the magazine if there was ammunition ready to feed into the rifle. In this example photo above, you can see the magazine had not been loaded with ammunition.

It is very important to realize that even after the magazine has been removed from the rifle, the firearm MAY STILL BE ABLE TO FIRE. A round of ammunition may have previously been loaded from the magazine into the chamber of the AR rifle.

To clear the chamber, first grip the handle of the charging handle with two fingers as in the photo below.


Now pull back the charging handle directly back away from the rifle in one strong motion like the photo below. If you are new to firearms, don't be afraid to exert some force to get the charging handle to move rearward.


At this point, if there was a round of ammunition in the chamber of the AR, it will come out of the side and fall out to the right when the charging handle pulls the bolt back. (If there was a round of ammunition in the chamber of the AR, it may also fall down and out of the magazine well). Also if the dust cover was closed prior to this step, pulling the charging handle back will pop it open.

At this point, the AR rifle has been completely unloaded. You can release your grip on the charging handle and the charging handle will automatically return the bolt forward.

However, for demonstration and safety purposes, we can lock the charging handle in a "open" position to more effectively show there is no ammunition in the AR rifle.

To do this, pull the charging handle back as far as it can go, and with your other hand, press the LOWER part of the BOLT CATCH on the left side of the AR rifle and release the charging handle.


Holding down the LOWER part of the BOLT CATCH and releasing the CHARGING HANDLE will leave the AR in an "open" position.


With the bolt locked "open", we can look down into the AR rifle and see there is no clip or ammunition feed inserted. Rule Number One is easier to verify in this configuration.

I do not recommend storing an AR rifle like this for long term storage. In a future blog entry, I will discuss how to secure an AR rifle with a gun lock.

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Basic parts of a AR rifle - Terminology

The following is a brief photo collection detailing the most basic components of a AR style rifle and a brief definition of what each part is and the basic function it serves.

The rifle that will be specifically featured is the Smith and Wesson M&P 15T, although the information presented generally applies to all AR style rifles (Olympic Arms, Stag Arms, DPMS, etc). Click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

There are a few common parts of a rifle you will find on virtually all AR rifle models and variations. This particular AR rifle is a Smith and Wesson M&P 15T. This model uses .223 or 5.56 ammunition. The AR rifle series is extremely popular and has found favor in United States law enforcement departments and the United States military divisions.


The next photo lists the basic AR components and their locations on the left side of the rifle.


Starting from the upper left, the FLASH SUPPRESSOR reduces the amount of flash exiting the barrel of the rifle when the weapon is fired. The FOLDING FRONT SIGHT is a integrated sight for the rifle and is used to align the rifle on a target in conjunction with the rear sight. The MODULAR RAIL FOREND (MRF) is a rail system designed to mount and secure accessories and extra equipment for the rifle.

The MAGAZINE holds the ammunition for the rifle and can be removed for reloading. The LOWER RECEIVER is the lower part of the main frame of the rifle (it houses the trigger mechanism among other items). The BOLT CATCH is used to lock the charging handle in an open position, or to release it from an open position.

The TRIGGER discharges the weapon. The FOLDING REAR SIGHT is a integrated sight for the rifle and is used to align the rifle on a target in conjunction with the front sight. The SAFETY SELECTOR LEVER places the rifle in either a SAFE or FIRE mode of operation.

The CHARGING HANDLE is used to manually chamber a cartridge (initially load the rifle). The STOCK is used to brace the firearm securely against the shoulder of the person utilizing the rifle.

The next photo lists the basic AR components and their locations on the right side of the rifle.


Starting from the left, the STOCK is used to brace the firearm securely against the shoulder of the person utilizing the rifle. The CHARGING HANDLE is used to manually chamber a cartridge (initially load the rifle). The MAGAZINE RELEASE allows the magazine to be removed or pulled out from the rifle.

The FOLDING REAR SIGHT is a integrated sight for the rifle and is used to align the rifle on a target in conjunction with the front sight. The UPPER RECEIVER is the upper part of the main frame of the rifle (it contains the barrel and sights among other items). The DUST COVER keeps debris and foreign items out of the barrel and bolt of the rifle. (NOTE: The DUST COVER will automatically open whenever the CHARGING HANDLE is pulled back).

The MAGAZINE holds the ammunition for the rifle and can be removed for reloading. The FOLDING FRONT SIGHT is a integrated sight for the rifle and is used to align the rifle on a target in conjunction with the rear sight. The FLASH SUPPRESSOR reduces the amount of flash exiting the barrel of the rifle when the weapon is fired.

Although there are many different makes and models of AR rifles, most have the same parts and are located in the same positions. (SPECIAL NOTE: STAG ARMS makes custom AR style rifles for people who are left-handed. In their specially designed AR style rifles, the "usual" left and right sides of an AR rifle have been reversed for much easier left-handed use)

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Reassemble a Glock

The following entry will illustrate how to reassemble a Glock once it has been taken apart. This information also generally applies to most modern handguns on the market today. (IE: Springfield Armory, Smith and Wesson, H&K, etc). Click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

Putting a Glock back together once it has been taken apart (on an intermediate level) is not as hard as it looks. You will have four pieces to put back in place.


From left in the photo above, you have the SLIDE, the BARREL, the RECOIL SPRING and the FRAME. There really is nothing to it.

Start by putting the barrel back into the slide. The barrel can only go in one direction, with the recoil spring mount being in the middle of the slide.


Drop it in and make sure the barrel end is even with the opening at the end of the slide.

The next photo is an overhead view of how the barrel looks when seated properly.


Now its time for the RECOIL SPRING. Align the closed end of the spring with the front opening of the slide and barrel.


Place the closed end of the RECOIL SPRING in the small opening in the front of the slide. The RECOIL SPRING will only fit flush in one direction for this.


Now this is the fun part. Place one finger on the end of the barrel where the RECOIL SPRING is seated and another finger on the open end of the RECOIL SPRING. Pinch hard and push the exposed end of the recoil spring down into the mount on the BARREL.


BE CAREFUL not to let the spring fly off! It is not as hard as it sounds, but the first few times most people do not pinch hard enough to get the RECOIL SPRING down into place.

Once you have seated the recoil spring, it will look like the photo below.


It will rest on the BOTTOM of the barrel catch and the core rod of the spring will be parallel with the barrel and with the slide.

Now that you have assembled the upper component, its just a matter of putting the two main pieces together.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE : MAKE SURE THERE IS NOT A MAGAZINE WITH AMMUNITION IN THE FRAME BEFORE PROCEEDING!!

You should see straight through the frame where the magazine is usually located just like in the photo below.


Starting from the end of the frame, take the slide and align it on the small bent rails. Move the slide back along the rails, with the rear sights moving toward the grip at the rear of the frame.


Continue moving the slide all the way back on the frame until it is lined up at the grip at the rear of the frame.


Now pull the slide back away from the firearm in one strong motion. You want to pull it back as if you were loading a round of ammunition from a magazine.


When the slide has moved as far back as it can go, release your grip.

That's it! The Glock is back together in one piece.

From here you can secure it for storage, or prepare it for use with magazines and ammunition.

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Disassemble a Glock (intermediate)

This photo blog entry goes over how to disassemble a Glock on an intermediate level for maintenance and cleaning. This information also generally applies to most modern handguns on the market today. (IE: Springfield Armory, Smith and Wesson, H&K, etc). Click any of the photos to enlarge them.

Once you have disassembled your Glock, you can perform basic cleaning of your firearm at this level. Glocks are notorious for not requiring much maintenance, but I always take my Glock apart on an intermediate level for a little more thorough cleaning. To do this, start by taking your Glock apart as mentioned here.



Now that you have the Glock in two pieces, let's look at the slide.



In the upper portion of the slide, near the barrel, there is a large spring. This is the RECOIL SPRING. We want to remove this part first. Just pinch at the bottom and use your finger on the top near the barrel as a stabilizer like the photo above.

Push up a little with your thumb and the RECOIL SPRING should come out pretty easy. Be careful and do not let it fly off the slide! Use a good strong pinching motion to move it from place and hold on to it at the same time like the photo below.


Once you have removed the RECOIL SPRING, set it aside.


Now we want to pull out the BARREL. This is the long cylinder inside the slide, and at this point, is the only thing left. Just grab it and move it forward a little and pull it out.


The barrel is free and clear! Now the frame, magazines, slide, recoil spring and barrel are all separate.


For the most part, you should not require any further disassembly of your Glock than this level.


Cleaning of all parts can be very effective at this point and most user-serviceable items are easy to work on from this point as well.

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