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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