Loading an AR rifle with the charging handle locked back

The next series of photos show how to load an AR style rifle when the charging handle has been locked back in an open position. The rifle used in this illustration is a Smith and Wesson M&P 15T rifle. The information on how to do this procedure generally applies to other AR style rifles as well.

Loading an AR when the charging handle has been locked back is very similar to loading an AR with a magazine as mentioned previously. It is still a fairly straightforward task. First, take the magazine with ammunition and align it at the bottom of the firearm.


Press the magazine up into the AR rifle using a smooth motion. Press up on the magazine until it "clicks" into place. You do not need to slam the magazine into place, but you do need to press up a little more force than you usually would with a typical handgun magazine. Just press up on the magazine until you hear the "click" of the magazine locking into place.


Now you need to locate the bolt catch on the AR rifle. On the Smith and Wesson M&P 15T, it is located on the left side of the rifle.


Now with your thumb, press the bolt catch in toward the AR rifle.


The next photo is a side view of the bolt catch you want to press in toward the rifle.


As soon as you press in the bolt catch, the charging handle will move forward. When the charging handle moves forward, a round of .223 or 5.56 ammunition will be loaded from the magazine into the chamber of the AR. The AR rifle is now ready to fire.


As always, DO NOT FORGET 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

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