Reassembly of an AR rifle

This photo blog entry will illustrate how to reassemble a AR series rifle that was taken apart in a previous blog entry. I will once again use the Smith and Wesson M&P 15T for the illustration, but the information also generally applies to all AR style rifles.

A disassembled AR rifle looks intimidating to reassemble for a novice. But I personally find reassembling an AR rifle much easier than reassembling most pistols.


Before reassembling an AR rifle, take a quick look at the bolt assembly. Take a close look at the bolt in the bolt assembly. It should be forward, where the first arrow is in the photo below. If it is in the rear position, the bolt assembly will not return to position in the upper receiver.



If the bolt was in the incorrect position, moving it forward is just a matter of pulling and slightly rotating the bolt assembly as the photo below illustrates.



The charging handle needs to be aligned first in the upper receiver before inserting the bolt assembly. Start by angling the charging handle up into the upper receiver.



Once the handle has caught on the keyway on the top receiver, it can be lifted up and can move in very easily. Getting the charging handle to catch on the keyway inside the upper receiver on the first try will take a little practice.



With the charging handle slightly inserted in the upper receiver, place the bolt assembly underneath the charging handle and align it with the notch on the upper receiver, just like the photo below.



Now just slide the charging handle and bolt assembly into the upper receiver at the same time.



Continue moving the bolt assembly and charging handle into the upper receiver while keeping the ends of both components aligned as much as possible.



Continue moving the bolt assembly and charging handle into the upper receiver until they are both flush with the ends of the upper receiver frame as in the photo below.



Now just close the upper receiver and lower receiver together. The upper and lower receivers should merge with no pressure. If the receivers do not close, try pressing the bolt assembly and charging handle a little further into the upper receiver and try again.



Once the upper and lower receiver are together, press in on the take down pin on the right side of the rifle.



Continue pressing in on the take down pin until it is flush with the frame and can move no further. After doing this, you should notice the pin has re-emerged on the left hand side of the rifle near the safety select switch.



The AR reassembly is now complete!



NOTE: Be sure to clean off all oil left behind on the exterior of the rifle by fingerprints or cleaning residue.

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