Join Renew Donate

Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

CLOSE

Quick Links

ArmaLite M-15 A2 Carbine

by

NRA Staff

posted on July 15, 2012

News, Reviews, Rifles, Semi-Auto Rifles

Support NRA American Rifleman DONATE

** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

A step-by-step photo tutorial on how to fieldstrip the popular Armalite M-15 A2 Carbine.

Gallery

ARMALITE M-15 A2 CARBINE

NRA Staff

1 of 1

ARMALITE M-15 A2 CARBINE

NRA Staff

Armalite M-15 A2 Carbine

Charging handle

NRA Staff

1 of 1

Charging handle

NRA Staff

Pull the charging handle to the rear and pull the bolt carrier (31) group from the upper receiver (Fig. 1). Remove the charging handle by dropping it through the recesses in the upper receiver. Depress the buffer retainer (81) to release the buffer (42) and buffer spring (41). Pull the buffer and spring from the receiver extension tube (43).

NRA Staff

1 of 1

Retaining pin

NRA Staff

Pull the firing pin retaining pin (29) from the bolt carrier (Fig. 2). Up-end the bolt carrier and let the firing pin (26) fall from the bolt carrier.

NRA Staff

1 of 1

Cam pin

NRA Staff

Push the bolt (33) into the carrier, then rotate the cam pin (30) 90 degrees (Fig. 3) and pull it from the carrier.

NRA Staff

1 of 1

Bolt

NRA Staff

Extract the bolt (Fig. 4).

NRA Staff

1 of 1

Extractor pin

NRA Staff

Push the extractor pin (37) out of the bolt (Fig. 5), but be careful with the small extractor spring (35) and extractor spring insert (34). Some easily fall from the extractor (36) and can be lost

More like this from around the NRA

The Evolution Of The Colt Model 601 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

The Evolution Of The Colt Model 601 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

The AR-15: A Brief History | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

The AR-15: A Brief History | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

Entertainment Group’s Lawsuit Against Gun Manufacturers Dismissed with Prejudice | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Entertainment Group’s Lawsuit Against Gun Manufacturers Dismissed with Prejudice | An Official Journal Of The NRA

NRA World Shooting Championship: A Firsthand Look | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

NRA World Shooting Championship: A Firsthand Look | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

Latest

More

I Carry: Springfield Armory SA-35 Polished in a Falco C631 Gorham Holster

In our latest episode of "I Carry" above, we're taking a closer look at the details of the new Springfield Armory SA-35 Polished, and we're packaging it with a high-quality leather holster from Falco Holsters, along with a new EDC knife from Work Sharp.

ATF Suffers Major Cybersecurity Incident

On Aug. 27, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced that an outside group had breached its systems in what it termed a "major incident."

At Cyberf

The Model 87 Ultra Special: A Rare Survivor of Ithaca's Final Gamble

In the spring of 1990, an 18-year-old received a shotgun he didn't order. The Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special he got instead was the last gasp of one of America's most iconic shotgun makers.

Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special 1

Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special 1

As Gun Sales Stay High, Violent Crime Hits a Historic Low

According to a recent report from the FBI on national crime statistics, violent crime has decreased 9.3 percent from 2024, marking the largest year-to-year drop since the 1930s.

Armed Citizen, News

Fbi Crime Rate Statistics F

Fbi Crime Rate Statistics F

Five Million Friends

From one room of friends in Missouri to a nationwide movement, Friends of NRA celebrates more than five million lives touched through community, volunteerism, and a shared commitment to the future of the shooting sports.

Friends Of Nra 5 Million 1

Friends Of Nra 5 Million 1

Federal to Provide Rifle Ammunition to Top Nordic Police Agencies

The Nordic Police, comprised of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, recently selected two Federal Ammunition rifle loads for duty and training use.

News, Ammunition

Federal Awarded Contract[2]

Federal Awarded Contract[2]

More Latest Stories

Interests

More

American Rifleman Television

Rifleman Review: Taurus GX4 Strike Bravo | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Rifleman Review: Taurus GX4 Strike Bravo | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Taurus USA, Taurus GX4 Strike Bravo, Taurus GX4

ARTV

I Have This Old Gun

I Have This Old Gun: Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece | An Official Journal Of The NRA

I Have This Old Gun: Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece | An Official Journal Of The NRA

I Have This Old Gun, Smith & Wesson, Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece

I Have This Old Gun

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 24, 2026 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 24, 2026 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Armed Citizen, The Armed Citizen Blog, The Armed Citizen Online

Armed Citizen

American Rifleman News

Focus on the Conservation’s Future—Groundbreaking Lessons in Arkansas | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Focus on the Conservation’s Future—Groundbreaking Lessons in Arkansas | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Conservation, Arkansas, Hunting

News

American Rifleman Reviews

Rifleman Review: Taurus GX4 Strike Bravo | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Rifleman Review: Taurus GX4 Strike Bravo | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Taurus USA, Taurus GX4 Strike Bravo, Taurus GX4

Reviews

NRA Gun of the Week

Gun of the Week: EAA Girsan Witness2311 CMXX | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Gun of the Week: EAA Girsan Witness2311 CMXX | An Official Journal Of The NRA

EAA Corp, EAA Girsan Witness 2311, EAA CMXX Witness2311 Double Stack

NRA Gun of the Week

New For 2026: Beretta APX A1 Ported | An Official Journal Of The NRA

New For 2026: Beretta APX A1 Ported | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Beretta, Beretta APX, Beretta APX A1 Ported

New For 2026

The Keefe Report

The Keefe Report: The Incomparable, Inimitable Phil Schreier—1962-2025 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

The Keefe Report: The Incomparable, Inimitable Phil Schreier—1962-2025 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Philip Schreier, The Keefe Report, Mark Keefe

The Keefe Report

More Interests

EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS