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

Review: Taurus 22TUC

Taurus USA's 22TUC is a little, polymer-framed .22 pocket pistol with a tip-up barrel design that, unlike many of the company's guns, is made entirely in the United States.

Korea Coast Guard Increases KelTec KSG Tactical Shotgun Inventory

KelTec recently announced that the Korea Coast Guard has ordered more KSG shotguns to join those already in service aboard the branch's patrol vessel fleet.

Korea Coast Guard

Korea Coast Guard

Rifleman Review: Mossberg 990 Aftershock

In 2025, Mossberg added to the non-NFA, shotshell-firing firearm category with its 990 Aftershock, which uses a semi-automatic operating mechanism while still maintaining a compact form factor.

Mossberg 990 Aftershock Rr 1

Mossberg 990 Aftershock Rr 1

Next-Gen Micro Red-Dot: The Steiner MPS 2.0

Steiner Optics has introduced the next-generation version of its Micro Pistol Sight, a red-dot optic that first hit the market in 2021.

Steiner MPS 01

Rifleman Interview: Banish Suppressors

The “Plinkapalooza” event in May saw a rimfire extravaganza, with hearing protection from Banish suppressors.

Rifleman Interview Banish Suppressors F

Rifleman Interview Banish Suppressors F

Hunting for the “Grail” Gun in the Modern Era

To really enjoy hunting for “that gun,” burn shoe leather instead of your mouse pad.

News, Tips & Techniques

Hunter in gun store

Hunter in gun store

More Latest Stories

Interests

More

American Rifleman Television

Rifleman Review: Mossberg 990 Aftershock | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Rifleman Review: Mossberg 990 Aftershock | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Mossberg, Mossberg 990 Aftershock, Non-NFA Firearm

ARTV

I Have This Old Gun

I Have This Old Gun: The British Brown Bess | An Official Journal Of The NRA

I Have This Old Gun: The British Brown Bess | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Brown Bess, British Army firearms, Flintlocks

I Have This Old Gun

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 3, 2026 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 3, 2026 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

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

Armed Citizen

American Rifleman News

New for 2026: KJI K950 Tripod and Titan Inverted Ball Head | An Official Journal Of The NRA

New for 2026: KJI K950 Tripod and Titan Inverted Ball Head | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Kopfjäger, K950 tripod, Titan inverted-ball head

News

American Rifleman Reviews

Rifleman Review: Mossberg 990 Aftershock | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Rifleman Review: Mossberg 990 Aftershock | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Mossberg, Mossberg 990 Aftershock, Non-NFA Firearm

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

Next-Gen Micro Red-Dot: The Steiner MPS 2.0 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Next-Gen Micro Red-Dot: The Steiner MPS 2.0 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Steiner Optics, Steiner MPS 2.0, Red-Dot Sight

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