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: Yankee Hill Machine Victra-12 Shotgun Suppressor

Yankee Hill Machine has recently released its Victra-12 shotgun suppressor, which promises to quiet the report of a 12-gauge shotgun while adding less weight than ever before.

A Clear Advantage: The Shield Sights OSMx Competition Red-Dot

Based on its OMSsc red-dot optic introduced last year, Shield Sights has launched the larger, competition-oriented OSMx red-dot for 2026.

Shield Osmx 01

Gun of the Week: Taurus 66 Combat Revolver

Taurus USA recently expanded its revolver line with the 66 Combat, a larger, all-steel revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge. Watch our "Gun of the Week" video to see the 66 Combat in use on the range.

Taurus 66 Combat GOTW F

Taurus 66 Combat GOTW F

The Armed Citizen® March 6, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Armed Citizen, News

The Armed Citizen

The Armed Citizen

Armed Citizens Outperform the Police in Stopping Mass Murderers

A recent crime study indicates that armed citizens are better at stopping mass killers than the police.

Armed Citizen, News

Armed Citizens Stopping Mass Murderers F

Armed Citizens Stopping Mass Murderers F

Building A Legacy: One Hunter's Journey Toward a 338 ARC Bolt-Action

Hornady's 338 ARC cartridge was designed to pack plenty of subsonic power into an AR-sized platform. But how does it perform if you're looking to build something a bit more traditional?

She Looks Good On The Back Of The Ranger. No Scope Rings Yet 1

She Looks Good On The Back Of The Ranger. No Scope Rings Yet 1

More Latest Stories

Interests

More

American Rifleman Television

250 Years of the U.S. Army: Rifle Muskets, Trapdoors & Early Bolt-Actions | An Official Journal Of The NRA

250 Years of the U.S. Army: Rifle Muskets, Trapdoors & Early Bolt-Actions | An Official Journal Of The NRA

U.S. Army, Army 250th, Model 1855/1861 Springfield

ARTV

I Have This Old Gun

I Have This Old Gun: Röhm RG 14 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

I Have This Old Gun: Röhm RG 14 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

I Have This Old Gun, Rohm RG 14, RG Industries

I Have This Old Gun

The Armed Citizen® March 6, 2026 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

The Armed Citizen® March 6, 2026 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

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

Armed Citizen

American Rifleman News

#SundayGunday: Mossberg 500 Combo Field/Deer | An Official Journal Of The NRA

#SundayGunday: Mossberg 500 Combo Field/Deer | An Official Journal Of The NRA

News, O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Mossberg 500

News

American Rifleman Reviews

Review: Kimber 2K11 | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

Review: Kimber 2K11 | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

review, kimber, uspsa

Reviews

NRA Gun of the Week

Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory Hellcat in .380 ACP | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory Hellcat in .380 ACP | An Official Journal Of The NRA

NRA Gun of the Week, Gun of the Week, Springfield Armory

NRA Gun of the Week

Charter Arms Introduces Walker & Boomer Revolvers | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Charter Arms Introduces Walker & Boomer Revolvers | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Charter Arms, Charter Arms Walker, Charter Arms Boomer

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