071-311-2025 (SL1) - Maintain an M16-Series Rifle
Standards: Cleaned, inspected, and lubricated the rifle and magazine so they functioned correctly. Cleaned and inspected the ammunition. Turned in any unserviceable ammunition.

1.   Clear the rifle.

a. Remove the magazine from the rifle if there is one present.

b. Cock the rifle.

c. Turn the selector to SAFE (figure 071-311-2025-1).

Figure 071-311-2025-1. Selector lever on safe

Note. The selector cannot be turned to SAFE unless the rifle is cocked.

d. Lock the bolt open (figure 071-311-2025-2).

Figure 071-311-2025-2. Locking the bolt open

(1)  Pull the charging handle rearward.

(2)  Press the bottom of the bolt catch.

(3)  Allow the bolt to move forward until it engages the bolt catch.

(4)  Return the charging handle to the forward position.

(5)  Ensure the selector is on SAFE.

e. Inspect the receiver and chamber to ensure they do not contain ammunition (figure 071-311-2025-3).

Figure 071-311-2025-3. Inspecting the chamber

f.  Allow the bolt to go forward by pressing the upper portion of the bolt catch (figure 071-311-2025-4).

Figure 071-311-2025-4. Releasing the bolt

2.   Disassemble the rifle.

a. Verify the rifle is clear.

b. Remove the sling.

c. Remove the handguards if you can see dirt or corrosion through the vent holes (figure 071-311-2025-5). Handguards on the M16A2 are interchangeable because they are identical.

Figure 071-311-2025-5. Removing the handguards

WARNING: Use care to avoid bending or denting the gas tube while removing the handguards.

d. Push the takedown pin as far as it will go and pivot the upper receiver from the lower receiver (figure 071-311-2025-6).

Figure 071-311-2025-6. Pushing the takedown pin

e. Push the receiver pivot pin (figure 071-311-2025-7).

Figure 071-311-2025-7. Pushing the receiver pivot pin

f.  Separate the upper and lower receivers (figure 071-311-2025-8).

Figure 071-311-2025-8. Separating the upper and lower receivers

g. Pull back the charging handle (figure 071-311-2025-9).

Figure 071-311-2025-9. Pulling the charging handle

h. Remove the bolt carrier and bolt (figure 071-311-2025-10).

Figure 071-311-2025-10. Removing the bolt carrier and bolt

i.   Remove the charging handle (figure 071-311-2025-11).

Figure 071-311-2025-11. Removing the charging handle

j.   Remove the firing pin retaining pin (figure 071-311-2025-12).

Figure 071-311-2025-12. Removing the firing pin retaining pin

k. Put the bolt assembly in the locked position by pushing in the bolt (figure 071-311-2025-13).

Figure 071-311-2025-13. Bolt in the locked position

l.   Remove the firing pin by allowing it to drop out of the rear of the bolt carrier into your hand (figure 071-311-2025-14).

Figure 071-311-2025-14. Removing the firing pin

m.   Remove the bolt cam pin by turning it one-quarter turn and lifting it out (figure 071-311-2025-15).

Figure 071-311-2025-15. Removing the bolt cam pin

n. Pull the bolt assembly from the carrier (figure 071-311-2025-16).

Figure 071-311-2025-16. Removing the bolt assembly

Note. Perform steps o through r when the parts are dirty or damaged.

o. Remove the extractor pin by pushing it out with the firing pin (use care not to damage the firing pin) (figure 071-311-2025-17).

Figure 071-311-2025-17. Removing the extractor pin

p. Lift out the extractor and spring (figure 071-311-2025-18), taking care so the spring does not separate from the extractor.

Figure 071-311-2025-18. Removing the extractor and spring

Note. Press the top of the extractor to check spring function.

q. Release the buffer by pressing the buffer and depressing the retainer.

r.  Remove the buffer and action spring separating the buffer from the spring (figure 071-311-2025-19 and figure 071-311-2025-20).

Figure 071-311-2025-19. Separating the buffer and spring

Figure 071-311-2025-20. Separating the buffer and spring (continued)

s. Do not disassemble the rifle further.

3.   Clean the rifle by removing carbon buildup and lubricating according to lubrication instructions. Make sure you remove any excessive oil from the bore before firing.

Note. After firing ball or blank ammunition, clean the weapon one time only with CLP. Under all but the coldest arctic conditions, use only CLP to lubricate the rifle.

a. Clean the upper and lower receiver group using CLP to remove powder fouling in the upper receiver (figure 071-311-2025-21).

Figure 071-311-2025-21. Cleaning the receivers

b. Clean the bolt carrier group, wiping the following parts with swabs and other parts from the small-arms maintenance equipment case (figure 071-311-2025-22).

Figure 071-311-2025-22. Cleaning the bolt carrier group

(1)  The outer and inner surfaces of the bolt carrier.

(2)  The carrier key.

(3)  The firing pin recess and firing pin.

(4)  The firing pin hole with a pipe cleaner.

(5)  The carbon deposits and dirt from the locking lugs.

(6)  The areas behind the bolt ring and under the lip of the extractor.

c. Clean the following rifle parts, lightly lubricating with CLP (figure 071-311-2025‑22).

(1)  Lugs in the barrel extension, bore, and chamber.

(2)  Bolt carrier.

(3)  Slide cam pin area.

(4)  Piston rings.

(5)  Outside the bolt body.

(6)  Inside the bolt carrier key.

(7)  Firing pin and firing pin recess.

(8)  Outside surface of the protruding gas tube with a worn bore brush.

(9)  Buffer.

(10) Action spring.

(11) Inner surfaces of the lower receiver extension.

(12) Inside the lower receiver.

(13) All other components.

4.   Inspect disassembled rifle bolt assembly (figure 071-311-2025-23).

Figure 071-311-2025-23. Inspecting the bolt assembly

a. Identify defective or missing components.

b. Report deficiencies to the armorer.

WARNING: Do not interchange bolts between rifles.

5.   Assemble the rifle.

a. Insert the spring and buffer (figure 071-311-2025-24).

Figure 071-311-2025-24. Placing the spring and buffer

b. Insert the extractor and spring (figure 071-311-2025-25).

Figure 071-311-2025-25. Placing the extractor and spring

c. Push the extractor pin in (figure 071-311-2025-26).

Figure 071-311-2025-26. Holding the extractor pin in

d. Slide the bolt into the carrier until the bolt cam pin hole in both the bolt carrier and the bolt are aligned (figure 071-311-2025-27).

Figure 071-311-2025-27. Placing the bolt in the carrier

e. Place the bolt cam pin by putting it in the bolt carrier, turning it one-quarter turn (figure 071-311-2025-28).

Figure 071-311-2025-28. Replacing the bolt cam pin

f.  Drop in the firing pin to seat it (figure 071-311-2025-29).

Figure 071-311-2025-29. Placing the firing pin

g. Put the firing pin retaining pin in the bolt carrier to seat it (figure 071-311-2025‑30).

Figure 071-311-2025-30. Placing the firing pin retaining pin

h. Pull the bolt back (figure 071-311-2025-31).

Figure 071-311-2025-31. Pulling back on the bolt

i.   Place the charging handle by engaging it, then pushing the charging handle part of the way in (figure 071-311-2025-32).

Figure 071-311-2025-32. Placing the charging handle in the