Armorer - Patrol Rifle
P.O.S.T. Armorer’s Course - AR-15 Outline
LECTURE HOURS: 2
LAB HOURS: 22
COURSE GOAL:
The course will provide the student with the skills required to build and/or repair the AR-15/M-16
Rifle
The course consists of hands-on/practical skills for all Peace Officers and Department
Armorer’s.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to complete and/or demonstrate the
following without instructor assistance:
1. The safe handling of firearms.
2. The procedures, as instructed in this course, for the complete
assembly/disassembly of the AR-15/M-16 Rifle.
3. The tools necessary for the assembly/disassembly of the AR-15/M-16
Rifle.
4. The tools necessary to verify the correct installation of all parts.
5. The procedure for a safety check of the completed Rifle.
6. The procedures for a function check of the completed Rifle.
7. Acquire a passing grade on a written test upon completion of the lab
portion of the course.
I. COURSE CONTENT AND SCOPE:
A. OUTLINE OF TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE COURSE:
1. Introduction and overview:
a. Firearms Safety – importance of muzzle awareness.
b. Classroom safety –Eye protection – No ammunition.
c. Student conduct in classroom.
d. Instructor’s expectations.
e. Student’s expectations.
f. Registration.
2. Specialty tool information:
a. Punches.
b. Wrenches.
c. Receiver blocks.
d. Gauges.
e. Other tools.
3. Lower receiver assembly:
a. AR-15/M-16 lower receiver.
b. Install trigger guard assembly.
c. Install bolt catch assembly.
1
d. Install magazine release assembly.
e. Install pivot pin assembly.
f. Install standard single stage trigger group.
g. Install single stage hammer assembly.
h. Optional – Explain and demonstrate two stage trigger group.
4. Stock assembly:
a. Install safety selector in lower receiver.
b. Install pistol grip assembly in lower receiver.
c. Install take down pin in lower receiver.
d. Install 6 position collapsible stock or install A-2 fixed stock.
e. Install buffer and buffer spring.
5. Bolt and bolt carrier:
a. Install carrier key on bolt carrier.
b. Install ejector in bolt.
c. Install extractor assembly on bolt.
d. Install gas rings on bolt.
e. Install bolt into bolt carrier.
f. Install cam pin, firing pin and firing pin retaining pin into bolt carrier
assembly.
6. Auto information:
a. Differences in firing pins.
b. Explain and demonstrate full auto trigger/hammer group.
c. Explain and demonstrate 3 round burst trigger/hammer group.
d. Explain and demonstrate auto lower receiver.
e. Install full auto/3 round burst trigger/hammer group.
f. Explain and demonstrate auto buffers and buffer springs.
7. Upper receiver assembly:
a. A-4 upper receiver.
b. Install ejection port cover.
c. Install forward assist assembly.
8. Rear sight assembly:
a. Explain and demonstrate differences between A-2 fixed carry handle
applications and A-2 removable carry handle applications.
b. Install rear sight in A-2 removable carry handle.
c. Install A-2 removable carry handle on A-4 upper receiver.
9. Barrel information and assembly:
a. Barrel rifling rate of twist information.
b. Explain and demonstrate how to determine rate of twist.
c. Ar-15/M-16 gas port sizes and location.
d. Install barrel nut.
e. Install hand guard cap.
f. Install front sight housing and taper pins.
g. Install delta ring.
h. Install weld ring.
i. Install snap ring.
j. Install front sight assembly in front sight housing.
k. Install front sling swivel.
2
l. Optional – Install front side sling swivel.
m. Install flash hider.
10. Barrel assembly installation:
a. Insert barrel assembly into upper receiver.
b. Tighten barrel nut.
c. Install gas tube.
d. Align gas tube with carrier key.
11. Hand guards:
a. Install standard hand guards.
b. Optional – explain and demonstrate Quad rail hand guards and
installation.
12. Head space and throat erosion checks:
a. Explain and demonstrate head space gauges.
b. Explain and demonstrate throat erosion gauges.
13. Final assembly:
a. Install charging handle in upper receiver assembly.
b. Install bolt carrier assembly in upper receiver assembly.
c. Attach upper receiver assembly to lower receiver assembly with the
pivot pin.
d. Close upper and lower receivers and secure with take down pin.
e. Rifle assembly complete.
14. Function and safety checks:
a. Check magazine release.
b. Check safety function.
c. Check semi-auto function.
d. Optional – check 3 round burst/full auto function.
15. Trouble shooting the AR-15/M-16 rifle:
a. Insure that the firearm is unloaded and safety is in the “safe” position
before attempting maintenance on that firearm.
b. Review Trouble Shooting chart.
16. Disassemble AR-15/M-16 rifle into its component parts.
a. Remove parts in reverse order of installation.
b. Exceptions – 5a, 9f, 9l.
17. Reassemble AR-15/M-16 rifle:
a. Begin with 3a.
b. End with 14c (14d optional).
18. Final disassembly of the AR-15/M-16 rifle:
a. Remove component parts in reverse order.
b. Package and label all parts.
19. Written test:
a. Test as supplied by Instructor.
3
b. Upon completion all test will be scored.
c. Return scored tests to Instructor.
20. Certificates and evaluations:
a. Certificates of completion awarded to all who successfully complete
the course.
b. Student evaluations of course.
c. Instructor’s final words to students.
II. METHODS OF EVALUATION:
A student’s grade will be based on multiple measures of performance and
accomplishment of the course objectives as determined by the instructor. A passing
grade indicates the student possesses the ability to apply the principles as instructed in
this course.
III. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
A. The appropriate method of instruction will be determined by each instructor
and may include, but is not limited to:
1. Lecture with or with various audio/visual aids.
2. Demonstration.
3. Group problem solving and discussion.
4. Practical application.
IV. REQUIRED SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT:
Equipment to be supplied by students:
Paper and writing implement.
Clothing appropriate for the training venue.
Equipment to be supplied by Instructors:
All component parts for the AR-15/M-16 rifle.
All tools required to assemble the AR-15/M-16 rifle.
All testing materials.
4
Expanded Course Outline
1. Registration and Orientation
2. Introduce instructors
3. Course objectives/Overview
4. Safety briefing I(c)
A. The Laser Rule – Develop muzzle consciousness
B. General Firearms Safety
5. Tool Information:
A. Armorer Tool Kit:
6. Assembly of AR-15/M-16 Rifle:
A. Lower Receiver:
B. Stock Assembly:
C. Bolt and bolt carrier assembly:
D. Auto information:
E. A-4 upper receiver assembly:
F. Rear sight assembly:
G. Barrel information and assembly:
H. Barrel installation:
I. Check headspace and throat erosion:
J. Final assembly:
K. Function and safety checks: **BE SURE FIREARM IS UNLOADED**
L. Trouble shooting: **BE SURE FIREARM IS UNLOADED**
M. Disassemble AR-15/M-16 rifle into component parts:
N. Re-assemble AR-15/M-16 rifle:
O. Final disassembly of AR-15/M-16 rifle:
P. Written test:
Q. Certificates and evaluations:
5