Essential AR-15 Maintenance Tips for Maximum Reliability and Long Service Life

Essential AR-15 Maintenance for Longevity and Reliability Your AR-15 is more than just a firearm—it’s an investment in your safety, training, and enjoyment. Whether you’re using it for home defense, competition, or range time, proper maintenance is the difference between a rifle that runs flawlessly and one that fails when you need it most. At Cajun Arms, we’ve seen the good, the bad, and the downright scary when it comes to AR upkeep. Let’s walk through the essential steps you can take to keep your rifle running at peak performance for years to come.

 

1. Keep It Clean—but Not Overcleaned The AR-15 is a rugged platform, but it does need periodic cleaning—especially after high round counts, shooting in wet or dusty conditions, or using lower-quality ammo.

Basic cleaning checklist:

Field strip the rifle (upper, lower, bolt carrier group).

Clean the bore with a quality rod or pull-through bore snake.

Wipe down the bolt carrier group (BCG) and remove carbon build-up from the bolt, firing pin, and cam pin.

Brush the chamber and star chamber lugs with a chamber brush.

💡 Pro Tip: Avoid obsessive “white glove” cleaning after every trip unless you’re in harsh conditions—overcleaning can wear parts prematurely.

 

2. Lubrication Is Your Friend

The AR platform thrives on proper lubrication. A dry rifle is a recipe for malfunctions, excessive wear, and broken parts.

Where to apply lube:

Light coat inside the upper receiver rails.

Generous lube on the BCG’s bolt and cam pin.

A few drops on the charging handle rails.

💡 Pro Tip: Use quality gun oil, not WD-40. And yes—more lube is usually better than less on an AR.

 

3. Inspect Wear Points Regularly

Parts wear down with use. Catching problems early means cheaper fixes and fewer surprises.

Check for:

Gas rings that are worn or misaligned (bolt should stand upright in the carrier).

Loose castle nuts or end plates.

Worn extractor springs or chipped extractors.

Barrel nut torque and gas block alignment (especially if accuracy drops suddenly).

 

4. Keep the Bolt Carrier Group Healthy

The BCG is the heart of your AR-15. If it goes down, the rifle goes down.

Every few cleanings:

Inspect the bolt lugs for cracks or rounding.

Check the firing pin tip for deformation.

Replace extractor springs and O-rings periodically.

💡 Pro Tip: Many malfunctions we see in the shop trace back to neglected BCG parts—don’t skip this step.

 

5. Store It Right

Your rifle’s longevity depends on how you store it.

Keep it in a climate-controlled, dry place.

Store muzzle-down if possible (oil won’t migrate into the stock or buffer tube).

Use a light coat of corrosion protection on metal surfaces before long-term storage.

 

6. Train with It

This might surprise you, but one of the best ways to keep your AR reliable is to shoot it regularly. Regular use lets you catch small issues early, before they become big problems. Plus, you’ll stay proficient with the platform.

 

Final Word

Your AR-15 will treat you as well as you treat it. Follow these simple maintenance steps, and you’ll have a rifle that’s accurate, reliable, and ready whenever you are.

If you’re unsure about any part of AR-15 care—or just want a professional once-over—bring it to Cajun Arms. We’ll help you keep it running like new.

 

📍 Cajun Arms – Training • Sales • Gunsmithing From first shots to advanced tactics—we’ve got you covered.

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