What Resource for the Care and Feeding of the AR15?

[Tensaw]

Given the popularity of the AR15, surely there must be some compendium of knowledge whereby a feller could get educated as to all the finer points of how an AR15 works. Troubleshooting, tuning, optimizing the system (not accessorizing), torque values where applicable, etc. Something at least as detailed as a Glock Armorers Manual, but explanations of how the system works and parts interact would be appreciated too. An AR15 armorer’s manual for the pedant. A hard copy book, or volume of books, would be preferred but a DVD or even a YouTube series would be okay too. And I ask this understanding that the A answer is, take a class. Fine. But give me a reference that lets me get my pedant on and prepares me for the class. Thanks in advance.

[Wayne Dobbs]

Get the SAW Armorer's and Colt Armorer's manuals for manuals. Will Larson (RIP) taught a great class that non-LE could attend and I don't know if he had a manual or not. Next, look at Pat Rogers (RIP) videos and material from SWAT magazine for some realistic stuff. For a deeper dive into the gun itself and the true beginnings and good tech information, get Black Rifle I by Edward Ezell and Black Rifle II by Chris Bartocci.

I taught the Colt LE Armorer's class for years and likely have some other stuff that's shareable for you. PM for details.

[SeriousStudent]

Get the SAW Armorer's and Colt Armorer's manuals for manuals. Will Larson (RIP) taught a great class that non-LE could attend and I don't know if he had a manual or not. Next, look at Pat Rogers (RIP) videos and material from SWAT magazine for some realistic stuff. For a deeper dive into the gun itself and the true beginnings and good tech information, get Black Rifle I by Edward Ezell and Black Rifle II by Chris Bartocci.

I taught the Colt LE Armorer's class for years and likely have some other stuff that's shareable for you. PM for details.

Hi Wayne,

Will did not have a manual, but he did teach from a set of notes and Powerpoint slides on his personal laptop. He developed a syllabus, and worked his way through it, covering specific items for build and maintenance procedures.

He also had a tools and parts list that he handed out in class.

Tensaw - here is a link to the second book Wayne mentioned: It's a special edition, and a bit more costly than the regular editions: http://www.specializedarmament.com/books-%C2%B7-manuals-%C2%B7-dvds/black-rifle-ii-sa-special-edition/

And please, take Wayne up on his offer.

[5pins]

TM 9-1005-319-23&P. You can find it free online.

[Chuck Whitlock]

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?7009-AR-Technical-Discussion-FAQ-Knowledge-Base-Threads

While the bulk of the above forum does not have near the signal:noise ratio of PF, the threads in the above link are a good jumping off point for technical info.

[frozentundra]

I love listening to Pat Rogers talk about guns and shooting. Here is a free YouTube video of him talking AR-15s.

Pat has quite a few retail videos online with Panteao Productions. The Panteao website has a huge library of videos with many of the big-name instructors in the industry, and they have a subscription based streaming service available which gives you unlimited access to their whole library. I just payed for a month because I have some spare time lately and there was a sale. It's the second time I've ordered a month's subscription.

It was worth it just to watch the Pat Rogers videos again.

They also have AR Armorers videos with Dean Caputo, whom I gather Pat Rogers thought quite highly of. I haven't watched those yet. You may take a look at their library and see if it's worth $20 or so dollars for a month of access if you plan on having a lot of spare time for watching firearms related videos.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ej-xCW_YQs

[DueSpada]

http://www.astrotx.com/M-16A1%20Rifle.pdf

64929

[HCM]

Given the popularity of the AR15, surely there must be some compendium of knowledge whereby a feller could get educated as to all the finer points of how an AR15 works. Troubleshooting, tuning, optimizing the system (not accessorizing), torque values where applicable, etc. Something at least as detailed as a Glock Armorers Manual, but explanations of how the system works and parts interact would be appreciated too. An AR15 armorer’s manual for the pedant. A hard copy book, or volume of books, would be preferred but a DVD or even a YouTube series would be okay too. And I ask this understanding that the A answer is, take a class. Fine. But give me a reference that lets me get my pedant on and prepares me for the class. Thanks in advance.

https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Mike-pannone-Erik-Lawrence/dp/0980080304


M16/M4 Handbook Spiral-bound – January 1, 2008
by Mike pannone & Erik Lawrence

This book is a quick reference for military personnel conducting range training. It stems from the author's more than 20 years of shooting experience using the M16/M4 series weapon for support, training, and combat. This handbook is not filled with "nice to know", but only" need to know " information and can be used as a guide for classes prior to range operations, or as a quick reference when operationally deployed. It give the "what" and "how" but also the "why" necessary to teach the proper operation and employment of the M16/M4 weapon system. Areas covered include ballistics, malfunctions, maintenance, and sight adjustment for commonly used optics.

[blues]

Gunsmithing the AR-15 (https://www.amazon.com/Gunsmithing-AR-15-Patrick-Sweeney/dp/1440208999/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+ar-15&qid=1608472336&s=books&sr=1-2) by Patrick Sweeney is another resource that has some useful info and images.

[JohnO]

Highly recommend!

https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Mike-pannone-Erik-Lawrence/dp/0980080304

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/513UiXNQcTL._SX378_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

[tango-papa]

Given the popularity of the AR15, surely there must be some compendium of knowledge whereby a feller could get educated as to all the finer points of how an AR15 works. Troubleshooting, tuning, optimizing the system (not accessorizing), torque values where applicable, etc. Something at least as detailed as a Glock Armorers Manual, but explanations of how the system works and parts interact would be appreciated too. An AR15 armorer’s manual for the pedant. A hard copy book, or volume of books, would be preferred but a DVD or even a YouTube series would be okay too. And I ask this understanding that the A answer is, take a class. Fine. But give me a reference that lets me get my pedant on and prepares me for the class. Thanks in advance.

Just attended the Colt armorer's course two weeks ago with Allan Offringa - my second course with Allan.
He (Allan) made a specific note/point about the Colt Operation and Unit Maintenance Manual (armorer's manual) provided for the course.
The manual was written by Christopher Bartocci when he was employed at Colt.

Chris has published an armorer's manual for what seems to be a reasonable price at $40 per copy.
I have a copy of the manual ordered and while I don't know yet, suspicion it's probably good to go given his background - happy to give you a report once in hand.

Additionally, just as an FYI, Larry Vickers newest Vickers Guide AR-15 book lists Bartocci as one of the authors.
The new Vickers book, in my opinion, is fantastic - I splurged for a signed copy and was fortunate enough to get one of the books also signed by John Meyer.

Assuming you took Wayne Dobbs up on his offer, you're probably good to go.

Curious if you are set with the info/knowledge you were seeking?

[HCM]

Additionally, just as an FYI, Larry Vickers newest Vickers Guide AR-15 book lists Bartocci as one of the authors.
The new Vickers book, in my opinion, is fantastic - I splurged for a signed copy and was fortunate enough to get one of the books also signed by John Meyer.



Just don't ask Bartocci to sign it. Apparently Bartocci never got paid for his participation and it's a sore point for he and his wife. Especially the wife since she brings it up frequently in their Q&A videos.

[HCM]

Hi Wayne,

Will did not have a manual, but he did teach from a set of notes and Powerpoint slides on his personal laptop. He developed a syllabus, and worked his way through it, covering specific items for build and maintenance procedures.

He also had a tools and parts list that he handed out in class.

Tensaw - here is a link to the second book Wayne mentioned: It's a special edition, and a bit more costly than the regular editions: http://www.specializedarmament.com/books-%C2%B7-manuals-%C2%B7-dvds/black-rifle-ii-sa-special-edition/

And please, take Wayne up on his offer.

Sons of Liberty Gunworks is still doing open enrollment AR armorer classes based on Will Larson's class, which they hosted regularly until his untimely death.

While Will is tough act to follow, the SOLGW folks do build and repair AR's as their sole business.

[LittleLebowski]

I love listening to Pat Rogers talk about guns and shooting. Here is a free YouTube video of him talking AR-15s.

Pat has quite a few retail videos online with Panteao Productions. The Panteao website has a huge library of videos with many of the big-name instructors in the industry, and they have a subscription based streaming service available which gives you unlimited access to their whole library. I just payed for a month because I have some spare time lately and there was a sale. It's the second time I've ordered a month's subscription.

It was worth it just to watch the Pat Rogers videos again.

They also have AR Armorers videos with Dean Caputo, whom I gather Pat Rogers thought quite highly of. I haven't watched those yet. You may take a look at their library and see if it's worth $20 or so dollars for a month of access if you plan on having a lot of spare time for watching firearms related videos.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ej-xCW_YQs

God, I miss Pat.

[Casual Friday]

School Of The American Rifle or SOTAR as it's often called is another good resource. He has a Youtube channel and is pretty active on FB last time I was on there, and there's a SOTAR private group as well. He does physicals and autopsies on rifles as well as components.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaUOYvlDrZh5LWILrVDUM4w

[awp_101]

TM 9-1005-319-23&P. You can find it free online.

Does it matter which version? The newest I can actually find for download is the 2008 edition: https://transasianaxis.com/orig_site/content/manuals/M4_16_23Pchange8.pdf

I haven’t been able to find a SAW manual at all, anyone have any leads on that front?

[5pins]

Does it matter which version? The newest I can actually find for download is the 2008 edition: https://transasianaxis.com/orig_site/content/manuals/M4_16_23Pchange8.pdf

I haven’t been able to find a SAW manual at all, anyone have any leads on that front?

Generally no. The changes in the manuals are usually small.

Not sure about the SAW.

[awp_101]

Here's another that may be of some benefit: https://info.publicintelligence.net/USMC-M16-MaintenanceManual.pdf