If you’ve been around firearms for a while, it may seem obvious how to field strip and clean your Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 rifle. But sometimes a step-by-step guide proves useful, so Michael and his daughter Molly at Lake Norman Firearms Training made this video to help out.
What tools do you need to clean an M&P 15-22?
Michael has Molly along to help show how easy the process can be. She lays out the items they are going to need for the quick video:
- a bore snake
- patches
- gun oil
- scrub brush
- bore cleaner
Field Stripping
First things first, Michael has cleared the M&P 15-22 and ensures that the safety is engaged. He lays the rifle down and Molly uses a punch to disengage the back retention pin on the receiver.
Once the back has pulled away, they punch the front pin, lift the upper off of the lower and remove the charging handle and bolt.
Cleaning the M&P 15-22
Once the upper has been removed from the lower, they use a scrub brush to remove any debris from the chamber and rear of the barrel. They follow up with patches to wipe any of the dirt away.
Next, they put bore cleaner near the scrub portion of the bore snake, and lubricant oil at the end. They insert the prepared bore snake from the weighted end and feed it through until it comes out the muzzle end of the barrel. With Molly pulling, the snake cleans out the barrel and then lubricates it in one motion.
After they finish the upper receiver, they turn their attention to the lower. They use the patches and scrub brush to clean debris out of the magazine port and trigger area. Michael lifts the hammer to help Molly clean it easier.
The bolt and charging handle are pretty straightforward, using patches to wipe off any debris and spent powder. Michael uses patches with oil on them to help lubricate the bolt, making sure that the oil is distributed along the system, including the arms of the bolt.
Reassembly
After the parts are cleaned to their satisfaction, Michael and Molly align the charging handle onto the bolt and insert it back into the rear of the upper. Next, they line up the front pin and push it back into place. Michael then closes the upper back down and pushes the rear pin back into place. He wraps up the process by charging the rifle a few times to make sure the oil is distributed.
The complete process is pretty straightforward and easy to accomplish. But are you wanting to upgrade from the standard M&P 15-22?
