M16 Cycle of Operations by Cutaway

This guide details the essential steps for lubricating a new AR-style rifle before its initial firing, as demonstrated by an experienced instructor. It covers proper disassembly, specific lubrication points on the bolt carrier group and trigger mechanism, and reassembly. The video emphasizes the importance of lubrication for new firearms, drawing a parallel to car maintenance, and highlights the performance of the We The Pieu MX1 lubricant in hot conditions like those found in Utah.

This guide explains the function of the buffer tube in an AR-15 or AR-pattern rifle, as demonstrated by Jared from GUNBROS. The buffer tube is a critical component of the operating system, housing a buffer and spring. Upon firing, the bolt carrier group compresses this spring and buffer assembly as it moves rearward, and the subsequent expansion of the spring drives the BCG forward to chamber the next round. This process is essential for the semi-automatic function of AR-pattern firearms.

This guide details the process of loading and firing a .22 LR AR-style rifle, emphasizing its intended uses for small game hunting and as an affordable training platform. The video demonstrates competent handling, loading, and shooting proficiency from an authoritative perspective. It highlights the importance of using the .22 Rimfire caliber for its specific purposes.

This video emphasizes the importance of high-accountability shooting, focusing on achieving 100% accuracy (all Alpha hits) even when shooting rapidly. Lucas Botkin, an experienced instructor, demonstrates a drill using USPSA targets to push shooters beyond their comfort zone and refine their marksmanship under pressure. The drill is presented as a crucial component for a fuller understanding of training effectiveness, applicable beyond competitive shooting.

This guide, drawing from the expertise of Hickok45, emphasizes the effectiveness of iron sights on AR-15 style rifles. It advises new rifle owners not to feel obligated to buy an optic immediately, encouraging them to first master shooting with iron sights. This approach can save money and build fundamental marksmanship skills, proving that enjoyable and ethical shooting is achievable without expensive accessories.

This guide details the operation of a Forced Reset Trigger on an AR-15 platform, as explained by an experienced instructor from RTT : Guns & Gear. It covers the three-position selector (Safe, Semi, Forced Reset) and the mechanical process by which the cycling action of the firearm forces the trigger to reset, enabling rapid follow-up shots. The guide emphasizes understanding the continuous cycle and practicing safe operation.

This video offers a highly critical, historically grounded analysis of the M14 rifle's shortcomings, attributing its failure to flawed US Ordnance Corps decisions regarding cartridge standardization and weapon design. The speaker, an expert in small arms, details how political motivations and resistance to innovation led to the adoption of an inadequate weapon system, contrasting it with superior alternatives like the AR-10 and FN FAL. The analysis highlights the detrimental impact of these decisions on US military effectiveness, particularly in Vietnam.

This expert-level entry details the M16's troubled introduction in Vietnam, debunking myths of inherent design flaws. It highlights how political decisions, procurement issues, and ammunition choices, rather than the core design by Eugene Stoner, led to early reliability problems. The entry emphasizes the mechanical evolution from the AR-15 to the M16A1 and the critical role of chrome lining, proper maintenance, and correct ammunition in establishing the platform's eventual success.

This guide, drawing on the expertise of a former Colt employee and AR-15 SME Hank Tatro, details the critical role of AR-15/M16 buffers. It explains how buffer design evolved to manage bolt carrier bounce caused by increased firing rates and different ammunition types. The guide emphasizes selecting the correct buffer for specific firearm configurations and warns against improper mixing and matching, particularly for duty applications. It covers standard rifle and carbine buffers, as well as H, H2, H3, and specialized 9mm buffers, providing insights into their construction and application.

This comprehensive review by Chris Bartocci, a recognized expert with extensive military armory experience, debunks common myths surrounding the Beretta M9/92FS. Bartocci details the pistol's history, including its selection over the M1911, and addresses controversies like slide failures, attributing them to ammunition and high usage rather than design flaws. He highlights the evolution of critical components like the locking block and discusses magazine reliability issues, offering practical insights for owners and enthusiasts.