Do you have questions about the AR-15 but not sure where to start? Well, you’re not alone! With decades of expertise in the self-defense field, Intuitive Self Protection (ISP) is tackling the most common questions to shed light on this prolific weapons system. Despite being a hot topic of debate, the AR-15 is a symbol of American firearm culture, preferred for its modularity, versatility, reliability, and the wide availability of parts and accessories. We’ll cover the origins of the AR-15, carbines and rifle definitions, legal matters, safety procedures, maintenance, customization and upgrades, tactical skills and physical fitness.

What Does AR-15 Stand For?

You’d be surprised at how many people think "AR" means "Assault Rifle" or "Automatic Rifle," but it actually stands for "ArmaLite Rifle," named after the company that created it. In the late 1950s, the AR-15 burst onto the scene, developed by the ArmaLite Corporation. Engineers designed and built this lightweight, versatile firearm with a smaller caliber so soldiers could carry more ammo. Though, it was later made available to civilians and law enforcement in the early 1960’s. So now that we’ve cleared that up, are AR-15s considered an assault rifle? The AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle, meaning it fires one shot each time you squeeze the trigger. Now, an "assault rifle" technically can switch between semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes, which the civilian AR-15 can't do.

Are Carbines and AR-15s The Same?

People sometimes use these terms interchangeably but though they might seem alike, there's a fine line between them.  'AR' usually refers to the platform, while 'carbine' is about the barrel length. Rifles with barrels shorter than 20 inches are usually what we call a carbine. When you’re talking carbines and AR-15s, remember, size does matter. Not all rifles are carbines, and not all carbines are ARs!

Register For Our Urban Carbine Course Here

What Are The Legal Requirements For Owning an AR-15?

Knowing the legal aspects of owning, customizing, and potentially using an AR-15 is critical. We strongly advise you to get a good understanding of federal, state, and local laws, especially for those who carry their AR-15 for hunting or self-defense. We won’t get into specifics because laws are different from state to state and they’re always changing. It's essential to stay updated with the regulations in your state. It would be of great benefit to protection yourself and your family by investing in gun owner’s insurance. Coverage typically includes criminal defense costs, civil liability, bail bond coverage, legal representation and more. Intuitive Self Protection (ISP) prefers coverage from US Law Shield. Of course, everyone should do their research to find out what’s best for them.

What Are The Best Practices For Operating An AR-15 Safely?

As with any firearm, handling an AR-15 in a safe manner is super important. Understanding how to safely handle, operate, store, and transport the AR-15 is essential to prevent accidents and ensure responsible ownership. When in use, always treat the firearm as if it were loaded, keeping your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot, and keep the weapon safety engaged until you are ready to fire. Be aware of your surroundings and never point the muzzle at anything you don't intend to shoot. When not in use, store your AR-15 in a secure location. When transporting it, be sure it's unloaded and secured to prevent mishaps.

How Do I Maintain And Clean My AR-15?

Proper maintenance and cleaning are critical for responsible firearm ownership. Decide on a regular maintenance schedule based on how often you run your gun and the environmental conditions you’re running it in. Overall, cleaning extends the lifespan of your rifle but it’s also beneficial for optimal performance, reliability, and safety. Preventing malfunctions through proper upkeep is key. You don’t want to be in a life-or-death situation and get a malfunction that could have been avoided with better maintenance. In our Urban Defense Carbine Course, we teach how to work through malfunctions. There’s a lot to be covered but here’s a simplified guide for how to maintain and clean your AR-15.

Supplies: To clean your AR-15, you must have the right supplies. This includes a bore rod and brush, bore snake, cleaning patches, cleaning wipes, solvent, lubricant, nylon brush, and microfiber cloth.     

Field Stripping: To make sure you get that bad boy clean, you must disassemble the internal components of your AR-15. You remove parts like the charging handle, bolt carrier group, and depending on your firearm, sometimes the handguards and stock. If you’re not sure how to do this, check out the manufacturer’s instructions.

Cleaning: You can start with cleaning the barrel by attaching the bore brush to the end of the cleaning rod. Add some solvent to the brush and run it through the barrel a few times to remove the debris. Then, you can run a bore snake through the barrel from the chamber end and pull it all the way through. Make sure you add a little lube with that.  Next, you clean each part of the Bolt Carrier Group with solvent and a nylon brush. Pay close attention to the bolt, firing pin, and extractor; these are areas that get loads of carbon buildup. You can use a microfiber cloth to apply a thin layer of lubricant to the moving parts of your AR-15, including the bolt carrier group, charging handle, and trigger assembly. Don’t over lubricate, it attracts dirt. Then, you wipe down the outer parts with microfiber to remove dirt, debris, or excess lube. Finally, you’ll want to reassemble your AR15 and do a function check to make sure all parts are operating correctly. Don’t get caught slipping on proper maintenance; it’s the key to a well-functioning firearm and safe shooting experience.

Want More Free Pro Training, Interviews, and Discounts on More Advanced and Live Training? Click Below to Join Our Email List

Customization and Upgrades

The AR-15's modularity gives owners free range to personalize their rifles to their heart’s desire. Kind of like Legos; you can mix and match components to create the ideal setup. From changing barrels to upgrading triggers, the options are vast. With barrel swaps you can experiment with calibers and lengths for improved performance. Upgrading the trigger can enhance accuracy and control. Adding optics and accessories further tailors the rifle to individual needs and shooting conditions. Some people prefer customization simply because it allows them to build a firearm best suited to their preferences and purposes. Which do you prefer?

Most Popular Tactical Skills with The AR-15

Popular tactical skills sought after by AR-15 enthusiasts include rapid target acquisition, efficient reloading, shooting from various positions, engaging multiple targets, moving and shooting, use of cover and concealment, malfunction clearing, low-light shooting, long-range accuracy, and tactical breathing. Room clearing and close-quarters combat skills are also valued for home defense or law enforcement purposes. At ISP, we offer resources to train in all these areas, but one must be vetted and have basic and intermediate skills squared away first. If you’ve trained with Intuitive Self Protection, then you know that safety is always top of mind.

Do I Need To Be Physically Fit?

Being a good shot is no doubt crucial in self-protection scenarios, but physical fitness plays an equally important role. In high-stress situations, physical fitness can enhance your performance by improving endurance, agility, and mobility. You move more efficiently, react quicker, and maintain better control over your body and firearm under pressure. Regular physical training also cuts down on fatigue, which can affect your shooting accuracy and decision-making abilities during extended engagements. Something else to think about is what to do if you can’t use your weapons system for whatever reason. Intuitive Self Protection trains for this very situation. We have an integrated fighting system that trains you to move from weapons system to empty hand or edged weapons and back again if needed. This is what we call gun fighting. We strongly stress the importance of physical fitness as an integral part of self-protection training so that our members are well-prepared for any situation.

Closing

We know that there is much more to cover on this topic, but we’ve answered a few questions we often get asked about the AR-15. At ISP, we're committed to providing resources and training opportunities to ensure our members have the skills, knowledge, and confidence through experience to handle their firearms responsibly and efficiently. These are perishable skills, so continuous learning and preparation are key to staying safe and proficient.

Want more content like this? Sign up for our email list, check out our website, and show your support by liking, sharing, and subscribing on this blog, Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Reality Check Radio and YouTube.

About The Author

Hank Hayes is a Combat Arts Hall of Famer and inventor of the No Lie Blade. He is the founder and CEO of both Intuitive Self Protection and NLB Tactical and creator of the ISP/NLB viscous fighting system. Since 1998, he has trained well over 30,000 Military and Law Enforcement personnel via Government contract mainly at the elite special teams level and continues to train both civilians and MIL/LE how to come home safe.