How to Use an AR-15 

I love how friendly and professional this is. He covers the basics without treating new gun owners like retards. Love the vid! Just got my first AR-15 and I can't wait to shoot it

2 years later this is one of the top trending videos during COVID-19...

This is just a refresher for those of us who carried an M-16 in the military. It's never a bad idea to review what you learned for safety's sake.

I used the M-16 for years in the military, but that was 35yrs ago. Just purchased my first AR and this is a nice refresher course.

I know I’m the minority here (I’m a left-leaning guy, but before you jump on me, I’ve never had a problem with guns, and NEVER advocated for taking them away), but (or maybe because) I’m a realist, and I know the importance of them, and that they are just a tool. I also am very much aware of my ignorance of guns, which is really due to being raised in a house that was basically anti-gun (my stance on guns probably makes me a bit of a black sheep on that issue). I just wanted to say, at the risk of looking like the ignorant ass in front of everyone, that this was one of the best and most informative videos I’ve ever watched on guns. I really do think that a lot of the anti-gun thought processes on my side of the aisle is fear-based, and fear is a direct reflection of ignorance (which goes for both sides of the aisle). I’m a bit less ignorant because of this video, so thank you. Well done, you really make me want to go shoot an AR!

Non condescending back to basics. Great chapter of the 101 series. Thanks

My dad was a military man and police officer. I was shooting guns from a very young age and still enjoy shooting to this day. Dad was STRICT about gun safety and every single thing he taught me as a young child, I still do to this day. I wanted to compliment you on your video as it's very well done. It never hurts anyone to refresh gun safety and the "basics" of shooting.

Folks, this is perhaps the BEST "how to" video on the internet! Extremely presentable expert with excellent camera angles. I like how he took his time to explain different scenarios as well as offering outstanding techniques and practices. I came here because it has been a while since I used my AR at the range and this is my GO TO video as a refresher. Please pass this along to your friends who either own or are thinking about owning an AR! Well done Lucky Gunner Ammo!

I've been shooting for years but still enjoy watching these Shooting 101 videos. If nothing else they give me good terminology and a good order of operations for teaching new shooters.

Never seen anyone able to show what the sight picture should look like on RU-vid. I'm sure you did something to animate it, but it looks very true to life, and I applaud you for that extra effort. Kudos.

This guy is the best explainer I’ve ever seen. What people want is short, sweet, and to the point but thorough, and this guy did exactly that. It’s hard to know what ar-15 route to choose when you’ve nvr handled one and don’t know what features you’ll like until u better understand them. Even tho it’s 14 minutes long, there wasn’t a single word wasted. Good deal brother.

I have been shooting for over 60 years, been in the military and hunted game big and small, I really appreciate your matter of fact and down to earth approach to teaching. Great job and great video.

The kindest most gentle understanding DI I’ve ever seen!

There is one practical use for the forward assist, and that's silent chambering. Instead of releasing the charging handle, walk it forward and use the forward assist to push the bolt all the way into battery.

This has got to be the best AR15 training video out there...thank you

I have owned AR's since the 1970's and I still find your videos very good for new and even "advanced" gun owners who need a reminder. Very simple and very, very well done.

I have never commented on any video on RU-vid before, but I just bought my first AR15, and I throughly enjoyed this video. Thank you very much, one of the best videos on the subject I have seen.

Nothing wrong going back to the basics and always relearning fundamentals

Outstanding. It has been 36 years since I was first trained,(with an M16 in government service), and this AR tutorial was a great refresher for this weapon platform. This was precisely what I needed - a complete recap of all of the fundamentals to make sure I have not forgotten anything. Incredibly useful. Thank you!

I just bought my first AR15. And after reading the owner's manual, I found this video incredibly informative and helped me understand some of the things that I kinda was still unaware of.

The gun world is full of people who pounce on any tiny thing said wrong in a video like this yet you said everything accurately and in an easy to understand manner. Great video for new shooters! Well done.

from someone who has never shot a firearm before and want to go to a shooting range for the first time, this was a very thorough explanation on how to handle this particular rifle. Seems all angles were covered. Great job. I will definitely save this video and watch it many times before going to the shooting range.

Started shooting this platform when I joined the Army in 1986 and have loved it ever since. I watch videos like this one to enhance my own ability to train newcomers to this field. I found your video to be complete and to the point. My takeaway was the "making life and death decisions anytime we pick up a gun." Thanks for that, I'm going to use it.

By far the most clear, straight forward, and easy to understand guide. I really appreciate you sharing this

When my dad bought his AR-15, it was a very unpopular rifle. People made fun of him for it when he took it for hunting, and just to buy it he had to travel like 100 miles out. Now who's laughing?

This video came just in time...I just purchased my first AR 15! LOVE THIS PAGE ALWAYS GOOD INFO!

This video was so incredibly simple, I've seen a lot of guys try to teach people how to shoot ARs and they do a really great job of making it overly complex. This is absolutley perfect for the new shooter or someone new to the platform. Or even someone who's trying to refresh their knowledge. I know that to most people who are familiar with the platform this was probably painfully simple. But with that it's much easier for newer shooters to understand. Especially a platform like an AR which can be more complex to operate.

Easily one of the most easy to follow and concise videos I can give to a new AR shooter. I just got back into AR and was looking for good info for my family who also recently bought into the platform. I'm not a great instructor and often miss things I consider "second nature " . This video really helps me consider elements I didn't. I am asking them to watch this and we will review. So very good.

Most responsible experienced people of any discipline (guns, airplanes, Kitchenaid mixers, etc.) benefit from going back to basics. Safety and knowing your tool go hand in hand. This is a great video for people new to the AR platform and those who think they already know all they need to know. I've been shooting AR's for decades, and I found this helpful.

This is by far the best beginner AR-15 video I have found. Your presentation is very clear and explains everything I needed to know. And I am a new subscriber because I really appreciate how you make me feel comfortable learning step by step. Thank you!

This is a great introductory video for new AR owners. I just bought my first one (Smith and Wesson M&P15 Sport II) tonight and can’t wait for it to get to the store! I look forward to getting to the range for the first time with it.

Just purchased a new AR-556. Thank you so much for this easy to understand, friendly demonstration. Great work!

You know. Even though I have been shooting for a good bit of time and have no need to really watch these How To videos I still watch them. I find your content great for recommending to new shooters that do need this, and of course I need to make sure the content is there! It always is. I appreciate you guys making this content as its a great learning tool that I can utilize!

Very well done Video, I'm an experienced military veteran and I watched this cuz I wanted to see, well you know, make fun of the video, but you my friend must also be experienced well beyond just the AR-15. Good Job! Every new shooter should watch this video.

Thanks for making this video. I'm not used to working with people who've never shot a firearm before, so teaching my girlfriend about my AR has been challenging to put it lightly. I sent her this video to watch and she's been practicing how to operate it for over 2 hours now by herself. Thanks again.

I want to give a huge thank you for this video. Others that I have looked at, I couldn't finish, because of being poorly thought out, poor camera work, etc. You did a thorough instruction and took my fears away. I have had a SW/MP-15 for 6 years and have been afraid to shoot it. But, now I know what sight to buy and the basics to operate the rifle. Thanks a lot.

I've been shooting AR-15's for 10+ years now, and I still learned something new from this "basic" instructional video. Great stuff, keep posting such awesome content!

You call that instruction ? I didn't hear you curse not even once. You didn't insult me or talk about my home state either.

This video is invaluable. As a kid in basic training during the war, I easily made “marksman” at the range using the M-16. Now, I feel rather intimidated by my Springfield Saint Vincent. I am not going to the range until everything is this video becomes second nature to me. Thank you!

Outstanding video. I fielded the M-16 over 40 years ago, but havent handled an AR style rifle since then. This was a great refresher, thanks.

I'm also an experienced shooter who appreciates these videos. I'm teaching my older kids about guns and these will be useful in that.

I’ve shot ar’s for years and know them pretty well, but it’s fun watching this video and this guy explain things. I can see how this would be a great guide for someone new to platform, this guy explains things in a very calm, friendly, and inviting way.

I clicked on this video for a good refresher I didn't think it was this much of a beginner lesson but I will say this.. This is a very well thought out very well executed and presented video. Seriously. You did a hell of a job explaining the basic functions of the AR-15. If I have never in my life held one before... I would at least know how to load it and shoot it at this point. Good job.

Love your vids, dude. You are thorough and clearly smart and eloquent, unlike a lot of firearm related content creators on youtube. Thanks

Please continue with the AR15 series of videos for a while! I've been waiting forever for you guys to put out content around this. Awesome, awesome stuff!!!

"The gun will not fire unless there is a round in the chamber" lol I love that some people need that explained to them. Great video by the way!

AR-15s are in the news a lot; this helped me understand a bit better what they are. I appreciate how prominent the safety tips are in the tutorial, and especially the closeup image of what it looks like when the chamber isn't empty (at 4:08).

I purchased my first MSR 15 and your video has given me the knowledge and confidence to take it to the range instead of just looking at and saying “Wow”, I can’t wait to shoot this thing. As a retired teacher, I’ve listened to countless instructions. Yours is clear, concise, and well-organized.

For someone who claims that he is no expert, you sure do know what you're talking about. Excellent job Brother! I've been shooting for years myself and although you'd never catch me being complacent, it always helps to know, stick to and maintain the basics of SAFE AR Rifle handling! Bravo!!

I have been around guns my whole life. Own many bolt action rifles, different shotguns and handguns but just got my first AR. I have some basic knowledge but this video was very reassuring. Great info!

Good people here. I’ve been buying froM them for about 6 months now and always fast deliveries and good videos. I know the basics of the AR but this helps a lot. Always was used to my Dads Remington. He was in Korea. Excellent marksman. Always very careful with his guns and never ever boasted. He was a doer!

Thank you, excellent video! I’m a lefty, and it’s great that you gave some very important tips on handling and operation for lefties. Awesome!!

I expect my first ar this week, I'm a first time ar shooter as I'm an aussie living in Florida. I'm no stranger to long rifles and own pistols but this video is the only one I needed to watch. Thanks for covering all bases brother was a great help 🙂

As someone new to the firearm hobby, Angela and Chris are some of the nicest people to deal with regarding Ammo purchases. Great to see an instructional facet to accompany their business. It shows that they care enough to get proper, accurate information out to the public regarding the use of their product. The 2A community is very cool. Keep 'em coming, I'm happy to be part of the "Lucky Gunner" family.

These guys are the best. I just bought my first AR and watched plenty of videos on how to use it but this is the most informative and best produced. And he doesn't make you feel like an idiot.

Your videos are always outstanding. Been a concealed carrier for a few years now, looking to buy my first AR and this video was invaluable. Excellent content, keep doing what you're doing, we all appreciate it!

Thank you for that info sir. I’m in the process of purchasing my first AR and intend to do as much practicing as I can when I get it. Also, nice incorporation of live fire so that reinforces what was gone over in the video. I look forward to watching more of your videos.

Being around guns your entire life, and trying to teach someone new I forget about a lot of little things. This is the best video I have ever seen!

Stellar demo. Wish I had seen it when I bought my AR 6 months ago. I shared it with my two adult sons who each bought one last week.

Thanks for the video, and good tip on the trigger finger indexing. As mostly a pistol shooter I am used to keeping mine indexed horizontally along a slide, but as a newbie on the AR I found that puts it right on top of the mag release. Indexing it up on the end of the open dust cover door a much better idea.

Hi Chris - You have produced an excellent set of videos that provide new shooters with excellent how to instructions as well as refreshing those that are experienced firearm owners. May your business grow exponentially as you give of your time to others (Proverbs 11:25).

Very cool video, informative and covers the most important aspects of the AR platform, as always safety first, clear explanation of the steps, I wish they were more videos like this. Great job!

Wow, the level of completeness was amazing. I would feel confident having a brand new gun owner watch this for sure! Couldn't be better! Amazing!

*I know everything about ARs and how to operate them, still watched entire video.*

I understand firearms pretty well and have a deep respect and interest in them, however living in California i have never been around them much, I've taken a few handgun classes and have been to the range a hand full of times. This upcoming weekend I am going on vacation with friends and we are bringing an AR. I have not shot anything bigger than a 1911A1 and this video was a very informative refresher on how to handle a firearm. Though the video covered the very basics it was not condescending and covered a topic that not many other gun channels I follow do because they are common sense to regular gun people. Thank You

Very informative...The last time I handled this type of weapon was in the service some 40 years ago, and I recently purchased one. This is a great refresher

Thank you for the video. Very informative and well laid out from start to finish. I love picking up the little nuances of each narrator on AR15 “101” videos and then logically adding them together for my own preferences. I can’t wait to pick up my BCM RECCE 14 kmr

This gentleman is articulate, knowledgeable, and an excellent instructor.

Just a thoroughly well thought out and teachable video that gives all the information one would need about an AR-15! Thank you for being so precise!

Great vid! I've been shooting for over 50 years - hunting, casual plinking and competition - and I'm sure I sometimes take the basics for granted. But I do realize that many new shooters (like the 7 millions FIRST TIME GUN OWNERS IN 2020) really do need this basic level of introductory instruction. Your vid is simply excellent for those new to the sport. I am becoming a huge fan of your vids in general and this one wonderfully comprehensive for its intended purpose. Keep up the good work!

Another great vid! And I found it at just the right time , I pick up my 1st AR tomorrow it's in .300 Blackout, I've only shot bolt action in the past, so this vid is a big help. I first found your channel searching for vids on how to store your shotgun, your "cruiser ready" was a great help! Thanks for making informative, easy to understand vids & keep up the great work!

Awesome explanation of "iron sights" I'm sure new shooters will benefit from this. Thank you

As a 27 year teacher, you my friend, are an educator. Explained so clearly and concisely. I'm a veteran teacher, but a newb shooter. I appreciate the straight forward, non intimidating instruction. Nice job!

Thanks for the tutorial. It's been 20 years since I used an AR-15. Just bought one and needed a refresher. This did the trick.👌

this is a great video on how to operate and shoot an AR15 from start to finish. very detailed and explained in chronological order. I had used an AR before but its been some years since I fired one. after watching this video everything I learned before came back just like that. Great job.

Thanks for the video. Been around firearms all my life but new to the AR thing. Have to admit, not a big fan of this rifle so all the help and knowledge is appreciated! Be safe!

Thank you I just bought my first AR this was a huge help

Out of all other videos I watched you did the best thank you for going slow and step by step at explaining everything and why I appreciate it !!!

I’ve been considering getting my first AR-15 and having been a pistol guy only, they’ve been a little intimidating. This video was very helpful in getting me more familiar with the basics of the platform. Thanks for making content like this.

Thank you LG! I'm retired military (USA,20 yrs) very good video! Salute! AR's are only as dangerous as you make them. I have seen more negligent discharges with shotguns and handguns than rifles.

Great video, thanks. Just got AR-15 and learning everything about it.

I love this. Nothing is assumed, everything is described in detail. I expect that that was the intent, and it is massively successful. Kudos.

As is normal for you Chris, nice concise information in a way that many can learn from and recommend to others. Great starting point.

Most popular rifle in every state except Massachusetts

Nice introduction and refresher. I learned something. Thanks

I'm getting ready to buy my first AR and this did exactly what I needed it to do. Simple, clear, just right. Thanks!

This is the perfect video for beginners. Thank you so much! And by the way I have bought thousands of rounds from your website, and it's great.

New to ARs so this is exactly what I needed, thanks!

Your videos are not only packed with extremely valuable info you are most definitely saving lives teaching the proper ways of use.

Dude!!! I love the way you use simple verbiage and you didn’t rush on explaining. Awesome video!

One of the best demos for using an AR-15. I appreciate this and was super helpful!!

Left-leaning liberal here who is into airguns but this video totally makes me want to go gunpowder lol. Very well done! A lot of these instructions also apply to airguns with the added safety precautions for handling extremely high-pressure air tanks (up to 4500 PSI).

Excellent tutorial. Only in person could make it better. PS I was an officer in charge of an M16 range in 1971. I always emphasized safety in my presentation. You did an excellent job on safety for beginners.

Excellent video! I just bought the M&P Sport 2, and while I was somewhat familiar with it, this was a great overview of the AR platform and features!

Awesome video, very clear instructions on how to use the AR. Incredibly helpful for this newbie and my first time at the range. Thanks!

Great series. Thinking about doing a Shotgun 101?

Foward Assist has another purpose. When you want to silently chamber a round, follow the charging handle down and use the FA to walk the bolt into battery.

Shot my AR for the first time the other day. Very easy to use. I appreciate this video. Helps to understand how things work.

As a fairly new gun owner, I appreciate your teaching...so much so, that I also buy my ammo from Lucky Gunner ! Great fast & friendly service & shipping.

Have hunting rifles, shotguns, and handguns but just bought a AR (near the riots) thanks for the video. Home defense arsenal grows lol