2. Remove the cover, recoil spring, and guide toward the rear.
3. Move the bolt assembly rearward to exactly the point shown, to align its exit cut in the rail, and tip it off toward the right.
4. To remove the bolt from the carrier move it rearward while pulling the front away from the carrier, as shown.
5. Lift the extractor, and remove the angled bolt toward the front.
6. While it is possible to pry the extractor out of its track, you run the risk of breakage. Except for repair, it is best left in place.
7. If it is necessary to remove the firing pin, you must first take out the ejector and its spring. This is done by fully compressing it forward and turning it for removal. CAUTION: Control the compressed spring.
8. After the ejector and its spring are removed, pushing on the head of the firing pin will usually allow the retainer to drop out. Or, it is easily pushed out downward. Take care that the small retainer is not lost.
9. Ease the firing pin out, and remove the pin and its return spring toward the rear. Note, for reassembly, the location of the retaining recess in the head of the firing pin. To take out the trigger guard first use a non-marring
10. The extractor spring can be taken out of the carrier by pushing one of its two arms inward to clear its recess, then tilting, it to release its retainer at the rear. There is a risk. of deforming it, so in normal takedown, it is best left in place.
11. tool to pry the rear of the trigger guard off its retaining stud, as shown. The guard is then turned downward toward the front.
12. Move the trigger group forward to the point shown, and take it out downward.
13. Move the safety to off-safe position, restrain the hammer, pull the trigger, and ease the hammer down to fired position. Exert firm forward pressure on the sear at the rear of the trigger, and drift out the trigger pin. CAUTION: The trigger, sear, sear spring, and the powerful hammer spring and its guides will be released, so keep them under control.
14. If you do not have sufficient finger strength to control the parts when the pin drift is removed, as shown, then wrap the unit in a shop cloth to contain the parts.
15. Remove the hammer spring and its guides.
16. Remove the trigger, sear, and sear spring.
17. Push out the hammer crosspin.
18. Remove the trigger guard.
19. Move the hammer rearward to the position shown, allowing it to be moved to the left to clear its safety lug. Take the hammer out upward.
20. Move the safety lever all the way to the rear, beyond its on-safe position, and insert a tool to depress and hold the detent plunger and spring. Tilt the safety inward, and remove it upward. CAUTION: Keep the plunger and spring under control. After the safety is removed, the plunger and spring can be taken out.
21. Drifting out the cross-pin at the front of the unit will release the magazine catch and its torsion spring. CAUTION: Control the spring.
22. Use a non-marring tool to depress and hold the button on the right side of the bayonet mount, and move the barrel band forward until it clears the unit. If it is right, nudge it with a nylon drift and a small hammer. The button must be kept depressed during this operation.
23. Alternately squeeze the latches at the rear of the upper handguard, and lift it off. Tip the barrel and receiver unit upward at the front, and remove it from the stock.
24. Take the gas piston connector off by holding the piston and moving the connector rearward, then tipping it outward at the front.
25. The remaining components of the gas system can be taken off toward the front by removal of the lock nut and the retaining nut. This should be done only for repair or refinishing. In normal takedown, leave this system in place.
26. If the front sight is to be removed, you must first take off the muzzle cap. Hold the spring arm of the sight hood away from the serrations on the cap, and unscrew it (counter-clockwise, front view). The sight base is retained on the barrel by a crosspin. A crosspin also retains the rear sight leaf.
27. To remove the bolt hold-open and its plunger and spring, use a slim tool to depress the plunger, and turn the part until its straight edge aligns with the side of the retaining flange. CAUTION: Control the plunger and spring.
28. The front-end piece of the stock, including