The AR-15 is a simple machine. It's a direct impingement, semi-automatic rifle available in a multitude of calibers, and it feeds from a box magazine. A box magazine is the most common type of magazine, and on the AR-15, it's inserted through the bottom of the AR-15 lower receiver. With the magazine in mind, can you fire an AR-15 without a magazine?

Yes!

Yes, you can fire the rifle without a magazine present in the rifle. Some firearms exist with something called a magazine safety. Magazine safeties will prevent the firearm from firing when the magazine is removed. A standard AR-15 does not have a magazine safety, and I'm not aware of any such safety device on any AR rifle.

Sig Sauer M400 Elite

What Happens When You Fire Without a Magazine?

Once you pull the trigger, the firearm fires, the bolt will fly to the rear of the gun, ejecting the round and then return forward on an empty chamber. Without a magazine, the AR-15 is effectively turned into a single-shot rifle, as another round cannot feed into the gun, and the bolt will not automatically lock to the rear. To fire the gun again, the shooter will have to insert a magazine and utilize the charging handle to place a round into the chamber. Alternatively, you can lock the bolt to the rear and insert a cartridge directly into the chamber to load another round. You can shoot the firearm this way, but it's terribly inefficient. In fact, a dedicated single-shot rifle is faster and easier to fire than a magazine free AR-15. The only time where I could ever see this as being a practical thing to do is if you really need to shoot something but have no magazine or have a broken magazine. In that situation, you better get real good at shooting straight, because you'll be shooting slow.

James River Armory JRM-15

Why Is This Important to Know?

It's important you know that your rifle will fire with the magazine removed because of clearing. Clearing is the act of completely unloading the firearm and rendering it 'clear' of ammunition. The first step is to remove the magazine. The second step is to pull the charging handle to the rear and lock it to the rear. Then you can physically and visually inspect the chamber to ensure the firearm is truly clear. There has been more than one incident when a new gun owner removes the magazine but fails to clear the chamber. They have the wrong idea that removing the magazine renders the firearm clear. This results in negligent discharges, which could result in death, injury, and property damage.

Battle Arms Development Workhorse AR-15 Rifle

Boom

Knowing that your AR 15 can fire without a magazine is just one more piece of knowledge you can keep in your mental toolbox. It's important to know, as is every part of your rifle. Magazine-fed rifles rock, and they completely changed firearms technology. Using your AR without one is silly, but very possible. Shop All AR-15 Style Rifles
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