Home AR-15 Quick Tip: Why Your AR-15 Has a Dust Cover

Quick Tip: Why Your AR-15 Has a Dust Cover

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Brownells Gun Tech™ Caleb Savant gives up a little love for one of the least-understood parts of the AR-15 rifle. No, he’s already explained the forward assist…. We’re talking about the DUST COVER over the ejection port! The dust cover is there to prevent dirt, debris, and dust from getting into the firearm’s action while you’re carrying it or transporting it. When you’re actually shooting the rifle, the force of the ejection gases will keep dust and dirt out of the action. The military needs the dust cover on their M16s and M4s because of the dusty environments they may be operating in, like Iraq and Afghanistan. The semi-auto AR-15 is not the exact same gun, but it does have an exposed bolt carrier, too, hence a dust cover is included on most civilian ARs. For sport and competition AR-15 shooters, the dust cover is probably not strictly necessary. But it’s there if you need it. In fact, the Kalashnikov AK-47 / AK-74 series of rifles actually has TWO dust covers, one on top of the receiver and the selector lever actually serves as a dust cover.

Check out our earlier Smyth Busters video, “Is the AR-15’s Dust Cover Really Necessary?”

And if we’ve stimulated your interest, “Does the AR-15 REALLY Need a Forward Assist?”

NOTE: The products in this video are to be used only for lawful purposes, including hunting, self-defense, collecting, and competitive or recreational shooting. If you purchase any of them, you are responsible for understanding and complying with all federal, state, and local laws that apply to the purchase, possession, and use of these products.

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29 COMMENTS

  1. Why would anyone not want a dust cover?? It really came in handy in the Yuma, AZ desert, even inside a vehicle. In fact, we issued a plastic flash suppressor cover to further prevent the ingress of dust an dirt.

  2. My Army days pre-date our nation building in the Middle East by a lot of years but I ate a whole lot of desert southwest sand from Ft. Bliss to NTC to 29 Palms. You learn quickly how much lube is enough and yeah, it’s a DUST COVER. 😂 hilarious!

  3. It’s really sad that Brownells has to explain the function of a dust cover. If you are too dumb and ignorant to realize the purpose of a dust cover, you have no business owning a firearm.

  4. That handgaurd looks a lot like the Midwest industries gan4 but it says brownells on it. Is that just a MI with the brownells logo or did Brownells do a copy. If it costs less or weighs less I would definitely buy it. Does anyone know the answers to my curiosity’s

  5. Conclusion : Its depend on the role of your gun
    Yes. you need a dust cover if you deploy in combat and maybe drag your rifle around a desert or jungle.
    No. you dont need a dust cover if you only shooting in the range for fun or lighten some weight for ipsc or what ever.

  6. Media: genZ is so smart!
    Also the media: genZ, please stop eating detergent and don't boil chicken in NyQuil.
    Caleb: the dust cover is for dust
    GenZ: words are violence and I don't feel safe around people who disagree with me!

  7. People that don't see the logic in a dust cover for their AR-15 probably shouldn't own one. Obviously the action of the gun the bolt carrier group is a area that you would want to keep as clean as possible. The dust cover is a little added protection to help make sure your gun is going to work when you really need it to.

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