How an AR-15 Works

A 3D animation showing how an AR-15 works. Cinema 4D was used to create each individual part, as well as animating everything. Corona renderer was used for final output of lighting and textures.

Special thanks to Anar Akberli for his help with modeling the bolt carrier assembly!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:15 Ammunition Loading
0:58 Bolt Locking
1:37 Forward Assist
1:56 Firing Sequence
2:58 Extraction & Ejection
3:16 Hammer Reset / Cartridge Feed
3:48 Trigger Reset
4:00 Auto Fire
4:58 Burst Fire
6:22 Bolt Catch
6:40 Sights
7:33 Adjustable Stock
7:50 Ejection Port Cover
8:09 Credits

These animations take considerable time and resources to make, often taking 6+ months to produce. Redistribution of my 3D animations is not permitted without first contacting me for instructions and options.

[bighaverlegend]

“Excuse me sir it’s one sample per perso-“

2:08

[JaredOwen]

Nobody does gun animations like Matt Rittman! Love it

[clydemarshall]

This is quite possibly the best demonstration of how the AR-15 system functions that I have ever seen. This will make an outstanding teaching tool.

[Kevinschart]

i don't own a gun but i'm fascinated with the mechanical operations within. this is pure engineering genius

[IRUKANJI]

A 60+ year old design and it still looks like the future.

[playforge]

As a 3D artist and animator I just have to show a profound appreciation for the quality of this video. As an army veteran, I have to express an admiration for the deep understanding of this weapon system that this video’s creator displays. This is unarguably one of the best educational videos on the internet for the armalite rifle design… if not the best…

[thefreestate]

Any owner of any firearm should watch these animations. It’s important, dare I say critical to understand how a firearm you own operates.

[aceface]

As someone who was raised in a firearm-free environment and now interested in getting into the rabbit hole of firearms knowledge, this series of animations is exactly what I've been looking for. Really excellent stuff that makes all the mechanical details easy to understand.

[jmnypop]

Let us admire at 2:17 the miniscule rebound of the hammer and firing pin. He didn't have to animate that, probably very few people noticed it, but man it's these little touches that elevate this to an incredible degree.

[sleepdeep]

I had no idea burst modes are achieved purely mechanically. That is very cool.

[Tristan-ofcl]

Don't forget it weighs as heavy as "10 boxes you might be carrying" and "fires 50 BMG rounds" XD

[PartOfTheGame]

This is by far the most informative animation of an AR-15 I've ever seen.

[bluzzjazz]

This is by far the best animated presentation of the mechanical operation of how an AR-15 functions.

[wertsew]

2:25 : I'm sorry sir, we don't have any McChicken right now

[konceptochannel]

I am a motion designer and can only say your work is so delicate and well crafted.
The visuals and narration of this video is magnificent. I knew nothing about guns and I have learned so much just by watching your videos.
This should be used in military training, if it isn't alrady. Just saying.
Excellent work!

[frbspdb]

2:33 "Teacher, you forgot to give us a homew..."

[sun]

2:17 - "What are you doing in my hou-"

[neilreid]

Eugene Stoner was a genius to sort all this out. Love my AR's.

[slayemin]

The engineering that went into this is very impressive.

[burnyburnoutzend]

This video is unironically a million times better than every attempt the Canadian Forces has done to show how the C7 (our variant of the M16/AR-15) works, not only being technically superior on every level, but in a way which is fascinating and genuinely captures ones attention. Its very easy for a video of this type to be dull. Great job!