Field strip, or “field stripping,” refers to the disassembly of a firearm into its component parts without the use of (armorer) tools. On semi-automatic handguns, this usually refers to removing the slide, recoil spring, and barrel using the takedown lever and removing the magazine. On AR-style, semi-automatic rifles this includes separating the upper and lower receivers by disengaging the takedown pins and removing the magazine, bolt, carrier group, and charging handle. Field stripping allows the shooter to clean and maintain their firearm and separate key parts to diagnose any malfunctions.