AR-15 Armorer’s Tools
BY Herschel Smith4 years, 5 months ago
Gun News Daily has an interesting list of recommended AR-15 armorer’s tools, including Brownell’s armorer’s wrench, and others.
I’ve used a Magpul castle nut wrench before, and it’s very good. The Starrett pin punch set looks interesting, and especially interesting is the Wheeler Engineering AR-15 armorer’s set.
Do any readers have good recommendations for others, or perhaps having worked with these, do you have preferred tools? I know that Brownell’s has a full AR-15 armorer’s kit.
On November 12, 2019 at 12:10 am, George said:
I find the Magpul bev block a good tool for working on lowers. Real Avid makes a good upper vise block. These are a necessity for me. I have a set of the Starrett punches. They are good quality. I did break one once but old guys break things. You also need some good roll pin punches. The ones I have are the Wheeler brand.
Several companies make trigger fitting pins. I have found they make life easier. A good armorers wrench like the magpul is needed. A good crows feet wrench set is good for a good number of the modern barrel nuts to use with your torque wrench. However depending on the brand some barrel nuts need the manufacturers wrench solution to install/work on.
You need a good vise first and foremost. I used to use a cheap one with predictable results. You also need a good bench to put the vise on. I made one as I could not find a sturdy enough one at a reasonable price. The bench needs to be heavy.
And. Buy the little two piece tool to install the front take down pin. I can’t tell you how many springs and detents I have launched.
On November 12, 2019 at 2:13 am, Nosmo said:
I’ll second the motion on George’s list, plus a couple. Vise: buy bigger. Yes, vises can rotate, but sometimes it’s handy to be able to hold the magwell block in both directions. Reinforce the bench top where the vise attaches to eliminate flexing. Bench: Not just heavy, but bigger, and clean it off. Having clear space to lay out parts in sequence of installation is extremely handy, and a light colored bench top helps. Bench block: Buy 2, maybe 3, and glue & screw your 2nd (and third, if you want to use the other side) to a round plywood disk, at least 7″ diameter, not over 10″. It’s handy to be able to clamp the block to the bench top, although a non-skid rubber mat under the block works almost as well, except most of those are black. Punches: a set of extra long punches comes in real handy. Light: Brighter and well diffused is better. a LOT better. Home Depot has a $99 high bay LED that’s 18K lumens with a good diffuser. I’ll +1 his suggestion on the Real Avid AR-15 pivot pin tool; it’s $10 and $10 has never been better spent. Buy a spare so you’ll never be without (like George, I was seeding my concrete floor with detent pins and springs before the Avid tool. None ever took root and produced more detent pins, so buy the Avid, and start nagging them to make one for AR-10s).
On November 12, 2019 at 5:58 am, ambiguousfrog said:
I have this and like it somewhat. There will be some negatives for some but i felt the need and if i have access to nothing else.
https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/activity/serve/serve-collection/short-stack-30-001113
On November 12, 2019 at 6:39 am, Jack said:
If you work on alot AR’zzz, especially your Cheap Friends ones…
you may find you need more than one wrench.
Not all barrel nuts are created equal.
That’s been my experience.
On November 12, 2019 at 9:19 am, James said:
The Geissele AR-15 Reaction Rod, the best barreling upper receiver mount I’ve found so far.
https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/rifle-tools/barrel-tools/ar-15-m16-reaction-rod-prod55168.aspx
On November 12, 2019 at 11:57 am, Badger said:
A punch set is a good choice. I didn’t see specifically listed in the punch set a 1/8″ roll-pin punch and, of all the sizes, you want one of those. lI have found the old DPMS armorer’s tool to be quite good, and a good bargain. Many of these things are not really needed for op-level maintenance but since AR’s a like Legos for gun guys building/customizing is the thing. If you’re assembling a lower, one thing that will make your day is a clevis pin from the hardware store for install of the pivot pin. The use and description of this clevis pin (now tool) is here & better than my description of its use:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=147&v=M7DrFEDw3ow
One of those things that can make your day.
On November 12, 2019 at 4:06 pm, Ratus said:
I like the Obsidian Arms AR-15 Armorer’s Punch Set from Brownells.
I also recommend the Magpul Bev block and wrench.
The Wheeler Engineering AR-15 Bench Block is pretty good so far.
On November 12, 2019 at 9:29 pm, Jeffersonian said:
Walt’s Tool for starting the bolt catch pin:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019522361
It also works well for the gas tube pin in the gas block.
There should be Related Products for the roll pin punch at that link.