If you’re looking to build or customize a rifle that looks and shoots exactly how you want it to, you’re not going to find a better gun than the AR-15. With a seemingly endless supply of upgrades at your fingertips, modding or building your AR-15 from the ground up has never been easier.
For the most part, modding or building your AR-15 from the ground up is relatively simple and straightforward. And best of all, most of the tools needed for the job are probably lying around in your toolbox already.
And if this your first time building an AR-15, make sure to take a look at our list of essential gunsmithing tools to see if you’ve got everything to get started.
Today, we’re going to look at…
- Vise blocks
- Pin punches
- Wrenches
- Tool kits
- Screw kits
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the best AR-15 build tools designed to make gunsmithing easy and convenient.
Brownells Upper and Lower Vise Blocks
When assembling your AR-15, it’s important that you use vise blocks to clamp your receiver halves together without damaging or distorting your upper and lower receiver.
There are a number of different vise blocks available on the market, but the advantage of going with Brownells is that you’re able to get two high quality products without having to pay an exorbitant amount of money.
The lower vise block will run you about $50, while the upper receiver block costs roughly $60. Brownells also has the two vise blocks available together for $80, which is a hell of a mark down if you want the pair.
Brownells Upper and Lower Receiver Vise Block Set
Both blocks are made from a heavy duty urethane plastic that’s strong enough to withstand pressure from your bench vise while also keeping your upper and lower receiver protected from damage.
Sporting Conversions Takedown Pin Tool
A takedown pin tool is built form a heavy duty plastic that’s strong enough to remove takedown pins without damaging your gun. It’s also helpful for installing your magazine catch without marring or scuffing up your lower receiver’s metal, because it lets you push the mag release back far enough so that you’re able to install your mag catch without any issues.
Rock River Arms AR-15 Stock Wrench
The stock wrench is a basic spanner tool designed to make tightening and loosening castle nuts on your receiver quick and convenient. The wrench is created to give a firm grip on the nut in three places, making it easier to exercise control over the nut without causing any damage.
Rock River Arms AR-15 Stock Wrench
The Stock Wrench is a pretty straightforward tool, so don’t expect any fancy gadgets to be included. The tool serves only one purpose, but it’s its convenient size and non-slip rubber handle make it better for tightening and loosening nuts than a regular spanner.
Plus, it makes a great lightweight tool to carry around in your range bag.
Brownells AR-15 Armorer’s Wrench
Know how the Stock Wrench was a purely functional gunsmithing tool designed to get the job done more easily? Well, if you’re not about living that minimalist lifestyle and want the Swiss Army Knife of wrenches, the AR-15 Armorer’s Wrench is right up your alley.
As you can see, this wrench is significantly thicker than the Stock Wrench. That’s because the Armorer’s Wrench is built for work. This heavy duty tool is strong enough to withstand heavy use without breaking or bending, but is delicate enough to protect your gun from scuffs and scratches while handling stock and pin-style barrel nuts.
Magpul AR-15 Armorer’s Wrench
The Magpul Armorer’s Wrench is for when you want the Cadillac of spanners.
Magpul AR-15 Armorer’s Wrench
This sturdy wrench is designed to maximize grip and comfort. Just like the other armorer’s wrench, it works with both pin and stock-style barrel nuts, is compatible with standard-sized muzzle suppressors, and is able to tightly grasp castle nuts without causing damage to the nut.
Oh, and you can also open bottle caps with it, which is great for cracking open a cold one after you finish working on your build.
Overall, when it comes to armorer’s wrenches, it’s the quality and durability that makes the Magpul wrench stand out from the rest. You can expect to put this thing to endless work with numerous builds without issue.
Brownells AR-15 Critical Tools Kit
The critical tools kit is perfect for the first-time gunsmith who has taken an interest in learning how to build or modify their AR-15.
Just like its name suggests, the critical tools kit come with all of the essential tools that you will need in order to work on your rifle, such as…
- Brownell’s AR-15 armorer’s wrench
- A lower receiver vise block
- An upper receiver action vise block
- Two pivot pin tools
- A pin punch for your bolt catch
What really makes this tool kit awesome is its value. For less than $100, you get a premium set of tools that will help you get started with your build. That’s cheaper than most people will pay just for the two vise blocks!
Wheeler Engineering Delta Series AR-15 Ultra Armorer’s Kit
If you’re looking for everything you could possibly need in a gunsmithing toolbox Wheeler Engineering’s Ultra Armorer’s Kit has got you covered.
Wheeler Engineering Delta Series AR-15 Ultra Armorer’s Kit
This heavy duty tool kit is filled with literally everything you need to build, modify, or maintain your AR-15. In fact, one of the selling points of this kit is that it enables you to perform more than 50 different types of operations when working on your AR-15.
The kit comes with a number of useful tools, including:
- A bench vise for your AR-15
- Vise blocks for your upper and lower receiver
- Combo tool for torqueing and tightening nuts
- Pivot and roll pin installation tool
- A workplace mat to keep your AR-15 parts protected
- Delta ring tool
- Bore guide
- Bolt carrier, bore, chamber, and magazine brushes
- Custom carry case for your tools
As you can see, the Ultra Armorer’s Kit is one of the most comprehensive set of gunsmithing tool sets on the market. All of the tools are built with to be durable and easy to use, and are able to withstand heavy usage without any problems.
Wheeler Engineering AR-15 Armorer’s Essential Kit
If you don’t want to spend nearly 300 bucks on gunsmithing tools, but you still want to make sure that you’ve got everything you need to start your AR-15 build, Wheeler’s Essential Kit might be right for you.
This tool set is perfect for beginners and for people who’ve got some gunsmithing tools lying around already. It comes with all of the heavy duty instruments that you need to build your AR-15 or modify the one you’ve already got.
Wheeler Engineering AR-15 Armorer’s Essential Kit
Each kit includes the following items:
- An AR-15 combo tool for different types of bolts
- A torque wrench
- Vise blocks for your upper and lower receivers
- Pivot and roll pin instillation tools
Additionally, the tool set also comes with a durable bag to carry around your tools and keep them protected from the elements. And while the Essential Kit isn’t quite as comprehensive as the Ultra toolset, its tools are made with the same heavy duty design that’s built for longevity and maximum usage.
Multitasker Twist AR-15 Tool
The multitasker twist tool is a screwdriver multi-tool designed to help make maintenance and optics adjustments quick and easy. This compact tool is the size of a pen, making it easy to carry around in your pocket or in your range back.
Multitasker Twist AR-15 Tool
Features include:
- 10 different bit heads
- Adjuster for your Aimpoint sight
- 3/32” pin punch
- Pocket clip
While not a necessity for building your AR-15, this tool certainly is handy you’re trying to clean or adjust sights. The tool also comes in a sleek black finish, but for about $10 more, you can get a desert camouflage tool instead.
Don’t Forget to Have Fun
Whelp, that’s our list of best AR-15 build tools to help you get started with your rifle.
As you can see, building or modding your AR-15 is a complex process. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to come up with a tool checklist before starting your build. That way, you don’t have to worry about stopping midway just because you forgot to buy a pin punch set or something.
Also, if you’d like to learn more about building your first AR-15, Glock, or a variety of other popular guns, make sure to check out our build guides to learn a little but about gunsmithing.
The post Unpacking Our Best AR-15 Build Tools to Help You Get Started appeared first on Pew Pew Tactical.
via Pew Pew Tactical
Unpacking Our Best AR-15 Build Tools to Help You Get Started