Chad Albrecht from School of the American Rifle highlights a wide variety of AR-15 Reaction-style rods. For more information about School of the American Rifle visit
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I’m trying to get a flash hider off and can’t keep the barrel from spinning. Will a reaction rod help me? Or is it sketchy?
So…..four of my five AR’s will not take the Midwest into “battery.” Does this mean those barrels should be reinstalled? These rifles are fairly low round count, but I don’t see any obvious damage.
Would it be ok to use a reaction rod just for muzzle devices
I was on way to buy the Real Avid one (here in Europe, it's not too difficult to find it, like the Geissele one), but thanks to your vid, I will get the Midwest one, even if it's not easy here !
Thanks again đź‘Ť
The Midwest rod came in today. 4 of my 6 uppers will not fully seat. 2 of the 4 that do not seat were “factory built” and function/cycle ammo just fine. I’m at a loss as to where to begin.
Can the Midwest upper receiver rod be used to wrench on a barrel and nut ?
The rod was not meant to install barrel nut, it is intended to take torq off installing muzzle devices. Upper vise block is better for installing barrel nut.
Awesome video
I'm assuming the geissele version can be used with 556 rifles/pistols other than AR's as well?
Just got the Midwest URR in today and 6/8 of my uppers must have barrel extension/upper receiver timing issue because the lugs would not engage with the barrel extension…. These are all factory assembled uppers from BCM, Black Rain Ordnance, and S&W…. However when I check engagement with a BCG to check gas tube alignment and lug alignment, everything appears to be working as it should. Milspec ARs are built with tolerances to allow function without 100% perfect timing but it still bothers me. Now I’m contemplating stripping out all of these uppers and indexing with the Midwest URR….. hopefully it’s not a huge deal but I’m not a gunsmith
2:57 that part was gold! Thanks for the info. I think Geissele started the innovation and others made it better.
I have never built an AR pistol but I love the knowledge that is shared on this channel. The presentation style is very professional, the narrative is very well thought out and the close ups provide us with exceptional details. Very nicely done.
Anybody know which would be the correct fit for a patriot ordinance factory 308 revolution …. they claim its a ar15 reciever and bolt . So I'm thinking ar10 308 size won't fit????
Just found this video today and ordered the 2 Unique spud. On sale for 175. Happy to support a small independent machine shop! Thanks for the video and great info!
30-80 is a wide spread
Good info! I will get the Midwest Industries brand. Thanks!
After watching this I ordered the midwest brand .it arrived today ,great product ,well worth the price .I came back to your channel and subscribed to follow your future videos on ar platform. thank you for being so clear and honest with your opinions ,you directed me towards the best choice .
I just bought the Geissele. Should have seen this first.
Recently twisted the steel spline out of the aluminum Wheeler while removing a very stubborn barrel nut from a side-charging receiver. The carrier key channel narrows at the rear of the side-charging upper so the sail had to be removed. None of the gun parts were damaged, but the fixture was ruined, which affirms the utility of the sail. To be fair, the Wheeler stood up okay through lots of use on normal uppers before this special case.
Aluminum reaction rod is not going to tear up the inner end of the barrel. Steel against steel … well think about it
$150 for the MI or $40 for the KZ (.308)…I'll take my chances with the KZ and save $110. Upper receivers are fairly cheap, and in the slim chance that I would break one. Just sayin'.
I had no idea there were so many different reaction rods. Very informative. Thanks!
What is the correct technical classification for this group of tools? Would you call them all reaction rods? It seems like that could be misleading since Geissele's product is named the Reaction Rod. Reaction-style rods seems wrong too for some reason. Barrel rods maybe?
liked, subbed, glad i didn't go with the geissele and bought the Midwest industries