Ideal AR Upper Receiver Tools & Techniques – Myth Unbusted

I do my best to answer questions when I have time. However, if your question was covered in the video, I am not going reply. This video explains things 100% better than a long typed up post will. Additionally, the comment section on YT is a poor place for technical discussions. We have numerous places to talk tech. Our Facebook Group, and SOTAR Society are the two of the best places to ask questions and discuss technical topics.

I will happily endorse the Wheeler Upper Receiver Action Rod as a starter tool. It can be had for about half the price of the Midwest Industries URR, money that can go towards other tools/chemicals/parts. Chad did mention the aluminum construction and breakage potential, but if you're starting off and (hopefully) being careful with your parts selections, tool usage, and torque application, the Wheeler will serve. For those that tinker or build in higher volume, spring for the Midwest. But for the folks doing only a few builds tops, the Wheeler should serve you well.

Would a half-inserted BGC work as a makeshift barrel alignment tool?

Did someone slip into the description that they believe Chad is a tool?

I've torn down and rebuilt four AR15s so far (upgrading my rifles and a friend's rifle) and I did not have that tool you used, and I am glad that I didn't cause any issues. Everything you say in this video makes logical sense, and it's only by luck that I managed to not damage or misalign anything when putting those rifles back together. Definitely going to get me one of those Midwest Industries tools before I do another barrel swap.

As a third generation gunsmith I approve of this video 100% and can attest to the Midwest being a rock solid URR !! Used it for years and is my go to for builds. Great video and well executed for people who want to understand why certain tools are used for certain things and why. Nice to see there are real gunsmiths/custom gun builders out there that still know what they’re talking about. There are too many people who spread disinformation or just plain don’t know what they’re doing anymore. Great job sir.

Excellent videos.

I've found its almost always operator error when it comes to stuff like this.

I can remember back when I first got into building ARs, when Keymod rails first came out, sitting cross-legged in my basement floor holding the upper between my legs and torquing the barrel nut with a massive adjustable wrench like a cave man.

That a AR has held up really well. The tools and methods absolutely were not ideal, but if you take your time and pay attention to what you're doing, you can make substandard tools work.

So yeah, get the good stuff if you can afford it, obviously. If you can't, go slow, pay close attention to what you're doing, and check and double check everything you do. You'll be just fine.

I've built a couple uppers (in 5.56 & 308) using the white (delrin?) plastic blocks before. I HAVE a clam-shell block, but have yet to use it. I honestly prefer reaction rods over anything else.

I had a click type torque wrench that got out of calibration and I found out the hard way how far off it was by breaking a head bolt. I had too mail it too a company that could recalibrate it and they said it was so far out it could not nbe recalibrated. So I now use beam type torque wrenches in all my work.

Cool, mais le système AR sera bientôt obsolète, vous verrez

I've been watching this channel for quite a few years now, and I cannot for the life of me figure out why it doesn't have far more subscribers!

The demo with the muzzle device and already-torqued barrel nut was particularly illustrative. Back in the day (before the reaction rods came on the scene) I installed a lot of muzzle devices with the barrel nut only torqued to 40 ft-lb using a DPMS upper receiver block similar to the white delrin one you showed. I got away with it, but probably due to dumb luck.

Very interesting. New subscriber, great channel.

I really wish I found this guy when I started building rifles.

Wow this was an incredible informative video thank you so much, I think I will have a new tool in my shopping cart soon !

Seems like the AR platform is way too delicate and over engineered compared to other simpler systems like the AK 47. Why continue to use a system that has so many issues when any part of the assembly is slightly out of spec?

Sooo for the people in the back of the class with the pointy hat on in the corner (me) is bev block alright for muzzle device to an extent or should i get a Midwest rod
Also i got a sigm400tread and eventually i might switch out the muzzle device should i attempt myself or send it to someone

glad to see the anti 2A YT hasn't removed you.

If you had none of your tools, and were to aquire them again over time, what tools would you buy first, next and so on? Or if you were to spend $like say a grand on tools, which would you get? limit to off the shelf. That would make a solid video.

Great video. A 2 Unique spud is on the way to me. I completely agree with you on the Geissele.

I always thought that barrel extension pinning to the barrel by index pin…

Hey Chad, before I spring for the Midwest URR…

Do you believe the Geissele Super Reaction Rod is a decent alternative due to the addition of the brass shims placing force on the ejection port/upper rather than the index pin? Thank you sir!

+

Now that is a smithbusting video!! The proof is in the pudding.

this guy is one of the best i’ve learned a lot already and ready to build my ar

Dude. Your channel is gold. You explain the concept, the physics, then demonstrate it clearly without being a snob about anything, shilling, or putting in useless fluff.

Thank you.

Great points here about how taking apart someone else’s work is different from doing your own bill from scratch and that ladder situation you can be more gentle and not screw things up, but you don’t know what if somebody else did theirs.

Good video though.

I don’t see how you’d not realize the clicking issue when putting the gas tube on.

Excellent,
Informative content. Thank you.

Thanks, Chad 👍