For a relatively simple firearm, there’s a bewildering array of tools available for the AR-15. Which ones should you have? Which ones are the best? If you just own an AR or two or several, you may not want to engage in all the research, trial and error, and expense to track down the best AR-15 tools. Good news: Brownells Gun Tech™ Caleb Savant, who has worked on his share of ARs, is here to save you a lot of money and time. After extensive “field testing” on many AR-15 projects, he tells us which tools he thinks are the best.
The Midwest Industries AR-15 Armorer’s Wrench is designed to accommodate some non-standard AR components. Its castle nut wrench is open, rather than fully enclosed, which is great for working on the older, larger-diameter pistol buffer tubes. Also, the muzzle device wrench works on muzzle devices that have thinner flats than the standard A2 flash suppressor. Plus, the MI tool has a nice heft and solid feel to it, which a good armorer’s wrench should have.
The Brownells AR-15 Bolt Catch Roll Pin Punch is ground flat on one side, so you can get at that bolt catch pin without marring the inside of the magazine well.
You need a good vise block to work on the lower. The Midwest Industries AR-15 Lower Receiver Block (AR-308 version also available) can be clamped in a vise or bolted permanently to your workbench. It also has a cutout for securing a pinned low-profile gas block while you punch the pins in or out.
Now, how do you safely secure the upper receiver in the vise? The Device Lite, from The Device Manufacturing, fully supports the upper receiver when you clamp it in your bench vise. The upper can’t move, and there’s no way the vise jaws can leave nasty bite marks on it. A slot in the bottom of The Device Lite helps you set up M-LOK® accessories for installation. Machined out of solid aluminum, The Device Lite is built to last as long as any of your AR-15s!
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Head over to the "Trigger Times" section of the webpage and click on this video for the full list and links to products!
Great Vid!
Brandon Herrera for director of the ATF.
Excellent work!
Caleb is legendary but he always sounds like hes about to start crying.
Will that wrench fit a dmps 308 free float barrel nut that has 22 holes
M72 law easter egg
Sooo, why is there a SMAW in the gunsafe?
Be a good idea to link to the products
Nice! Semper Fi
Midwest Reaction Rod. By far one of the most useful tools I have.
Aside from that, some of the old thin Tapco AR wrenches that were stamped out of sheet metal. Their ultra thin profile makes them super useful in installing muzzle devices that are close to the handguard.
Magpuls BEV Block and MI Armorers Wrench are two of my go to's. Can't go wrong with either. Especially MI's wrench, its easily at the head of the class.
Thank You your tips & tools help
I keep a dedicated carrier for use with my BEV block so I don't have to take apart an existing bcg. I have many Armorer's wrenches…except that one…and now I have to get a M.I. one!
Glad to see no real avid tools lol
I was hoping for your opinion on one of them bolt carrier group firing pin scrapers I'm still using elbow grease
Been wondering what armorers wrench to get, this MW one was on my list. Thanks for the heads up.
Got the Brownells vise block set. I have been very happy with it. The lower block goes into the mag well from top or bottom. The upper clamp and insert hold more than the wood clamp vise being used. The only thing to watch out for, is the clamp can bite a finger on the back side.
Why might you use that upper receiver tool over a reaction rod that interfaces with the barrel?
So what is the advantage to buying the heavy vs the light weight upper device?
No Reaction Rod?
Punch kit and small torque tool I'd add
Good video!!
Sweet tools!
Midwest industries urr is 🤌