AR-15 Upper Build Tools and Tips

AR-15 upper build tools & instructional videos:

For torquing barrel nuts and muzzle devices:
– Midwest Industries Upper Receiver Rod (# MIURR) ($80) or Magpul Bev Block (# MAG536) ($30) (good for uppers too tight for MIURR)

For general upper use (installing barrels into thermofit uppers, fwd assist, etc.):
– Wheeler Upper Vice Block (# 156888) ($32)

For general lower & upper use (installing gas tube roll pin, securing the lower, etc.):
– Midwest Industries Lower Receiver Block (# MILRB) ($25)

Barrel Nut Wrench:
– For barrel nuts that use a castle nut pattern use Armorer’s wrench
– For barrel nuts that use a proprietary pattern your handguard should come with a wrench

Roll pin punches:
– Grace USA 7 Piece Steel Roll Spring Punch Set (# GRRS7) ($25)
– Grace USA 5 Piece Roll Spring (Pin) Holder Set (# JYGRRSH5) ($34)

Hammers:
– Marketty 4 in 1 Gunsmithing Hammer ($15) or Real Avid 4-in-1 Gunsmithing Hammer ($20)

Armorer’s wrench:
– Magpul Armorer’s Wrench (# MAG535) ($55) or Midwest Industries MI-ARAW Armorers Wrench (# MIARAW) ($55)

Torque Wrench:
– EP Auto ½” Drive Click Torque Wrench ($33)

Misc:
– Wheeler Fat Wrench In-lb Torque Wrench (# 553556) ($55) (for torquing screws for handguards, gas blocks, etc.)
– Sinclair AR-15 Bolt Vice (for removing ejector from bolt) (# 14950) ($25)

Optional (for installing/removing barrels in thermofit uppers, heat upper threads on high for ~30-60 secs):
– 1”x12” Wooden Dial Rod ($10)
– 16oz Rubber Mallet ($12)
– Warrior 1500 W Heat gun ($20 at Harbor Freight)
– Brownells Upper Receiver Lapping Tool ($30)
– Loctite 620 (for bedding barrels ($18)

Total cost: $251 (least expensive options and no optional tools) or $475 (most expensive options and all optional tools)

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Other Instructional videos:
@JPRifles on how to install barrels in thermofit uppers

@SchooloftheAmericanRifle Upper Receiver Tools & Techniques

​⁨@SchooloftheAmericanRifle⁩ When/where to use assembly grease/aeroshell:

Thread lockers and grease:
– Aeroshell 64 (for preventing different metals from galvanizing together, used on castle nut threads, barrel nut threads, etc.)

For gas block screws:
– Loctite 246 (high temp/oil resistant) or Rocksett

For muzzle devices/suppressor mounts:
– Rocksett

For grip screws, scope bases, etc.:
– Vibra-tite VC-3

#arbuild #upperreceiver #upperbuild