what tools do you need to build an ar15 lower
Edifice an AR15 has never been equally popular as it is now. The parts are readily bachelor and inexpensive, the know-how is readily bachelor, and of class, the process of building your own AR lets you customize information technology just the fashion you want.
And let's face it, building your ain burglarize can be fun.
Save coin, build your burglarize?
I'grand not sure that building a rifle saves money over but buying a 1 of good quality, and the reason is the tools. There are a few AR15 tools necessary to complete your build and others that are just squeamish to take to make the process easier, but those tools cost money. The higher quality tools tin price a lotof money, which can cutting into your build budget significantly.
At the aforementioned fourth dimension, the tools you lot need to build an AR15 are the same tools that you need to maintain an AR, and they're certainly not ane-utilize dispensable implements. This means that if you are actually going to shoot your rifle you'll likely demand these tools eventually. So the pragmatist in me thinks buying upfront makes some sense for the hard user.
I just finished edifice my outset rifle. I've been collecting the tools over time as I've needed to piece of work in the various rifles and pistols I already own. I'll detail out my build in some other commodity but today I want to talk about the 11 tools you'll demand and want to build your next AR15.
This article originally ran in December 2019.
AR15 tools to secure your work
There is naught worse than collecting all the parts for your epic build and then scratching or breaking your burglarize before y'all fifty-fifty become to shoot information technology because it wasn't secured properly. Keeping your pieces and parts solidly in identify is an important part of building an AR15. Having your lower and upper securely attached to your demote helps to brand sure you are able to attain proper torque specifications — which are important for the long term reliability of your carbine. A solidly held upper or lower volition also prevent your work from slipping, hitting the flooring and breaking, or losing parts. Finally, securing your AR15 properly provides you with a third hand to proceed your piece of work exactly where you want it so that you can focus on your task.
Earlier you start your build make sure you lot accept the AR15 tools y'all need for success.
1. Bench // 2. Bench Vice
To me, starting with the foundation makes sense. That foundation is a solid bench with a quality bench vice mounted securely to it. You don't need anything gun specific here. Whatever well congenital and versatile bench makes sense. You can build your own bench (which is what I did) or you can make the purchase at a big box store. The key here is to make sure your bench is sturdy. You are going to be torquing parts to 70 ft-lbs or better so your demote needs to be able to support it.
Your bench vice could also come up from the large box store and won't ready you back more than a hundred bucks. Making sure that it can exist solidly mounted to your demote is key. I prefer a vice that is bolted to the benchtop.
If you don't take the space for a dedicated workbench you could explore the possibility of a vice that clamps to a table or countertop. Exist aware that this option isn't as secure and if you aren't careful you could end up damaging your work and/or your mounting surface.
3A. Magpul BEV Block
BEV stands for Butt Extension Device and when clamped into your demote vice the BEV from Magpul gives you lot a secure place to mount your upper receiver. With the bolt carrier group removed, insert the BEV Block into the opening at the bottom of the upper. Slide the upper completely to the rear and insert the polymer pins into the upper and the BEV Block. So slide the commodities carrier into the dorsum of the upper until it engages past the O-ring on the BEV.
Once the upper is on the BEV you are ready to piece of work on your upper and install your butt, handguard, or muzzle device.
Y'all can flip the BEV Block over and slide your lower receiver magwell over information technology to work on your upper. The BEV Block acts line a PMAG with a steel insert to clamp in a vise. I utilize it with the upper facing up to install parts similar the trigger group and other small parts. And so I flip the lower over to install the grip.
3B. Geissele Automatics Reaction Rod
The BEV Block can handle it all, merely I use it primarily for supporting the lower. The Reaction Rod from Geissel is a far superior vice for the upper receiver. In one case the reaction rod is clamped into the vice, simply slide your upper over the tool. If the barrel is already installed the Reaction Rod will engage with the butt lugs. If not, installing the barrel is a peachy offset step. While the upper rotates freely on the rod engage the butt with the lugs on the rod. Mate the upper and the lower and and so snug your butt nut finger tight. Grab your barrel nut wrench and torque wrench and get to piece of work. Considering the Reaction Rod engages directly with the lugs of the barrel there is no torque introduced to the upper receiver at all. In my opinion, this profoundly reduces the likelihood of dissentious the upper.
The reaction rod besides has the reward of being able to concord the upper at many different angles. Information technology is like shooting fish in a barrel to rotate the upper around the rod when installing hand-baby-sit screws or installing rail sections.
Punches for the AR15
Punches are important tools for gunsmithing in general. Information technology makes sense to accept the right punches on hand for building an AR15. I have all of the punch sets below and I use them all, but I went a long time with only a skillful set of Grace brass punches. In fact, I recollect Grace punches are a practiced bet across the board.
4. Brass Hammer & Punches
If you tin simply afford ane set of punches, go with brass. Brass punches will go nigh of the piece of work washed that you need to practice in building an AR. The soft nature of contumely helps to reduce the damage y'all will practice to the terminate of your gun. Instead of destroying your work, you volition destroy the punches themselves.
So, the photo above shows the GRACE Us 17 Pc Gun Care Tool Fix In Nukaf Case. Every bit the company describes information technology, this is the set that "…was in your grandad'due south gun repair box." The brass pin punches are manufactured from high-quality CDA 360 hex brass rod and machine-turned and designed for critical work where non-marring and not-sparking are of importance. The ready has viii brass pin punches and an 8oz contumely hammer. This is only i example of the kind of punches I'1000 talking about, but you go the idea.
To avoid trashing your brass, you can spend some additional money and get the right punches for each job.
5. Steel Punch Set
There are times when a brass punch but won't cut it. I remember an episode trying to remove an A2 front sight from an S&W Yard&P xv. There wasn't a hammer big plenty and my punch shows the wear from the incident. When you demand a steel punch you need a steel punch.
6. Coil Pivot Starter Punch Set
Coil pin starter punches are a overnice addition to your AR gunsmithing tools. These punches are hollow and just the correct size to hold the curl pin that you lot need to install. They act every bit an additional set up of hands to get those pins started (which can keep yous from marring that Cerakote job y'all just paid for).
vii. Roll Pin Punch Prepare
These punches finish the chore of setting whorl pins. The shape of the tip helps to keep the punch engaged with the pin and then you don't scratch that receiver. They are too a clutch tool for removing curl pins without destroying the pin, the punch, or your work.
8. Center Punch
The proper staking of your castle nut is a key step in keeping your new AR-fifteen running long term. In my feel, the best style to make this happen is with a center punch. Get a fix, they are cheap insurance. In the photo in a higher place, you see some DASCO PRO Center punches. Co-ordinate to DP company, they have a precision basis indicate for making authentic pigsty starting easier. They're made of high carbon steel that has been estrus-treated and are to be used on metals softer than their signal.
Wrenches and Drivers
ix. Armorers Wrench
Whether y'all need to torque your castle nut or your butt nut, an armorers wrench is an of import tool. It'south hard to go wrong with Magpul'south wrench as it can do about all of it without breaking. It engages both stock and pivot-manner barrel nuts and works with a 1/two″ torque wrench.
It tin also open your beer.
ten. 1/two″ Torque Wrench
The Magpul armorers wrench has a handy square pigsty that allows you to adhere your ½" drive torque wrench. Most proprietary butt nuts come with a wrench that allows for the same. In that location is a reason for this: Torquing your build properly is of import to make sure it remains reliable and to ensure you don't go all Lincoln Militarist on your rifle parts.
You demand a torque wrench for your barrel nut and your castle nut. Become one. Apply it.
11. Interchangeable Tip Driver Set with Hex and Torx.
Like a brass dial set, a decent commuter set with a straight blade, Phillips, hex, and Torx brand a ton of sense for your build. Yous probably won't use the straight blade and Phillips tips for your AR, but they come in handy when working on lots of other guns. For this reason, buy a prepare specifically made for work on guns. The screw slot sizes and tips will match exactly, keeping y'all from scratching your equalizer.
For the AR, hex and Torx pits are key AR15 tools, especially when dealing with higher-end builds that have threaded bolt grab pins and when mounting optics.
Bonus #12, Detent Saver: AR15 Pivot Pivot Installation Tool
Those that have built an AR know that the trickiest role of the build is avoiding the launch of tiny detents and springs. I think the pivot pin install is the hardest of all to pull off without sending parts into orbit. This handy tool helps to capture the forepart takedown pin detent and leap in place so that the installation of the pin is much easier.
It isn't a necessary tool, but making the purchase is less frustrating than ordering a new detent…
Are You Headed Toward a New Hobby?
Shooting guns is a hobby. Building guns isn't role of that hobby. Instead, it is a whole new hobby that is loosely connected to the blasting.
There are tons of reasons to consider edifice your own AR. Make certain that when the scale tips to a green light on your start build you have the AR15 tools you need to make information technology happen. If you already own some ARs information technology makes sense to commencement collecting those tools at present so you can keep your gun running. If you are only getting into the AR game, at that place is no improve way to learn about the platform than building your own gun. Equally long as yous have the tools.
For those of you that have congenital rifles before, what am I missing? Exercise you have a favorite tool or an alternative to the armorers' tools I talked about here?
Share in the comments andhappy building!
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Source: https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/building-an-ar15-11-tools-youll-need/
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