AR 15 Build and repair tools

[breakingcontact]

Im not new to ARs but have never built one from scratch nor done anything more than minor work on them.

What tools do you recommend to build one from scratch and to completely rebuild one? If you have specific recommendations on brands/models of tools that is very helpful.

I have:

Nylon/rubber hammer
Punch set
Roll pin punch set
Bench vise

 

[boom boom]

I have found the following useful as AR specific tools.

Peace River or Wheeler receiver block holder for vise--removal of barrel nut and changing barrels with an alignment tool for gas tube (at least wheeler has it).

Barrel vise blocks are nice for gas port and front sight installation.

There is a special bench block for installs of AR front sight/gas blocks with proper holes for the tapered pins removal. Nice to have if you are going the military route instead of optics only flat tops.

Headspace gauges if you are buying the barrel and bolt separately.

Cleaning kit for AR-15 specifically.

Geissle has a neat tool for starting gas block retaining pins that is also relatively cheap.

May need a separate stock wrench for tightening and removing stock castle nuts.

Barrel wrench of some sort for the barrel nut--if going free floating then get a wrench that works for the handguard that you will be installing.

Ditto for snap ring pliers for the delta ring assembly removal and installation. Free floats do not use delta rings so if you are going this route then forget the snap ring pliers.

Gas tube pliers if you are doing a bunch installs and changes--if only a few simply get a new gas tube or very carefully remove the old one.

Allen wrenches are useful for accessories--T handle are generally easier to use.

Torque wrenches generally are not needed given the wide variance in the AR15 specs but are nice to have. Cheapos are fine here +-5 lbs is not a big deal.

I am a return to the AR platform but have a fair amount of experience in basic home smithing on bolts and handguns including barrel changes, headspacing, etc. I found that you can get by with a lot of std smithing tools with the AR platform but the specialized tools make it much easier.

 

[carbine85]

You really need the receiver blocks for the upper and lower, AR multi-tool, mag well block and a torque wrench. You can build must AR set ups with these. Compared to AK tools these are cheap.
If you don't use these tools you stand a good chance of damaging the receivers.

 

[taliv]

these days, it really depends on what stock and what handguard you intend to use.

for standard colt m4 pattern, there's a hammerhead wrench that has just about everything you need on it. the multitasker people make an AR15 version that has almost everything you need and will fit in your pocket. i've found that pretty dang handy in the field sometimes, but it's not as nice as real tools when you're at home at your bench.

for assembling, assuming you have a small hammer, screwdriver, punch set, wrenches, etc the only specialty tools would be for whatever barrel nut you use (depends on the handguard) and whatever holds your action extension (buffer tube) on, which depends on your stock.

a block that holds the upper action in a vice without crushing it is pretty dang handy. the ones that use the pivot and takedown holes are good for everything except torquing the barrel nut.

as was said above, having the right tools makes it a whole lot easier and less likely to scuff your finish, etc. but most people get by without them

 

[Hookeye]

FSB bench block.
Upper receiver dual pin block for vise (no problems with barrel torquing to spec, but have yet to really have one needing top end crank).
Good barrel nut wrench.
Solid bench
Brass punches
Small hammer (I use an old Craftsman Ball Peen- proly done 30 or more AR's with it - and other stuff).
Decent roll of masking tape- makes a quick and dirty bench block, plus I use a few strips of it when putting in the bolt release pin- keeps receiver from getting dinged).
Snap ring pliers if going the delta ring route- even cheap Harbor Freight ones work (on sale this weekend for $4).
Might want a 4-40 tap.......to thread the rear take down detent hole. Can run a set screw there to trap the goodies, so you don't have to worry about stuff going bye bye if you change stocks.