TOOLS NEEDED FOR AR-15 BUILD?

[fmnnc]

I'm getting ready to build my first AR-15 and would like some input as to the tools needed to do the job right. Brownell's offers a TOOL KIT FOR AR-15/M16/M4 to the tune of $929. Needless to say I'm not excited about putting out that type of money however as I am a shop teacher I believe in having the right tool for the job. Some tools I already have and others I'm not sure if they are needed for the AR-15 build or the M-16, or M4. Below is a list of tools I've taken from the kit.

Which ones can I eliminate (if any) and still have the right tools for the job?

080-216-010 AR15/M16 PIVOT PIN DETENT DEPRESSOR
080-216-012 AR-15/M16 BOLT CATCH PIN PUNCH
080-216-013 AR15/M16 FIRING PIN PROTRUSION GAUGE
080-216-014 AR15/M16 BARREL NUT ALIGNMENT GAUGE
080-216-015 BROWNELLS AR15/M16 COMBINATION WRENCH
080-216-050 AR15/M16 ALLEN BIT SET
080-430-400 RED. MAGNA-TIP BIT
080-430-430 L/B MAGNA-TIP BIT
080-445-655 #445-6 BIT
080-685-000 BROWNELL ROLL PIN HOLDERS, SET OF 5
230-112-105 ROLL PIN PUNCH KIT FOR AR-15/M16 KIT
319-418-033 COLT 5.56MM H'SPACE GAUGE FIELD (.223)
358-128-316 PROF. ASSEMBLY/DISASSEMBLY MAT, SMALL
531-460-000 46000 SNAP RING PLIERS
531-462-500 46250 REPL. TIPS, 4 PR SET
795-015-100 TL-05 AR-15 BARREL VISE JAWS
818-600-343 126034 3/4" PLASTIC/BRASS HAMMER
827-512-820 51282 STARRETT 5/32" CENTER PUNCH
827-525-800 52580 565 PIN PUNCH, 1/8"
827-525-840 52584 565 PIN PUNCH, 1/4"
827-530-320 AR-15/M-16 TAPER PIN STARTER #53031
956-000-001 20543 BALL PIEN HAMMER, FIBERGLASS HDL

Thanks!

 

[Jimmie]

They'd sell you a bridge, too, I'm sure.

http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782

 

[carnaby]

The only tools I needed for a complete build, nothing assembled except the barrel extension and the bolt carrier/gas key:

Vice
action block
barrel wrench
hand guard nut spanner
hammer
vice grips
ar-15 firing pin
400 grit sandpaper (to fit the gas block)
screwdriver

That's it.

 

[Onmilo]

I find it ironic that folks will mention building AR 15 rifles with hammers and vice grips and other posters will complain how their AR15 never seems to work properly!!??

I build rifles that are used by Police officers and tactical and match target shooters.
I use the correct tools and the weapons rarely fail and when they do it is because of neglect, not improper assembly.
The rifles I build do not feature scratches and chewed up surfaces either.



You can put a quality set of tools together for about $250.00
Brownells kit includes an unneccessary unneeded, too expensive $500.00 Mil-spec toolbox.

 

[carnaby]

My AR works great. I've never had a failure.

An AR is a pretty dirt simple mechanism and there's not much to putting one together properly.

 

[BBBBill]

I find it ironic that folks will mention building AR 15 rifles with hammers and vice grips and other posters will complain how their AR15 never seems to work properly!!?? ...

Bingo!!!

...I use the correct tools and the weapons rarely fail and when they do it is because of neglect, not improper assembly.
The rifles I build do not feature scratches and chewed up surfaces either. ...You can put a quality set of tools together for about $250.00. ...

Truer words were never spoken.

 

[Chris Rhines]

You'll want:

- A sturdy workbench with a sturdy vise, solidly attached
- Lower and upper reciever blocks*
- Roll pin holders and punches
- Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
- Solid pin punches, including a steel tapered punch for the FSB pins
- Hammer with a non-marring face
- Barrel nut wrench*
- Castle nut wrench, for installing collapsable stock buffer extensions*
- Thin strips of brass or aluminum sheet, for installing the front pivot pin detent
- Handguard removal tool, make one yourself from 3/16" steel rod (http://quartz2.cyberstation.net/~dwpaul/hgrt.htm)
- Loctite 243 (blue) and 262 (red, permanant)

Anything marked with an astreisk is a firearm-specific tool and will probably have to be sourced from Brownells or Midway USA. The rest of the stuff can be had at any well-stocked hardware store. The total cost shouldn't run over $200, not counting the workbench.

You can certainly get by with less, and I didn't include a few tools that I find useful (staking punches or MOACKS, extended trigger pins, headspace gauges, lathe with threading attachments ) but the above list will let you put together an AR from a parts kit with a minimum of headache.

- Chris

 

[fmnnc]

Thanks for the input gentlemen. A special thanks to ONMILO for the picture as well as Chris Rines and BBBBill. We all seem to be on the same page.

I'll be getting my order together in two parts. One this week that will carry me throught the lower receiver and buttstock assembly then a final order next month to complete the project.

Thanks once more for all of the input! Again, nice picture Onmilo!

 

[carnaby]

Well, the other part is that I'm on a budget and the super simple route is the only way I could go for my first AR. Some day I'll be able to afford a tool set like that, but not now.