Is there a kit that can be purchased of tools that are needed to build an AR?  If not, what is needed, other than a vise?

I don't know about a kit, but you need a torque wrench, 2 pin punches, an armorer's wrench, brass/ polymer hammer, and an upper vice block. I have the Magpul upper vice thing and armorer's wrench and they are awesome.

 

Hand guards that don't use the standard barrel nut will probably require a different wrench, but you still need the torque wrench. Most will come with the proprietary wrench.

If you get an armor's wrench and a vice block, then the rest can be accomplished with standard tools.  Hammer, pliers, punch, drift, screwdriver, tweezers, utility knife, allen key set.  Think that's about it. 

Yup, just like vicious says nothing special at all except for the wrench and the block. I use these two. 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/123930/pri-barrel-nut-wrench-ar-15

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/210021/wheeler-engineering-delta-series-upper-receiver-vise-block-clamp-ar-15

and don't forget the 90 degree rule as seen here

 

 

Cabela's has a nice all inclusive kit and it's on sale. http://www.cabelas.com/product/WHEELER-AR-ARMORERS-KIT/2344370.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dar%2Barmorers%26CQ_st%3Db

Sorry tbill I guess we posted at the same time. 

Also don't forget to grease up the threads before installing the barrel nut. Hipsters use areoshell but any ordinary axle grease or even anti seize will work

As mentioned for a lower no tools are needed. I put together a lower in about 20 minutes the other night. I used electrical tape, channel locks, needle nose pliers, an armorers wrench and a long hex bit. I had mine on a socket wrench but you can use a screwdriver with a extension. Some screws for the pistol grip actually come with a philips screw. A vise and vise block will make it easier but it's not necessary.

I will admit to making an amatuers scratch on my lower even with tape on my plier. I was trying to get the bolt release pin in just a little further and the pliers slipped. That has not happened to me before though.

As mentioned for a lower no tools are needed. I put together a lower in about 20 minutes the other night. I used electrical tape, channel locks, needle nose pliers, an armorers wrench and a long hex bit. I had mine on a socket wrench but you can use a screwdriver with a extension. Some screws for the pistol grip actually come with a philips screw. A vise and vise block will make it easier but it's not necessary.

I will admit to making an amatuers scratch on my lower even with tape on my plier. I was trying to get the bolt release pin in just a little further and the pliers slipped. That has not happened to me before though.

I feel like adjustable pliers are the only way to put the pins in the mag catch and trigger guard without boogering the lower up. I use electrical tape around the end of my pliers. It helps to steady the pins without mushrooming them.

i've been slowly building by ar tools over time. started with a nice 4.5" vise, then added roll pin punches, pin punches, hammer, mallet, geissele reaction block and reaction rod, grease, etc. 

 

it's been pretty fun gathering it all actually. some stuff i paid a ton for (geissele), other stuff was dirt cheap (harbor freight is your friend)

This is the tool list that Colt recommends at their AR Armorer course:

 

 

By no means is it necessary to get every item here. I used an old Leatherman Multitool, a paper clip, channel locks, and a red gun not too long ago to put together a lower for a coworker.

3pc armorers set, punch set, long allen key, front sight tool.

 

Everything else just regular handtools.

Thanks for all the recommendations, gents!

Do you guys think this is overkill? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TACD77C?psc=1

I have a similar kit by wheeler but it's only one screwdriver with like 50 different buts with maybe 10 punches and a hammer. I'd look for that one

 

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I work on em almost everyday. I use like 2 tools most times. Punch and a flathead screw driver. I have whole armorer kits with a hitch mounted vice for my truck and a reaction rod/upper vice block.

I work on em almost everyday. I use like 2 tools most times. Punch and a flathead screw driver. I have whole armorer kits with a hitch mounted vice for my truck and a reaction rod/upper vice block.

I went out and bought a reaction rod right after the last time I saw you.

 

Used it for a few guns now. Works great!

I really want a reaction rod and BEV block.

I went out and bought a reaction rod right after the last time I saw you.

 

Used it for a few guns now. Works great!

Lol

ive built a few guns.  here is what i found i like to have.

 

 

1.  starter punch set  https://www.amazon.com/Grace-USA-Gunsmithing-Gunsmith-Accessories/dp/B00O6HHCOA/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1485442985&sr=1-2&keywords=grace+roll+pin+holder

 

2.  second set of punches that have the little nipple on the end.  

https://www.amazon.com/Grace-USA-Gunsmithing-Gunsmith-Accessories/dp/B007WADKN0/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1485443015&sr=1-2&keywords=grace+roll+pin+punch

 

3.  for the front pivot pin detent i use one of these in a size that works well http://www.globalspec.com/ImageRepository/LearnMore/20124/imageseb822a836d134927a8f3700a39625206.png

 

4.  a torque wrench

 

5.  a armorers tool

 

6.  brass hammer

 

7.  mag block

 

8.  vice

 

9.  reaction rod

 

10.  center punch spring loaded http://www.homedepot.com/p/General-Tools-Hardened-Steel-Center-Punch-89/202025674

 

11.  aeroshell 33ms

 

12.  screwdriver

Do you guys think this is overkill? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TACD77C?psc=1

 

I like to buy tools as I need them, not so much big sets like that.  I might only use 2-3 of those tools.  You can find the 3pc armorers set on Ebay for ~$40, punch set under $10, front sight tool under $10.  I have a small dedicated tool box for guns, whenever I need a specific tool it gets tossed in the box.

 

Don't forget to buy an AR cleaning kit or at least the brush if you have other kits.

Thanks!

Funny. I was looking at the Cabelas catalog last night and came across these

http://www.cabelas.com/product/shooting/gun-maintenance/gun-smithing|/pc/104792580/c/104814180/sc/104370480/wheeler-reg-delta-series-ar-armorer-s-professional-kit/2196563.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fgun-smithing%2F_%2FN-1102327%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104370480

 

or

http://www.cabelas.com/product/shooting/gun-maintenance/gun-smithing|/pc/104792580/c/104814180/sc/104370480/wheeler-reg-delta-series-ar-armorer-s-essentials-kit/1530083.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fgun-smithing%2F_%2FN-1102327%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104370480

You'd be surprised how few tools you can get away with

 

you'll need a barrel nut wrench appropriate for the barrel nut you wind up with, which can depend on the forearm chosen. You will also need something to hold the upper while tightening said nut. That tool will likely require some sort of vice. Beyond that it becomes increasingly fungible. You can make do with surprisingly few "real" ar tools. 

 

This is currently my upper holding device of choice:

 

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/rifle-tools/barrel-tools/ar-15-m16-barrel-extension-torque-tool-sku080000637-27452-53686.aspx?sku=080000637

 

This is my current "gunsmithing" vice (I have a set of barrel vice "v-block" jaws to go with it)

 

https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Fox-D3125-Parrot-Vise/dp/B0000DD4ZU

 

Roll pin starter punches are nice this set are increadibly cheap and nicely made

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QO2XGRW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Roll pin punches are nice too (amazon has plenty)

 

Amazon really has a solid collection of tools for this these days. If you go that route, set up amazon smile and pick the second amendment foundation or one of the other RKBA groups available for it and do your order via smile to get them a donation with no cost to you. 

Anyone have a reaction rod I can borrow in south jersey for a minute. I got a new upper and it has a hump on the side so my regular vise block won't work. 

I have a very bad compulsive disorder with buying tools. I literally have a mechanics garage with just about every tool you can think of besides a wheel balancer for tires. I don't have a pit, but I was thinking about it. Here are just some pictures of the tools that were hanging around in the kitchen no less. I also took a couple shots of the rifle bags I use. They are both fantastic. I use the gray one for now, but will switch to the black one as well. The black one can hold 2 AR's and has hidden pockets for 2 pistols.

 

2 hours ago, MichaelDiggs said:

I have a very bad compulsive disorder with buying tools. I literally have a mechanics garage with just about every tool you can think of besides a wheel balancer for tires. I don't have a pit, but I was thinking about it. Here are just some pictures of the tools that were hanging around in the kitchen no less. I also took a couple shots of the rifle bags I use. They are both fantastic. I use the gray one for now, but will switch to the black one as well. The black one can hold 2 AR's and has hidden pockets for 2 pistols.

 

nice setup!

On 1/23/2017 at 6:30 PM, Vicious said:

I don't know about a kit, but you need a torque wrench, 2 pin punches, an armorer's wrench, brass/ polymer hammer, and an upper vice block. I have the Magpul upper vice thing and armorer's wrench and they are awesome.

 

Hand guards that don't use the standard barrel nut will probably require a different wrench, but you still need the torque wrench. Most will come with the proprietary wrench.

You forgot a vice to put the upper vice block clamp in.

1 hour ago, silverado427 said:

You forgot a vice to put the upper vice block clamp in.

Lol, yes. Yes I did.