Firearm/Gunsmith tools

[AJHD]

@mods I'm not sure if "free parking" is a more appropriate home for this thread, so feel free to move it if that is indeed the case.

That said... We have countless threads dedicated to all manner of specific types, use cases and/or brands of tools... and while I know many of us here are "hobbyist gun guys", we don't seem to have many threads on firearm related tools.

Do you have a dedicated drawer in your box, maybe a separate box or even a bench where you "wrench" on your firearms and keep your firearm tools?

Rather it be cleaning and maintenance, or assembly (ex; the AR platform), repair, or even actual professional gunsmithing.

I'm always curious to see what tools are actually being used to accomplish these tasks. The retail stores are filled with what generally feels like overpriced cheaply made garbage that rarely looks or feels like anything beyond a gimmick.

Although as we know, expensive doesn't always equal better or at least necessary either. I also find myself often using the same tools for automotive repair and firearm tasks, as many tools are general purpose and may not having a specific intended use.

 

[413dan]

this is something similar to a search I was about to start for torque screwdriver recommendations for similar tasks. perhaps those that see this may have some suggestions. thanks for posting the questions OP, I too am curious about them.

 

[bigfunwmu]

A few co-workers and I have a USG 6 drawer cart in the back of the shop with a couple drawers of tools, and the rest with fiddly random AR bits. Triggers, lower parts, a couple random handguards, spare gas tube roll pins... that kind of thing.

Upper tools are Midwest Industry reaction rods, Magpul and Midwest armorers wrenches. The Midwest lower receiver vise blocks are pretty nice too. There are a few generic other vise fixture things in there too. Grace roll pin punches, and regular stuff for most of the allen/torx/stuff for the rest of it.

I'll see if I can grab a pic or 2 next week.

 

[AJHD]

@bigfunwmu Do you like the Magpul or Midwest armorers wrench better? Which have you found more useful or works better? I have the Magpul and have used it in the past. But might buy a Midwesr version at some point.

@413dan I need to pick up a torque screwdriver too. I'm looking at the F.A.T. wrench. It seems to be the most popular among the gun crowd. But there are good options from PB Swiss and other non-gun tools brands too.

 

[seber]

I have a closet dedicated to guns. Within it is a case for cleaning, one for tools, another for reloading. Everything else goes into ammo cans except for presses and books.

 

[MOS3522]

Three comments on necessary tools that are very useful for gunsmithing:

1. High quality hollow ground bits. The best I've found are Chapman, and the 5575 set is $109 right now. https://chapmanmfg.com/products/master-kit-5575?variant=32206455930945

2. Quality punches. Grace is my go-to. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=grace+punches&tag=atomicindus08-20&tag=atomicindus08-20

3. A decent vice with rubber and aluminum jaw inserts, and mag blocks to fit your rifle like this one:

 

[Outlier]

I would like to have a dedicated tool box for armorer-type tools. I'm currently using an old, repurposed cabinet.

Personally, I would pick the Midwest wrench over the Magpul. I already have the Magpul wrench so I just deal with what I got. I've had no issues with the FAT wrench either other than needing a few more bits and sockets that it doesn't come with.

 

[Beerhippie]

It kind of depends on just what firearms you're wrenchin' on.

For instance, an AR platform is going to be mostly punches, with some drivers for sights, etc. For some bolt-action hunting rifles, a nice set of hollow-ground drivers is essential.

Chamber tools, headspacing tools, etc....

I keep two small tool boxes--one for the SR, one for everything else.

A second vote for the Chapman sets. Only downside is that the bits probably won't fit your torque driver. I need to get a new torque driver. Mine seems to have taken a walk.

 

[liliysdad]

I have Chapman and Brownells bits, I prefer the Magnabits and drivers by a very very large margin, though the Chapmans aren’t bad.

AR stuff is AR stuff. It all ***** to some degree. I have a Magpul BEV block and a Geissele Reaction Rod and still find myself using an old clamshell upper receiver block nine times out of ten. For lower work, I have a brass mag block I made years ago. Works fine.

I use a Neiko torque driver. I like it better than the Fat wrench. Punches I typically source through Brownells. I like their replaceable tip pinches for general duties. I use a lot of cotton swabs…also typically from Brownells, but I’ll pick them up elsewhere if I find a deal. Brownells makes the best bench blocks as well. I have an old 1911 block I’ve used for eons, even though I haven’t owned a 1911 in well over a decade.



My gun stuff is in my shop. I have a workbench and cabinets next to my safe. Everything in one place.

 

[General Geoff]

AR stuff is AR stuff. It all ***** to some degree.

The Midwest URR is head and shoulders above any other barrel installation jig. Makes the BEV block feel like a chintzy toy.

And unlike the Geissele rod, it also fully engages the charging handle channel in the upper which fixes it in place in addition to engaging the barrel extension. And the fit on every upper I've used mine on has been perfect. Think, friction fit with about 5 - 10 lbs of force required to slide the upper (barreled or not) onto it. Zero movement or give once fully seated.

 

[Firebrick43]

I agree on magnabits and drivers being superior to Chapman, much more selection of sizes as well.

I have an old craftsman 3 drawer machinist top box for all my gunsmithing tools. Mainly starrett punches, several small dual end mallets (brass/nylon). Manson reamers and a Manson bore piloted crowning set, home made barrel vise and action wrench ect.

 

[liliysdad]

The Midwest URR is head and shoulders above any other barrel installation jig. Makes the BEV block feel like a chintzy toy.

And unlike the Geissele rod, it also fully engages the charging handle channel in the upper which fixes it in place in addition to engaging the barrel extension. And the fit on every upper I've used mine on has been perfect. Think, friction fit with about 5 - 10 lbs of force required to slide the upper (barreled or not) onto it. Zero movement or give once fully seated.

Very nice.

I figure my AR building days are done, but if I ever get the urge again, that looks like a nice piece of gear.

 

[AJHD]

I'm diving back into the AR world. I used to build them, having never bought a pre-built AR until recently. I sold my last one a few years ago. I'm starting over again from scratch.

Not doing any upper receiver work right now, I actually don't have a bench vise. But I've been changing out parts on my lower receivers. Still a few tools I'd like to pick up.

 

[bigfunwmu]

@bigfunwmu Do you like the Magpul or Midwest armorers wrench better? Which have you found more useful or works better? I have the Magpul and have used it in the past. But might buy a Midwesr version at some point.

@413dan I need to pick up a torque screwdriver too. I'm looking at the F.A.T. wrench. It seems to be the most popular among the gun crowd. But there are good options from PB Swiss and other non-gun tools brands too.

Overall I like the Magpul wrench, but the fact the opening for the barrel nut wrench opening on the Midwest wrench is 90 degrees off compared to Magpul is handy with an upper in the vise and I'm giving the last torque to align the gas tube.

Big picture they're both solid but if you are using a free float rail that takes a different tool then neither one really matter.

 

[Griff79]

I'm glad I came across this thread. Today I was looking at this Fix it Sticks kit.
Griff

FIX IT STICKS ALL-IN-ONE TORQUE DRIVER KIT

Check out FIX IT STICKS ALL-IN-ONE TORQUE DRIVER KIT with 11 reviews and an overall rating of 4.4, available Online at Brownells Today and many more Wrenches products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.

www.brownells.com

 

[AJHD]

Fix It Sticks interest me, but they are overpriced, as most other firearm tools seem to be.

 

[CGarage]

My Facom weapons maintenance station

 

[AJHD]

My Facom weapons maintenance station

Feel free to share more about the box and what's inside.

As a Star Wars fan, I like that wood top.

 

[CGarage]

Feel free to share more about the box and what's inside.

As a Star Wars fan, I like that wood top.

80s era Facom Servante.

Have weapons cleaning tools inside and tooling equipment for Walther, H&K, Sig, and Glock handguns.

Rifle tooling for Kalashnikov, Armalite, Sig / Swiss Arms, FN, Steyr, etc I store elsewhere in a cabinet.

 

[Griff79]

Here is the start of my inside tool box. It is a combination of general tools and beginnings of gunsmith tools. The Craftsman box is from the early 80’s. It’s a top box, middle box and a base cabinet. Gun cleaning tools to follow
Griff


Griff

 

[wjjeep]

Mechanic tools are kept in the garage.

Gun tools are kept in the basement “hobby room”.

Gun tools include punches, roll pin holders, headspace Gauges, screwdrivers, picks, brushes, cleaning rods, and hex wrenches. Probably missing a few.

 

[AJHD]

Not the best pictures, but the 1st drawer is my main firearms drawer... bench blocks, Magpul wrench, Magpul Bev Block, cleaning stuff, roll of mostly specialty punches I use for nothing but firearms, etc.

2nd drawer has come in handy. Not so much the hex/torx keys, but the Snap On bit kit with PB Swiss bits mixed in. I don't have any of the Brownells bits.

3rd picture is just the top of my box. It doubles as my work bench. I need to get a butcher block top for it or something.

Other non-firearm tools are in other drawers, but aside from magnets and picks, this has pretty much been all I need.

I have other cleaning and field maintenance tools in my range bag along with my Leatherman MUT I've had for 10+ years.

 

[jfleisher]

Gun workbench...