What is the best armorer's wrench you have used?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What is the best armorer's wrench you have used?

Posted: 4/1/2015 10:24:54 AM EDT

I am looking for the best armorer's wrench. I have a couple around the shop but one of them is marking the castle nut when I torque it. Should I get a stand alone wrench for the castle nut or is there a multi-purpose that won't mark the castle nut?

Posted: 4/1/2015 10:26:20 AM EDT

[#1]

Magpul Armorer's Wrench. I got this due to the solid castle nut portion, utilizing 3 tabs for a much more secure fit. It's worth the cash, IMO.

Posted: 4/1/2015 10:44:59 AM EDT

[#2]

For castle nuts...Hammerhead Rifle Tool

Posted: 4/1/2015 12:50:16 PM EDT

[#3]

This
Aim Sports AR15/M4 Combo Wrench Tool

Posted: 4/1/2015 12:54:10 PM EDT

[#4]

Are you guys torquing the castle nut?

Another one I am looking at is the Gem State Armory Wrench.

Posted: 4/1/2015 5:32:09 PM EDT

[#5]

I just use the individual spikes tactical wrenches. They are built very well and come with Spikes Life Time Warranty. I also do not like big clunky all in one tools.

Spikes castle nut wrench.
http://www.spikestactical.com/tools-st-castle-nut-wrench-38-drive-p-560.html

USGI Barrel wrench
http://www.spikestactical.com/tools-st-usgi-barrel-nut-wrench-12-drive-p-563.html

Posted: 4/1/2015 6:28:19 PM EDT

[#6]

The Spike's tools look real nice but a lot more spendy than I would expect for a single purpose tool. The teeth look a little thin on the castle nut tool, is that the case?

Posted: 4/1/2015 8:07:19 PM EDT

[#7]

For as much as it costs, I hate that I like the magpul wrench so much. That said, its not the end all be all. For instance, it won't work on the castle nut of a pistol receive extension. It dam near needed hammered into a chicom freefloat barrel nut, although that probably says more good than bad about the wrench.

Posted: 4/1/2015 8:11:59 PM EDT

[#8]

I will probably get flamed for this, but I have found the Tapco AR wrench to be a very well built and complete wrench. The barrel and castle nut lug portions of the wrench are well supported and solidly incorporated into the wrench body, unlike generic brand wrenches.

Posted: 4/1/2015 9:06:48 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
The Spike's tools look real nice but a lot more spendy than I would expect for a single purpose tool. The teeth look a little thin on the castle nut tool, is that the case?

View Quote

They fit the castle nut with out any play. Any extra hanging out the back of the notches in the castle nut could have an argument for strength, but it isn't needed when the tool is made out of quality steel. There is also radius cut around the 3 pegs so the tool will fully seat in to a castle nut.

Posted: 4/1/2015 9:12:34 PM EDT

[#10]

PRI

Posted: 4/1/2015 9:44:26 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Are you guys torquing the castle nut?

Another one I am looking at is the Gem State Armory Wrench.

View Quote

Good luck finding one of those.
Tried for a couple of months and never could catch them in stock.

Posted: 4/1/2015 10:04:59 PM EDT

[#12]

Smith Enterprise..........period

Posted: 4/1/2015 10:06:03 PM EDT

[#13]

Aluminum 16" pipe wrench and 1" x 1 foot cheater pipe.
Seriously i picked up a multi tool from walmart dot com. Put 3 rifles together with it so far. Seems to work fine but i do agree the single purpose tool posted above is a nice looking tool...

Posted: 4/2/2015 12:30:36 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
PRI

View Quote

+1

The highest reviewed on Brownells when I last shopped for tools. Decently inexpensive, quality with everything lining up perfectly, and so cheap you can mod it to fit all the different nuts out there.

For the castle nut though... I use the castle nut + brake wrench. Basic, cheap, but works. The Spikes looks beefy, and sure everything lines up... but that's $44 plus shipping.... for just the castle nut.

Posted: 4/2/2015 12:31:57 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:

Aluminum 16" pipe wrench and 1" x 1 foot cheater pipe.
Seriously i picked up a multi tool from walmart dot com. Put 3 rifles together with it so far. Seems to work fine but i do agree the single purpose tool posted above is a nice looking tool...

View Quote

So if you wanted to properly torque the castle nut to specifications so that staking or loctite shouldn't be needed, how would you do that with that system? lol

Posted: 4/2/2015 7:30:48 AM EDT

[#16]

Magpul and Gem State Armory

Posted: 4/2/2015 8:32:16 AM EDT

[#17]

I just use a USGI barrel wrench I got for $10.00 with a rachet for the FH and Barrel Nut. A modified set of Channel Lock pliers and a Staking Punch for the Castle Nut works just fine.

Those Spike's Tools look very well made, especially the barrel tool.

Posted: 4/2/2015 9:22:11 AM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Magpul Armorer's Wrench. I got this due to the solid castle nut portion, utilizing 3 tabs for a much more secure fit. It's worth the cash, IMO.

View Quote

Posted: 4/2/2015 11:55:41 AM EDT

[#19]

$40
http://www.amazon.com/Tapco-Intrafuse-AR-Armorers-Tool/dp/B006PTMYHM

Im not a tapco guy but this replaced the DPMS wrench I have that is junk. Nothing compares to PRI but if you want a budget wrench this should be your go too.

Posted: 4/2/2015 6:56:58 PM EDT

[#20]

Gem State Armory by a long shot. The Magpul Wrench is also nice

Posted: 4/2/2015 9:26:06 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
Smith Enterprise..........period

View Quote

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 4/2/2015 10:10:07 PM EDT

[#22]

I like the wrenches from > 2Unique <

Posted: 4/2/2015 10:57:00 PM EDT

[#23]

Another vote for the Magpul. Finally decided to cough up the cash and glad I did!

Posted: 4/2/2015 11:14:48 PM EDT

[#24]

P

Quote History

Quoted:
Are you guys torquing the castle nut?

Another one I am looking at is the Gem State Armory Wrench.

View Quote

I have that one, and have used it on the last couple ARs I built for myself

Posted: 4/2/2015 11:26:59 PM EDT

[#25]

This Tapco tool for muzzle brakes and castle nuts. $13 Amazon.
TAPCO TOOL

This tool from PRI for barrel nuts. Is truly badass, and easy to modify for specialty type barrel nuts. $25 from Amazon, or less with mil/dealer discount.
PRI TOOL

All for closer $40, but specialty tools. The consenus seems to be no tool or wrench excels at ALL things. Easier to get one/two use ones of the best types.