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Posted: 6/17/2015 7:11:25 AM EDT
| I would like to replace the shot out barrel on one of my AR's. I'd like to pick up the tools to do it myself. I also need to help a friend change out his stock to an m4 style. What do you recommend for vice blocks and armorers wrench? |
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With a set of barrel vise jaws and the correct wrench for your barrel nut you can do everything.
Even if you decide to go clamshell or reaction rod equivalent you still need the vise jaws for working on muzzle devices. Beyond vice jaws a lot of people use clamshells and the reaction rod or equivalent are popular. If your barrel nut has to align with the gas tube the Wheeler clamshell includes a built in alignment tool for the gas tube. You will also need a vise and a ½” drive torque wrench. The mil-spec barrel assembly grease is readily available in small quantities online. Aeroshell 33MS meets the spec. If the barrel was installed with Loctite you will also need a heat gun. It takes approximately 500 DEGF to soften Loctite. |
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Clamshell upper vise block with insert to support the upper against crushing for barrel installing.
Example: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/rifle-tools/bench-vise-blocks/ar-15-m16-upper-receiver-action-block-prod22385.aspx These are nice and simple to hold lower receiver while assembling it. Example: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/rifle-tools/bench-vise-blocks/ar-15-m16-lower-receiver-vise-block-prod25011.aspx Reaction rod(expensive) or barrel vise blocks to install muzzle devises.( I have just been using my rubber vise jaw pads on my bench vise lately to hold the barrel when putting on muzzle devises. Shop around for the best prices. Brownell's is not competitive on price with some of these things. |
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Quoted:
I would like to replace the shot out barrel on one of my AR's. I'd like to pick up the tools to do it myself. I also need to help a friend change out his stock to an m4 style. What do you recommend for vice blocks and armorers wrench? Magpul makes a device called the "BEV Block" It is a block with a fitting that mimics the reaction rod in that it fits into the Barrel Extension and is pinned through the pivot pin hole for support. They sell for $50 and for the occasional needs of most people, they work very well for flash hider/muzzle devices. Last thing you want to do is strip the alignment pin off your barrel and damage your upper. Or damage your barrel using poorly fitted vise jaws. ymmv http://www.midwayusa.com/product/855360/magpul-bev-block-ar-15-action-block#pr-header-back-to-top-link |
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For mil spec barrel nuts, the PRI barrel nut wrench is fantastic. There's little to no chance of slippage.
I've got a $30 set of universal barrel vise blocks, $40 Brownells reaction rod copy, $20 barrel nut wrench from PRI, $20 clamshell upper vise block, and a $7 castle nut wrench. With those among the other standard tools (punches, torque wrench, etc) in most garages, I can completely assemble/disassemble an AR. Barrel vise blocks have 3 different size openings and are lined with a thick rubber like material that conforms to the barrel and doesn't mar the finish. |
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Quoted:
Magpul makes a device called the "BEV Block" It is a block with a fitting that mimics the reaction rod in that it fits into the Barrel Extension and is pinned through the pivot pin hole for support. They sell for $50 and for the occasional needs of most people, they work very well for flash hider/muzzle devices. Last thing you want to do is strip the alignment pin off your barrel and damage your upper. Or damage your barrel using poorly fitted vise jaws. ymmv http://www.midwayusa.com/product/855360/magpul-bev-block-ar-15-action-block#pr-header-back-to-top-link Quoted:
Quoted:
I would like to replace the shot out barrel on one of my AR's. I'd like to pick up the tools to do it myself. I also need to help a friend change out his stock to an m4 style. What do you recommend for vice blocks and armorers wrench? Magpul makes a device called the "BEV Block" It is a block with a fitting that mimics the reaction rod in that it fits into the Barrel Extension and is pinned through the pivot pin hole for support. They sell for $50 and for the occasional needs of most people, they work very well for flash hider/muzzle devices. Last thing you want to do is strip the alignment pin off your barrel and damage your upper. Or damage your barrel using poorly fitted vise jaws. ymmv http://www.midwayusa.com/product/855360/magpul-bev-block-ar-15-action-block#pr-header-back-to-top-link The BEV block is the best $50 you'll ever spend. Just to add to what 44-40 said, the BEV block with a Bolt Carrier (no bolt) attached will function just as well, if not better, than a reaction rod. You can then flip the BEV block over and use it to work on lowers or to hold a complete rifle. In regards to clamping tools, the BEV block is all you'll really ever need. The only exception is if you need to work on just the upper, but upside down (installing gas block set screws for example). For that type of work, a vice block that clamps on the Picatinny rails of a flat-top receiver is recommended, but not required. DPMS seems to be one of the gold standards for this tool. |
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