Posted: 6/6/2011 8:47:46 AM EDT
| Hey guys I just got my first AR its a RRA LAR-15. I was wondering what types of tools are needed for firearm. Not only for breaking the gun down but adding upgrades. Im assuming Allen wrenches, punches, ETC. Please share what you think I should have in my range box. Thanks I ALREADY HAVE ALL CLEANING TOOLS TO KEEP THE GUN WELL KEPT. JUST NEED HARDWARE TOOLS |
| Some of the things that I've collected over the years are a set of roll pin punches ( I guess that's what they are called) that have a small nipple on the tip so they won't slide off of a roll pin. An action block set is nice to have. It consists of a hinged plastic block that's machined on the inside to fit the upper, and a plastic piece that fits where the bolt carrier goes. It allows you to clamp your upper in a vice to remove the barrel without marring up the finish. Some also include a block that fits in the mag well so that you can clamp the lower in a vice. Also a combination wrench, it's a rectangular piece of steel that's cutout on one end with 3 pins sticking out that will fit the barrel nut. The other sides are cutout to fit the flash suppressor and the buffer tube on a fixed stock. A 1/2 inch breaker bar and torque wrench are really handy. There's also a really simple tool ( I can't think of what it's called) that helps install the take down pin detent. It's shaped like a smooth allen wrench with a hole in the end. It's pretty cheap but will save you lots of trouble and cuss words. If you have or plan on getting a collapsible stock get spanner wrench for that. My favorite tool is my Army/Air force M16 armorers manual. I picked it up at a gun show pretty cheap and it's great. It explains everything in easy to understand steps and covers pretty much everything. Even if I've done something a hundred times I still open the book and go over the procedure and everything works fine. I keep some anti seize around for barrel swaps. Oh get an allen wrench that's long enough to get to the bolt inside the pistol grip. Extra detents and springs are never a bad thing to keep around. They end up getting launched into the stratosphere and you'll wish you had an extra, they are super cheap get a bunch. |
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You'll have a learning curve as to what is real and what is gimmick. Soem are "must haves" while others are "nice to haves" and a few are "I don't know how it works but I need that" items. The best advise I ever got regarding tools was to always use the right tool for the job...don't try to scrimp and use the wrong tool or some multi-function thiungamajig that might do thirteen different functions to a degree -of which only three might be something that you're actually going to do-get the three tools that do those functions correctly.
Steve/RRA |