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BigDanS
Senior MemberPosts: 6,992 Senior Member
Need AR lower assembly tools... Is there a kit I can buy?

Last weekend at the Fun Show I scored two lower parts kits, and two flat top Spikes complete uppers. I can now assemble two 100% Spikes Military M4's.
I stll need two rear sights for the build. I thought about a lot of different options but since this is my first build I wanted to build it "standard" before I venture into other AR options. Now I need tools.
I have reviewed the assembley threads at Ar15.com and it appears I will benefit from some tools, such as a barrel wrench / castle nut wrench, specific sized punches, roll pin starters, etc.
Does anyone sell an AR 15 lower assembly tool kit? I'd be glad to put it in my toolbox.
Also what do you all recommend for a decent rear folding sight?
D
I stll need two rear sights for the build. I thought about a lot of different options but since this is my first build I wanted to build it "standard" before I venture into other AR options. Now I need tools.
I have reviewed the assembley threads at Ar15.com and it appears I will benefit from some tools, such as a barrel wrench / castle nut wrench, specific sized punches, roll pin starters, etc.
Does anyone sell an AR 15 lower assembly tool kit? I'd be glad to put it in my toolbox.
Also what do you all recommend for a decent rear folding sight?
D
"A patriot is mocked, scorned and hated; yet when his cause succeeds, all men will join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.... now who's bringing the hot wings? :jester:
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.... now who's bringing the hot wings? :jester:
Replies
NRA Endowment Member
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=23880/Product/TOOL_KITS_FOR_AR_15_M16_M4
What I think you need:
Armorers combination wrench
Set of roll pin punches
Set of pin punches (very handy when aligning/installing fire control parts)
Upper and lower receiver vise blocks
Good quality small hammer, one brass face and one polymer face on the head; hammer weight 8 oz.
Piece of spring steel wire to be bent 90 deg. on one end to hold that :cuss: detent spring and plunger back while you install the front hinge pin.
These tools should get you by, especially if you have a few other tools handy.
― Douglas Adams
Youre going to have some fun with your build.
what i found out assembling my lower was that a good roll pin punch set was handy.
> the only tool that i didnt have but imo is needed is the starter pin punch for the ejection port pin. It needs to be long to reach into and along the receiver.
> the only other tool needed for the lower is a spanner wrench for the stock. choose your poison here.
a good vise is nice. if you choose the special blocks to hold the lower/upper can be used.
a brass hammer is nice and someplace to work so you dont loose any parts.
if youre going to assemble the uppers, then other tools are required.
you may want to look at the ar15 assembly guides by Kuleck & McKee. they were really helpful for me and they covered what too look for and the pitfalls of that particular part/assembly.
- Don Burt
If working on the upper and lower, the vise blocks tennmike mentioned is a good idea.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=41214/Product/AR_15_M16_CRITICAL_TOOL_KIT
Pretty much all you need for the lower is a couple of punches and a tiny hammer, now the front take down pin and it's spring can be a lot of fun to get in...there's a like $4 tool that makes that easier.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=920248
And not a bad idea to have replacement springs, they tend to launch into orbit!!!
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=41458/Product/AR_15_M16_PARTS_KIT
An old magazine in a vise can be used to hold the lower if needed.
If you don't already have a bunch of nice punches, then a roll pin punch set is well worth it.
For $10, the buttstock spanner wrench is worth it.
That will build you a lower. I included prices, because I paid MUCH more for my tools at a gun show than I could have ordered them for off the net.
Good luck, buddy. :beer:
Although a cheap " kit" sounds like a business opportunity.
D
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.... now who's bringing the hot wings? :jester:
You need two sizes of roll pin punch for the bolt stop and trigger guard pins.
You need a castle nut wrench for locking down the buffer tube on a collapsible stock carbine - which is usually also cut to tighten the tube on a rifle.
There's a special L-shaped tool that is very helpful for installing the front takedown detent, but you can get by by slightly modifying one of those staple pullers that kind of looks like a shoehorn. Whichever one you use, have something ready to catch the detent when you launch it.
I like the military Matech folding rear sight - mostly because it has rapid elevation adjustment from 200 to 600 meters, where most other folders force you to adjust elevation at the front.
You need a screwdriver for installing the pistol grip
"Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee
NRA Endowment Member
Here is a picture of it:
http://brigadearmory.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=35&products_id=341&osCsid=a38f29e91ee59c259b7255341a48ad1e
And you can buy it here for half price!:
http://jtdistributing.net/store/product1605.html
The regular price is $114.98 but it goes on sale in August for $75.99
― Douglas Adams