If you’re looking to build or customize a rifle that looks and shoots exactly how you want it to, you’re not going to find a better gun than the AR-15.
With a seemingly endless supply of upgrades at your fingertips, modding or building your AR-15 from the ground up has never been easier.
For the most part, modding or building your AR-15 from the ground up is relatively simple and straightforward. And best of all, most of the tools needed for the job are probably lying around in your toolbox already.
And if this is your first time building an AR-15, make sure to take a look at our list of essential gunsmithing tools to see if you’ve got everything to get started.
Today, we’re going to look at…
- Vise blocks
- Pin punches
- Wrenches
- Tool kits
- Screw kits
Now that we’ve got that out of the way let’s take a look at some of the best AR-15 build tools designed to make gunsmithing easy and convenient.
Essential AR-15 Build Tools
1. Brownells Upper & Lower Vise Blocks
When assembling your AR-15, it’s important that you use vise blocks to clamp your receiver halves together without damaging or distorting your upper and lower receivers.
There are a number of different vise blocks available on the market, but the advantage of going with Brownells is that you’re able to get two high-quality products without having to pay an exorbitant amount of money.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Both blocks are made from a heavy-duty urethane plastic that’s strong enough to withstand pressure from your bench vise while also keeping your upper and lower receiver protected from damage.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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And if you need both, you can grab the set for a pretty good price!
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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What do you think about the vise blocks? Rate them below.
2. Magpul BEV Block
Magpul took the standard block and improved it.
The BEV Block locks your upper to it with a pin through the pivot hole and comes with steel lugs that enable you to work on barrel nuts and flash hiders without flexing the receiver.
This tool allows you to conduct a series of important building steps for your upper, and it’s more diverse than clamshell-styled blocks.
Some types of AR uppers don’t fit perfectly into these molds, but the BEV Block will accommodate them fine.
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In addition, the BEV Block doesn’t require you to remove your optic to complete jobs once your gun is already built. Finally, it also comes with an o-ring post to mate with your BCG for extra stability.
3. Real Avid Pivot Pin Tool
A takedown pin tool is built from heavy-duty plastic that’s strong enough to remove takedown pins without damaging your gun.
It’s also helpful for installing your magazine catch without marring or scuffing up your lower receiver’s metal. How so? It lets you push the mag release back far enough so that you’re able to install your mag catch without any issues.
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4. Magpul Armorer’s Wrench
The Magpul Armorer’s Wrench is for when you want the Cadillac of spanners.
This sturdy wrench is designed to maximize grip and comfort. Just like other armorer’s wrenches, it works with both pin and stock-style barrel nuts and is compatible with standard-sized muzzle suppressors. It also is able to tightly grasp castle nuts without causing damage to the nut.
Oh, and you can also open bottle caps with it, which is great for cracking open a cold one after you finish working on your build.
This wrench is created to give a firm grip on the nut in three places, making it easier to exercise control over the nut without causing any damage.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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5. Brownells Armorer’s Wrench
If you’re not about living that minimalist lifestyle and want the Swiss Army Knife of wrenches, the AR-15 Armorer’s Wrench is right up your alley.
This heavy-duty tool is strong enough to withstand heavy use without breaking or bending but is delicate enough to protect your gun from scuffs and scratches while handling stock and pin-style barrel nuts.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Plus, it makes a great lightweight tool to carry around in your range bag. Curious about other wrenches? We have more recommendations in our Best Armorer’s Wrench article.
6. Wheeler Engineering AR-15 Armorer’s Essential Kit
If you don’t want to spend nearly $300 on gunsmithing tools, but you still want to make sure that you’ve got everything you need to start your AR-15 build, Wheeler’s Essential Kit might be right for you.
This tool set is perfect for beginners and for people who’ve got some gunsmithing tools lying around already. It comes with all of the heavy-duty instruments that you need to build your AR-15 or modify the one you’ve already got.
Each kit includes the following items:
- An AR-15 combo tool for different types of bolts
- A torque wrench
- Vise blocks for your upper and lower receivers
- Pivot and roll pin installation tools
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Additionally, the toolset also comes with a durable bag to carry around your tools and keep them protected from the elements.
And while the Essential Kit isn’t quite as comprehensive as the Ultra toolset, its tools are made with the same heavy-duty design that’s built for longevity and maximum usage.
7. Multitasker Twist AR-15 Tool
The Multitasker Twist AR-15 Tool is a screwdriver multi-tool designed to help make maintenance and optics adjustments quick and easy.
This compact tool is the size of a pen, making it easy to carry around in your pocket or in your range back.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Features include:
- 10 different bit heads
- Adjuster for your Aimpoint sight
- 3/32” pin punch
- Pocket clip
While not a necessity for building your AR-15, this tool certainly is handy if you’re trying to clean or adjust sights.
Final Thoughts
Whelp, that’s our list of best AR-15 build tools to help you get started with your rifle.
As you can see, building or modding your AR-15 is a complex process. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to come up with a tool checklist before starting your build.
That way, you don’t have to worry about stopping midway just because you forgot to buy a pin punch set or something.
What’s your go-to tool? Let us know in the comments below. If you’d like to learn more about building your first AR-15, Glock, or a variety of other popular guns, make sure to check out our build guides to learn a little bit about gunsmithing.
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Add another to my list of things I didn't know I needed: The Knipex Pliers "Wrench" with flat jaws and a pivoting action. They make a 180mm and 250mm, and aren't cheap. What they do is use a parallel jaw action which presses in roll pins much easier than a pair of taped up locking pliers. HF also has one in their inventory at about half the cost. When you are trying to press in the Forward Assist roll pin with these, instead of beating it in with a punch and hiding the damage with a Sharpie, it pays its way.
The barrel nut is torqued to at least 35# and no more than 85#, which isn't precise at all. It's meant to get the teeth on the nut aligned to pass the gas tube, and then if the nut backs off it pushes the tube to one side which may create a malfunction. There are barrel nuts with no teeth on them for free floats, which then begs the question, why use a torque wrench at all? To keep from stripping the threads on the nose of the upper: steel nut, aluminum threads, eager overachiever = stripped threads.
The barrel extension fit to the upper is more important, and precision assemblers are now going the route of warming the upper, chilling the extension for a fit that is so close no other method allows them to slip together. It takes any rocking out of the assembly - which can only be caused by a lot of pressure on the barrel forcing the alloy to bend. That shouldn't happen with a free float - yet here we are.
I've used a large pair of adjustable pliers and have no issues with my first two builds. A few nicks in the finish of a barrel nut can't be seen. Once a chain is wrapped around it and dragged down a gravel road for battleworn patina it's not gonna be noticed. ; )
What! No pin-anti-launch tool?
Shame on y'all.
Dang y'all high as the cost of your tools. Jett I
Do you recommend a particular torque wrench?
Holy cow Brandon must think every bodies loaded. You don’t need half that stuff to build an AR. And if you want to buy it you can get that stuff way cheaper at CDNN sporrts or DVOR. While I know these guys are writing for click rebates no need to get ripped off.
I agree... and Brownell's prices for vise blocks is unreal! The lower block is crap IMHO... it doesn't lock into the lower without wrapping it w electrical tape.. There are much better blocks out there..
Would you mind sending me a list of tools needed to built one. I am actually looking to built one from the ground up. Putting the upper and the lower. If you dont mind?
Real Avid's master kit is a great start. I bought mine several years ago and it wasn't too costly, inflation has caught up a bit. If you look around it's under $200.
You forgot to include the superior "Geissele" reaction rod and block. When Brownells has a sale on Geissele products, along with free S/H, Geissele tools are very price competitive with other AR brand tools. Geissele is second to none in design. function and quality.
You can get the same thing for $56 thru Botach on their ebay page. It's the same thing just don't have Giselle name on it.
I believe you left off Magpuls BevBlock. Approx 50.00 you can work on Upper and Lower plus Barrel.. Its a good starting tool
That's new to me...might need to check it out!