The 11 essential gunsmithing tools that every shooter should have

Gunsmithing tools are essential if you plan to own guns. Some of the most useful tools are available at your local hardware store. Others are more specialized. Shooters should also have a few basic tools on hand to repair their guns, just as everyone should keep some basic tools on hand to fix their car or house. Let’s talk about the tools you should have. The terms “gunsmithing”, “gunsmithing”, and “gunsmithing” often refer to what is more appropriately called armorer tasks. A gunsmith is a firearms-specialist machinist. If using a lathe or mill is not a regular part a person’s job, they are not a gunsmith. They are an armorer. This gentleman is a professional and the sparks are not alarming. Gun Digest does not recommend that you do anything beyond your comfort level. We don’t recommend using hand tools beyond your level of skill. You are responsible if you Bubba and ruin your gun. If you are unable to do something or feel uncomfortable doing it, then it’s time to hire a professional. Know your skill level and let others who are more experienced do what you cannot or are unwilling to. I can do many car repairs myself, but I leave others to the professionals. I’ve changed fuel pumps, water pumps, alternators and radiators. I’ve also done all kinds of routine things like spark plugs and brakes. I’ve also changed tires and oil. This is for the pros. You need to decide what you’re willing to do and what you’re not. Know what tools are needed for your gun. You’ll want to know what tools you need to work on your gun. Changing or installing furniture, such as AR-15 handguards or a bolt-action rifle stock.Mounting optics, possibly including mounting an optic rail and then mounting an optic.Replacing or upgrading components like triggers, firing pins and other small, often internal parts.Zeroing or replacing/upgrading iron sights.Changing grip panels on a handgun.Field-stripping and detail-stripping your gun for inspection, cleaning or maintenance.Installing various accessories like lights, lasers, muzzle devices and bipods. These tasks can be completed with hand tools such as Allen wrenches, punches, and screwdrivers. Some of these tasks require specialized tools, such as an armorer’s tool for an AR or torque screwdrivers for optics. If you have never used a screwdriver before, you will not be able to tell the difference between 20 and 15 inch-pounds. You need one if you want to apply precise torque, which is absolutely necessary for pistol optics. The cover of Gunsmithing The AR-15 Volume 2 shows an AR-15 lower in a vise. The AR-15 is a popular rifle that can require special tools to complete certain tasks. Vise blocks make it easier to work on upper and lower receivers. A torque wrench is needed to install a barrel nut, and a center punch is required to stake a castle nut. Unfortunately, they don’t sell a third arm for installing a front assist. The Wheeler Master Roll Pin Punch Set. You will need them for a lot of pistols, and for guns that have roll pins like an AR-15. Roll pin starters should also be considered. The Wheeler Master Roll Pin Punch Set includes all the sizes of steel punches as well as the sizes of roll pin starters punches used to start the roll pin into the socket. The set also includes a nylon hammer. A Craftsman torque tool. In gunsmithing, the most common application is to tighten the barrel nut on an AR-15. Torque wrenches are used in automobiles as well so you don’t need to buy a gun-specific brand. The Wheeler F.A.T. The Wrench is actually a torque screwdriver. A torque screwdriver uses screw bits, not sockets, and is the same as a torque tool. They can also be used to work on bicycles (if necessary), so they have other uses than gun stuff. Torque screwdrivers are used to tighten small fasteners, such as optic bolts. You’ll need this if you want to put a red dot onto a pistol. Wheeler’s is a good choice and includes a bit-set. Prices are usually around $70. The Midwest Industries Professional Armorer’s Wrench. An armorer’s tool is a multi-tool designed specifically for the AR-15. Features vary from model to model, but are usually lugs that fit into the radial slots of a D ring, a slot used for tightening muzzle device, and a castle-nut wrench. There is usually a square slot to use a 1/2-inch torque wrench. Some models may also have a 3/8-inch wrench slot. Be aware that M-LOK Rails do not use universal barrel nuts. Remember that you may need to use a specific barrel nut in order to install or remove it. The Midwest Industries Professional Armorer’s Wrench is well worth the money (street price around $70). A Wheeler hammer that has a nylon and brass face. A nylon mallet is another common hand tool worth investing in. A regular hammer will put too much pressure on the gun, resulting in damage or a marred surface. Professional users will spend more money on their gunsmithing tool. You can buy them for $10 to $15. The Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Driver set of 55 pieces. Poor quality driver bits are a plague on the earth, even outside of gun stuff. It is a terrible curse to be stuck in a project while your bit becomes less and less useful with each screw you tighten. A quality set should include both Allen and Torx bits. A good place to start is the Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Driver set of 55 pieces. These can be found in most hardware stores for $40 to $50. The Magpul BEV Action Block. A vise block allowing you to set both the upper and lower receivers in a vise, is essential for assembling AR-15 or AR-10. The receiver is placed in the block, and the vise is tightened to keep it stable. This is particularly important for certain parts of your build, such as installing the buffer tube and staking the Castle Nut (which you must do!). Installing the barrel and gas system. If you don’t get a model which can do both, you will need both an upper and lower block. The Wheeler Delta Series makes a great choice for just the upper. It is made of machined aluminum and has a black finish. It also has pin holes for AR-15 or AR-10 receivers. Street prices are about $40. Magpul’s BEV Action Block is a great choice for a model that can do it all. It costs up to $50 and can be used on both the upper receiver and lower receiver. It locks into the magwell, and you clamp it to the vise. The polymer body is able to withstand pressure. Husky’s 26-piece Allen tool set. This is something you should have, regardless of whether or not you are a gun enthusiast. You can get both sets in imperial and metric from Harbor Freight for less than $10. This will be fine for most uses. A set of both threadlockers from Harbor Freight will cost you less than $10 and will be sufficient for most purposes. Or, you can buy a Husky set for $20 online. It’s a threadlocking compound which prevents fasteners from coming loose under vibration. This is important for guns. It’s worth buying a $10 tube at most hardware stores, as you only need to use a small amount. Loctite Red, which requires heat to loosen, is sometimes required but only for specialized applications on firearms. Most people won’t have to worry about it. Loctite Red is only needed if you have a specific project that requires it. The DeWalt Multi-Bit screwdriver. A full set of screwdrivers with flat, Phillips, and other head sizes can be a large purchase, especially if it is a high-quality set. It also takes up a lot space. A full set of gunsmithing screws is recommended for professionals, but a multi-bit screwdriver will cover most, if not all, of your needs. A DeWalt Multi-Bit screwdriver is inexpensive (street prices are under $20) and offers a lot of utility. A telescoping model is also available at the same price. A product for touch-up blueing is another excellent gunsmithing tool. You should not attempt re-bluing at home because the process is delicate and the materials caustic. You should therefore put it off for as long as you can. This impressive target pack by our friends at Storm Tactical includes 62 printable MOA targets with DOT drills – Rifle range in YARDS. The target grids and bullseyes are in MOA. Subscribe to the Gun Digest newsletter and we will send you your print-at home target pack immediately. Enter your email below.