Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles First AR build

I’ve got the time now that it’s going to be winter, I’m going to put together my first AR….. my question is…. What tools are MUST haves? There seems to be a special do-dad for most every task that would probably cost more than the rifle itself if I bought em all lol. Thx.

I'm assuming you already have a good shop vise or 2. The other tools you will possibly need:

1. Good armorers wrench
2. Strap wrench
3. Punch set. Make sure you get some for roll pins. There are AR specific kits you can buy.
3. Small hammer with soft head and brass head.
4. Trigger guard installation tool.
5. Upper receiver vise block of your choice.
6. aeroshell grease
7. Torque wrench

Others may chime in with stuff like reaction rods etc. Just keeping my list simple. Not listing heat gun or torch, which you may need with some receivers. BCM for example. Also, if you want to bed your barrel, I'd suggest green loctite.

I like having a plastic block that fits in the mag well for clamping in a vise too.

The front takedown spring and detent can be a pain in the butt. A friend of mine took a small section of aluminum cleaning rod and drilled a hole through it to make a tool which works great; I've borrowed it a bunch. The ready-made version of this tool appears to be a 1/4 by 2 inch clevis pin.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/H...ng_a__1_clevis_pin___56K_death/4-362116/

I need to pick up one of these clevis pins so I don't have to keep borrowing my friend's homemade version.