AR15 armorers kit?

[Brianma65]

I’ve been buying some parts to build an AR 15.

So far I’ve got ,
Colt Canada Upper/ Lower
Stag BCG
Gisselle CH
FA
Colt dust cover
Stag LPK
ALG trigger
12 inch handguard
So I still need a few parts
Barrel
Gas block
Buffer tube assembly.
Maybe something else, but I haven’t researched that far yet.

I’ve googled tools and came up with this.
So,do you guys think this is good and has everything I’ll need?

 

[FoxAlpha]

Depends on what the price of it is.
Also, do you plan on building a lot of AR's? If not, you're probably better off saving the few hundred bucks and either renting/borrowing from community guys who already have the tools or just taking it to a shop and having them assemble it all for around 35-50 bucks.

 

[Brianma65]

It cost $100 US

I live in a place where there’s no shops for assembly.

And borrowing would all have to be done via shipping.

I don’t mind having the tools,as long as there the correct tools.

 

[enefgee]

What you need:

1) combo tool (Magpul makes a decent one)
2) vice block (again, Magpul makes a decent one - it's reversible, one block does both upper and lower)
3) punch set (Wheeler makes a good all round set)
4) non-marring hammer (pick your favourite flavour - it's a hammer)
5) torque wrench (Princess Auto / Cambodian Tire are your friends)

everything else is nice to have, but not vital - unless you get a forend that requires a particular barrel nut, then you need the tool for that.

 

[Brianma65]

This is what I have on hand.

So the only thing missing is the vice block?

 

[Brianma65]

Also , I have this PSA handguard, will this just screw on? Or do I need something else?

 

[FoxAlpha]

View attachment 177652Also , I have this PSA handguard, will this just screw on? Or do I need something else?

I'm not 100% sure as I've no experience with PSA, but that should be your barrel but in there. You need to remove the clamping screws, pull the barrel nut out and install it on the barreled upper receiver. The top piece is your anti rotation guide.
Once the barrel nut is tourqued to spec, slide the rail over the barrel nut and tourque your clamping screws.

Definitely do not try to install it as shown in your picture.
PM me if you have any further questions about that install.

 

[FoxAlpha]

It cost $100 US

I live in a place where there’s no shops for assembly.

And borrowing would all have to be done via shipping.

I don’t mind having the tools,as long as there the correct tools.

If that's the case, and you're like me and the cost of proper tooling is justifiable then it's not a bad deal at all.
I personally don't like the use of vice blocks or clamshell designs as in my experience the reaction rod types are far superior, but they come at an additional cost of 200 bucks.

 

[lerch641]

One of my buddies picked up the Brownells kit, not shabby for an all-in-one package.
If you're using freefloat handguards though that have the little pins that help centre it over your upper, you'll have to dremel your vice block as it fits tight on the upper.

I'm opting for a reaction rod as that'll work for any AR15 barreled unit, and won't rely on the upper to fit the block.

 

[Brianma65]

Thanks,
I think I’ll get the reaction rod as well.
I’ve owned a couple of ARs and have only field Stripped, so this is a warmup for my NR build.

 

[Brianma65]

Double

 

[bsand]

Thanks,
I think I’ll get the reaction rod as well.
I’ve owned a couple of ARs and have only field Stripped, so this is a warmup for my NR build.

I think True north arms sells a knock off reaction rod for 70$... might want to look into that.

 

[jiffx2781]

Brian, the reaction rod is a must have. Once you have used one you'll never want to use a upper receiver vice block again.

I bought a Geissele rod and it is expensive however TNA now sells a MUCH cheaper version. They call it a barrel torque tool

 

[jiffx2781]

I think True north arms sells a knock off reaction rod for 70$... might want to look into that.

Haha you beat me to it

 

[Brianma65]

Thanks I’ll check True North out.

 

[shredder]

Brian, the reaction rod is a must have. Once you have used one you'll never want to use a upper receiver vice block again.

I bought a Geissele rod and it is expensive however TNA now sells a MUCH cheaper version. They call it a barrel torque tool

What's the advantage of a reaction rod vs a upper receiver vice block?

 

[FoxAlpha]

What's the advantage of a reaction rod vs a upper receiver vice block?

Vice blocks, clam shells, bev blocks, all apply the torque to the upper receiver which can and has led to warping/damage to the aluminum receiver. I personally had a gunsmith slightly bend a BCM upper using a bev block.

Reaction rods and similar devices apply the torque to the barrel extension and alignment pin, greatly reducing stress on the aluminum receiver.
Some folks will claim reaction rod types can lead to you spinning off the barrel extension, but if you do that you're doing something seriously wrong considering torque specs for a barrel extension are like 140-150 ft.lbs vs a barrel nut of 30-50 ft.lbs

 

[lerch641]

What's the advantage of a reaction rod vs a upper receiver vice block?

Puts the torque on the chamber teeth rather than the upper, and is more versatile than a block (it'll work on anything using an AR barrel, and doesn't need you to remove the optics/accessories).

 

[enefgee]

That torque driver in your picture isn't enough, it's calibrated in inch pounds - you need foot pounds.

 

[OldRussian]

If you get a magpul Bev block the reaction rod is redundant.