AR build question

[Ralston]

First AR build. Still gathering a few parts. Looking for tools and what I'd need. Can I build up an AR lower without a bench vise? I do not have one. What else is or isn't needed and what is recommended?

Thanks.

[rero360]

Do you mean a stripped lower or an 80% lower? If its the former, then yes, you can assemble it without a vise and only need a screwdriver, some roll pin punches, and a castle nut wrench. Now if you want to do it completely to spec then you also need a torque wrench, a staking tool, and a vise with lower receiver block.

If you are talking about an 80% then all the above still aplies, but you also will need the mill/drill press and everything that goes along with that, vise, drill bits, end mills, etc. etc.

Really the easiest approach is to watch the videos on Brownell's website on building an AR

[riddler408]

^^ that's it!!

[Ralston]

It's a stripped lower. Thank you. Looking forward to getting this growing pile of parts to go bang correctly.

[riddler408]

It's a stripped lower. Thank you. Looking forward to getting this growing pile of parts to go bang correctly.

great feeling shooting a firearm build with your own hands!!

[Germz]

i built my lower with a small nail, hammer, paperclip, masking tape and a channel-lock wrench.

what i'm getting at is you don't NEED the appropriate tools, they just make the experience easier.

[fredrick_kaludis]

Yes you need a vise, another thing nice to have is no-mar or hard wood magazine block to support the lower in the vise. this will allow you to keep the lower under control when you install the buffer tube. to go with your gunsmith tools consider a hockey puck to use as a pin block.

[Gunsmith Dan]

The lower receiver a vise is not needed ( I disassemble them and reassemble them pretty much holding it with one hand, except when doing hammer/trigger spring then just place it on the bench).

While it makes it easier it can be done without a vise just a cloth or mat on your bench top.


on the other hand

a Upper receiver without the barrel already attached definitely needs a heavy duty bench vise (or barrel vise) to torque the barrel into place.