AR Sponsor
Posted: 4/5/2016 9:45:22 PM EDT
|
What tools or tool kit would you guys recommend for an M16 build? I've never built an AR before but am going to build one similar to the one I was issued in VN. This will be a present to my son. I would appreciate any advice, I don't want to spend a lot as this will probably be a one time use.
|
|
Quoted:
What tools or tool kit would you guys recommend for an M16 build? I've never built an AR before but am going to build one similar to the one I was issued in VN. This will be a present to my son. I would appreciate any advice, I don't want to spend a lot as this will probably be a one time use. An M16 armorer's tool is a start. It works as a barrel nut wrench, muzzle brake wrench, and a flat head screwdriver. Another item to have is upper receiver blocks. Their job is to hold the upper receiver in the vise while barreling without crushing the receiver. The rest of the tools are not as specialized: a set of bras punches, and small brass hammer: Roll pin starters are nice, as well as a pair of vice grips. Duct tape is nice to avoid dings and scratches. Regarding finding appropriate era parts, check out Numerich, Sarco and Royal Tiger Imports. New receivers, barrels and muzzle brakes are available, however the older triangular hand guards in good condition are becoming scarce |
|
I've built a few with varying levels of tools. The first was with the "don't want to buy special tools" mentality. The only specific tool I bough was the upper vice block. Barrel wrench came with the handguards I bought and I used the vice-grip method for the pins.
Roll pin punches definitely make things easier and have the added benefit of not being specific to the AR. I bought a set of Grace Short roll pin punches as they are less likely to bend while driving in. The downside is that they are too short to fully drive pins out for disassembly. I've also recently added a Brownell's armorer's tool (which is really nice!) and their bolt catch roll pin punch. The latter is nice, but useful for removal only. If I wasn't working with a more expensive receiver and vintage parts, I probably wouldn't have bothered. If you are still put of at the thought of buying specific told, check the Hometown forums as I remember seeing people offering to lend stuff locally for builds. |
|
Get a jewelers' hammer!
Someone above mentioned short punches so they're less likely to bend - and there was a discussion a few weeks ago about someone mushrooming a pin. Both of these issues are caused by hitting with too much force. It doesn't take a 12" stroke with a 16oz head to move these pins. Short taps with a 4 or 6 ounce hammer is plenty. As the Jedi are so fond of saying, "Patience, my young Padawan" there's no reason to expect a pin to go in (or out) like a nail, so don't treat it like one. Other than that, for parts, and help making sure you get exactly what you're looking for to replicate what you carried way back when - there is a retro section of this forum: ar15.com/forums AR15/M16 Retro Forum as well as another website dedicated to retro info: http://www.retroblackrifle.com/ |
|
Quoted:
Get a jewelers' hammer! Someone above mentioned short punches so they're less likely to bend - and there was a discussion a few weeks ago about someone mushrooming a pin. Both of these issues are caused by hitting with too much force. It doesn't take a 12" stroke with a 16oz head to move these pins. Short taps with a 4 or 6 ounce hammer is plenty. As the Jedi are so fond of saying, "Patience, my young Padawan" there's no reason to expect a pin to go in (or out) like a nail, so don't treat it like one. Other than that, for parts, and help making sure you get exactly what you're looking for to replicate what you carried way back when - there is a retro section of this forum: ar15.com/forums AR15/M16 Retro Forum as well as another website dedicated to retro info: http://www.retroblackrifle.com/ I also find the short punches a bit easier to work with/control and better for my "oh god don't f it up" paranoia. 
You are absolutely right about the hammer size though! I neglected to mention that and use a small hammer (one of the ones with interchangeable head materials) with short taps. I also lubricate the pins. Be careful sending people to the Retro Forum. We are horrible enablers and while we will help you get things just right, you may end up coming back for more! 
|
AR Sponsor