Tools
These gunsmithing tools cover the jobs most owners eventually do at home: mounting a scope, swapping a trigger, drifting a sight or pulling roll pins without chewing up a receiver. Real Avid, Wheeler, Lyman and Grace USA carry most of the 260 items here. Start with a bench block, a punch set and a torque driver, then add platform-specific tools as the projects come.
Keep going
firearm accessories · AR-15 triggers · scope mounts and rings · rifle scopes · sling swivels · range bags · rifle bipods
Gunsmithing tools for a starter bench
Three tools handle a surprising share of home work. A bench block supports a part while you drive a pin, and Wheeler, Lyman and Real Avid all make one. A roll pin punch set (Wheeler, Lyman, Grace USA, Real Avid Accu-Punch) is cheaper than a scratched frame. A torque driver, such as the Wheeler FAT Wrench or Real Avid Smart-Torq, takes the guessing out of ring and base screws. Add a gunsmith screwdriver or bit set (Wheeler 30, 43 and 89 piece sets, Real Avid X3 drivers, Lyman Heritage sets) and you can handle most screws on a hunting rifle without reaching for the kitchen drawer.
For people who want it in one box, Wheeler's AR armorer kits, Real Avid's Armorer's Master sets and Lyman's 45 and 68 piece tool kits bundle the basics.
Scope mounting and bore sighting
Mounting glass is the most common bench project, and the shelf covers each step. Wheeler scope mounting kits, a Wheeler scope ring alignment kit, reticle levels, the Real Avid Level Right Pro and a Leupold ring wrench get the optic seated straight. The Real Avid Viz-Max bore sighter gets you on paper before the first trip to the range. Pair the kit with your 30mm scope rings or 1 inch scope rings, and check the torque spec from the ring maker before you start.
AR-15 and AR-10 gun tools
AR owners have their own drawer. Upper and lower vise blocks (Real Avid Lug-Lok and Smart Fit, Wheeler, XS, MTM, Odin Works, J&E), armorer's wrenches, Master Fit wrench heads in specific sizes, crowfoot adapters from Odin Works, pivot pin tools and bolt catch punch sets are all here. Midwest Industries adds handguard removal tools and upper receiver rods. If you are installing one of the drop-in groups from the AR-15 triggers shelf, a vise block and a set of roll pin punches make the job far less frustrating.
Sights, trigger gauges and measuring
Sight pushers from Williams, Real Avid, Wheeler and TruGlo move dovetail sights without a hammer. HiViz makes a sight tool for Glock pistols, TruGlo lists a Glock channel liner, and UTG and Midwest Industries carry AK and A2 sight tools. To check a trigger job, Wheeler and Lyman make trigger pull gauges and scales. Lyman and RCBS calipers round out the measuring side for reloaders and anyone setting up a precision rifle with a precision bipod.
Field gun tools for the bag
Not every fix waits for the bench. Real Avid's Gun Tool, Gun Tool Pro, Edge and Core models, the Otis B.O.N.E. tool, the B5 Systems M4 Multi-Tasker and the Wheeler AR multi-tool belong in a range bag. UTG's broken shell extractor is cheap and earns its spot the one day you need it. If you hunt with a knife on your belt, the knife sharpeners shelf is the other half of a good field kit.
Gunsmithing Tools FAQs
What gunsmithing tools should a beginner buy first?
A bench block, a roll pin punch set, a gunsmith screwdriver set and a torque driver. That covers scope mounting and most pin work.
Do I need a torque wrench to mount a scope?
It is the easiest way to hit the ring and base specs consistently. The FAT Wrench and Smart-Torq lines on this shelf are built for that job.
Are there tools for Glock and 1911 pistols?
Yes. The HiViz Glock sight tool and TruGlo Glock channel liner cover Glock work, and the Real Avid 1911 Smart Wrench and Tipton 1911 mag well vise cover the 1911 bench.