Essential AR 15 Tools You Need for Building Your Weapon

Did you know you can save hundreds of dollars by building your own AR-15?

An AR-15 is the standard rifle for any gun enthusiast, but these beauties don’t come cheap. Even for a quality, used AR-15 you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2,000.

That said, you might feel worried that you’re not up to the challenge of building a weapon. What if you get something wrong, and cause damage to the rifle when firing it?

Not to worry. In this guide, you’ll learn what AR-15 tools you’ll need. And with those tools in hand, you’ll know how to build an AR-15 with confidence.

Why the AR-15?

The AR-15 is a popular rifle for a reason. It’s not just easy to shoot and easy to maintain. It’s a versatile platform that allows a lot of changes down the line.

You can swap out all the major parts without purchasing a new rifle. And there are several AR-15 form factors that allow you to work with your use case. 

Need a smaller rifle that’s easier to transport and packs more punch in a tiny package? Get an AR-15 in a pistol variant.

Whether you purchase or build your own AR-15, you can expect to service this puppy for the rest of your life. The platform doesn’t limit you to one type of grip, stock, or set of optics.

If you decide to buy instead of build, you can refer to our best AR-15 rifles guide to choose a great rifle to start with.

How Long Does it Take to Build an AR-15?

You might be surprised, but you can build an AR-15 in about 3 hours. That’s right, you can get a fully-functional rifle in an afternoon!

It may seem like a daunting task. This is a semi-automatic rifle. What if you get something wrong and the rifle fails to fire?

There are a ton of resources in place for you. And if you’re still hesitant, there are YouTube videos that will guide you through the process.

There’s no need to hire a professional. This is something anyone can do who has a basic familiarity with standard tools and sets.

That said, let’s take a look at the essential tools when building your AR-15.

Do You Need a Bunch of Specialist AR-15 Tools?

The most important question is whether you can build this with what you’ve already got in your garage. And the answer is that you already have about 90% of the required tools. If you do regular repairs, work on cars, or love to tinker, you’ve worked with most AR-15 tools.

The following is a list of the general AR-15 tools you will need:

• A workbench
• Vise
• Vise block (Tipton seems to make the most popular ones). 
• Torque wrench
• Armorer’s wrench like this one. 
• Punch set
• Roll pin hammers (we recommend you pick up a punch and hammer set). 
• Mallet/hammer
• Hex/Allen set
• Screwdrivers

Keep in mind, this list is what the average user will need. Your AR build might differ.

Some things are optional, such as the armorer’s wrench. However, these proprietary tools will give you much less of a headache in the end.

Quality AR-15 Tools Matter

Quality will pay dividends in the end. It might be tempting to go cheap on all the tools. Pay for the quality now, and you’ll save a lot of money in the long run.

Remember, you’ll want to service your AR-15 in the future. You may need to crack it open to do some carbon cleaning. If you buy cheap tools now, you might have to buy some more cheap ones just to do regular service.

Further, cheap tools can in some cases risk damage to your rifle. You don’t want to strip a screw to save money!

The AR-15 is a sturdy platform. It’s meant to deal with a lot of abuse and work in a wide variety of conditions. However, take good care of your rifle while assembling it.

The Workbench

Of all the essential AR-15 tools, a good workbench is crucial. Make sure you have a wide, sturdy, clear surface to work on. You can make your own with plywood or purchase something that’s going to last a bit longer.

We love using these Gladiator workbenches. They have held up after a lot of use over the years.

This surface should not only have the room you need, it needs to be ready to take some abuse. It’s not ideal to build a rifle on your kitchen table. Building a gun means getting your hands dirty and maybe making a dent or two in the wood.

That said, if you don’t mind your kitchen table taking some damage, go ahead! The only thing that matters besides a big space is that your table can hold a vise.

This heavy instrument needs a place to mount. It’s ideal if you can give the vise a permanent home. Installing and removing it can be a hassle.

This can be a workbench that you use for rifle building alone or the same place you do your handy work around the house. A reloading bench with ample space is a great place to build your rifle. Why not combine multiple functions into one!

The Vise

When it comes to tools for building an AR-15, this one is not optional. If you want to build a rifle, you need a place to secure it while you install its most important components. Consider getting a quality vise, since you can use this for more projects than just a rifle.

As a general rule, get a vise with at least a 4-inch jaw size. More is always better to secure your rifle when working on it.

Vise Block

If you plan to build the AR-15 upper, make sure you have the upper vise block. The vise block allows you to mount your rifle in the vise so it remains sturdy while you work. Without a block, there would be no way of mounting your rifle without scratching the sides.

Conversely, you can use the reaction rod. A good receiver rod or reaction rod lets you position the upper, then slide it into the rod.

After that, you won’t have much trouble with the barrel nut or handguard. You’ll be able to torque both with ease.

Look out for combo kits that include not only a receiver rod, but an armorer’s wrench as well.

If you choose to use an upper vise block, be aware that this can damage your AR-15. You might leave marks on the body when tightening the vise. Be extra careful not to over-tighten your vise.

There’s also a lower receiver vise block. This lets you seat the magazine well. While you have it in this position, you can work on your lower receiver with ease.

Torque Wrench

You may have watched an AR-15 assemble on YouTube. The torque wrench is the most fun of all the AR-15 tools. It allows you to secure the barrel nut in a proper fashion to the upper receiver.

If you’re wondering which of the tools for building an AR-15 need the most investment, this is one. Buy yourself a quality torque wrench. You’ll use this tool for many years to come in servicing your rifle or building others.

For something with a little more finess when it comes to mounting an optic or installing a handguard, check out our Fix It Sticks All-in-One review.

Armorer’s Wrench

The above were essential AR-15 tools, but the armorer’s wrench is not necessary. However, know where to buy AR-15 tools that are high quality. It can be difficult to find an armorer’s wrench that will meet your standards.

An armorer’s wrench will be essential if you run into a proprietary barrel nut. Make sure to do your research. Lacking an armorer’s wrench could stall your build if your kit calls for it.

If you’re not looking to shell out hard-earned cash, you can tighten most muzzle devices with a torque wrench or adjustable wrench. Make sure to keep the correct poundage in mind for a torque wrench.

The castle nut is a tricky one. This one goes into the buffer tube. Make sure your wrench can handle it.

In short, do your research for a quality armorer’s wrench. Like most AR-15 tools, you’ll be able to find combo sets that include all these necessary tools together. But if you’re building an AR-15 on a budget, you might be able to get away with what you have in the garage.

Punch Set

This is another one of those essential AR-15 tools. Like the torque wrench, you want to go for quality here. It will not only make your first AR-15 build easier, but it will also make future builds a breeze.

Believe it or not, your cheap punch set might last only one build. It pays to get a good set. You never know when you’ll find another use for a great punch set.

Roll Pin Holders

These are also known as starter punches. They permit you to place your roll pins in the punch. This gets your build started off with less of a headache.

If you’ve got big fingers, you’ll want roll pin holders. You’ll discover in no time how much you hate hammering a roll pin while trying to hold it steady with your fingers.

You might think you can solve this with pliers. This is not advisable because you’ll need a ton of fine motor coordination to do all of it at once. Either purchase a roll pin holder, or get a friend to help with your build.

Purchase roll pin holders in a set to save yourself a bit of money.

Mallet/Hammer

Finally, something on this list you already have! There’s no building an AR-15 without a trusty hammer. Of all the tools for building an AR-15 on this list, the hammer is number one.

A classic steel hammer that’s got that yellow fiberglass handle will work just fine. 

Mallets are great since they tend to have a hard plastic side and a soft side. This is how you avoid damaging your gun’s finish. The last thing you want is to scuff up a brand-new build when your hammer bangs up the side!

Hex or Allen Wrench Set

This is another one of those essential AR-15 tools that you can buy for tasks around the house. Get a good long-lasting set. Your build will thank you for it.

Importantly, make sure to keep them organized. There’s nothing worse than picking through wrenches and eyeballing it.

This is one of those tools for building an AR-15 that you can mount over your workbench. They’ll be around for your build and any time you need to crack the car’s hood.

Try to get a bunch of regular hex keys. Star keys are also a great option. The last thing you want is to strip a screw and make it impossible to take your AR-15 apart!

Screwdriver Set

You don’t need that many screwdrivers to finish your AR-15 build.

The principal thing you’ll need is a flathead. Make sure this is long. You’ll want it to fit in the pistol grip when you’re tightening things down.

Note: some older pistol grips, such as the A2, require a hex key bolt. You’ll need this to make sure your grip is secure on the receiver. So, make sure you have a long hex key that allows you to connect these types of grips.

You can never go wrong with a quality screwdriver set! These will come in handy for just about any household repair task.

Time to Build Your AR-15

Now you know how to build your AR-15 with the best tools. Chances are you have the AR-15 tools you need in your garage. But a rifle build is an excellent time to upgrade your sets with new ones that will last for years to come.

Rifle ownership means you have a lot of new responsibilities. Keep your new rifle safe. Store it away from children.

Hopefully building a rifle from scratch will give you a newfound appreciation for the engineering masterpiece that is the AR-15.

Justin Trump

Justin Trump is the managing editor and owner of CAT Outdoors. The son of a Vietnam veteran, he’s a Certified Glock Armorer, an avid gun enthusiast and 2A advocate. He holds two firearm patents for the CAT M4 and Talon tools. When not managing CAT Outdoors, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, rooting for Michigan sports teams, and serving his church.