What Is An Armorer’s Wrench?
There are many wrenches out there that vary in the features and capabilities they provide. The most basic function an armorer’s wrench provides is to tighten the castle nut on the buffer tube of an AR style rifle. However many armorer’s wrenches also provide features to tighten barrel nuts and muzzle devices like a flash hider or compensator.
Like many other new AR builders, I once made the common mistake of purchasing a cheap stamp-out wrench before I invested in a good quality wrench that would not slip off the castle nut. Don’t do what I did.
These Are The Top Ranked AR-15 Armorer’s Wrenches
Why Were These Wrenches Top Ranked?
Magpul Armorer’s Wrench
MAGPUL – AR-15/M16 ARMORER’S WRENCH
Magpul is a name that many shooters know and for good reason. The Magpul armorer’s wrench was ranked number once since it is made with a solid steel construction that fits castle nuts really extremely well and wont slip off while tightening.
If you have ever used a cheap armorer’s wrench before you more than likely have slipped off a castle nut and scratched your buffer tube. Not with the Magpul wrench, it fits so well and has a non-slip grip finish that keeps your hands on the tool where they belong. Here are the key features of the Magpul armorer’s wrench:
- Engages both stock and pin-style barrel nuts
- Fits standard sized flash hiders
- Installs and removes rifle receiver extensions and carbine castle nuts
- Two hammer faces
- Works with 1/2″ torque wrench
- Solid steel construction
- Relevant torque specs included on wrench for quick reference
- Phosphate finish
- Bottle opener
- American Made
Check latest price at Brownells.
Brownells Buttstock Armorer’s Wrench
BROWNELLS – CAR-15/M4 BUTTSTOCK WRENCH
I would rank this armorers wrench number one, however, it has a higher price tag than the others and does not have a barrel nut feature. With that said, this is the best made armorers wrench out there.
It has a four point contact design that locks very securely and will fit both Stag and DPMS castle nuts. The handle is a little on the short side but it encourages you to use the ½” square torque drive opening with a quality torque wrench. If you plan to build more than one rifle this is for you.
Key Features:
- Dedicated four precision-machined teeth that ensure full, non-slip engagement of all four notches in an M4-type castle nut
- Pry blade/screwdriver
- ½” square torque drive opening
- Fixed stock receiver extension remover
- Heavy duty steel construction, machined from a single piece of .312” thick steel
- Durable black oxide finish
Check latest price at Brownells.
Smith Ent. Armorer’s Wrench
SMITH ENTERPRISE – AR-15/M16 ARMORER’S WRENCH
This is another heavy-duty wrench that receives a lot of positive feedback. This stout .4″ thick armorers wrench works best for installing or removing your AR-15 barrel nuts. It comes with a 1/2″ square drive opening for torque wrench applications and two slots for A1/A2 flash suppressor installation/removal.
The only catch with his wrench is that some muzzle devices with driving flats less than .410″ long may not fit well with the 3/4″ slot. With that said, it’s another great choice worth considering.
Key Features:
- Installation and removal of all barrels up to 1¼” diameter with either encapsulated or peg-style barrel nuts
- Extra-long handle features smooth, contoured edges for comfortable use
- Includes ½” square drive opening
- 5⁄8″ and ¾” slots fit receiver extensions and A1/A2 flash suppressors
Check latest price at Brownells.
Brownells Armorer’s Wrench
BROWNELLS – AR-15 ARMORER’S WRENCH
Brownells makes a lot of excellent gear and did things right with this Armorer’s wrench. The barrel nut end allows you the choice of two sides to work with; encapsulated or peg-style barrel nuts.
As soon as you handle it and put it to use you can tell it’s very heavy-duty and well worth the money. This is another Armorer’s wrench that will not slip during high torque applications even when installing barrel nuts with a Delta Ring Assembly. Give it a look.
Key features:
- Works with either encapsulated or peg-style barrel nuts
- Carbine buttstock wrench that features four teeth that ensure full engagement
- Includes a 1/2″ square drive opening for torque wrench application
- 5/8″ and 3/4″ slots to fit receiver A2 receiver extensions and flash suppressors
Check latest price at Brownells.
Tapco Armorer’s Wrench
TAPCO WEAPONS ACCESSORIES – AR-15/M16 ARMORER’S TOOL
If you are looking to build an AR-15 on a budget and want to save a few bucks but still own a good tool, the Tapco Armorer’s wrench is just the ticket. Loaded with features this wrench gets the job done.
The only complaint with this wrench is that the olive drab powder coating tends to come off over time, but the functionality of the tool remains for years to come. A good lower cost option to consider.
Key features:
- Flat tip screwdriver
- Barrel nut wrench
- Hammer
- Flash hider wrench
- Spanner wrench
- Bottle Opener
- Forearm wrench
- A2 extension tool
- 1/2″ opening to attach ratchet or torque wrench
Check latest price at Brownells.
Other Helpful AR-15 Gunsmithing Tools & Kits
AR-15 Multi-Tool
If you want a small compact tool that you can easily bring anywhere to clean and tinker with your AR-15, the Real Avid Multi .223/5.56 MSR Tool (available on amazon) is just what you are looking for.
It has a tool scraper designed to clean your bolt, a front sight adjustment tool, a punch to help remove stubborn take down pins, a bolt override tool to clear a jam, a removable pick to help clean built up carbon and much much more, check it out to see all remaining features.
Bench Vise
Some people think you need an expensive gun vise but this is not the case, just get a decent 4″ bench vice like this one available on amazon.com that is very inexpensive but extremely useful. Once you have a vice, consider the next two items to make the most of the purchase.
Vice Block
Now that you have a vice, this very handy vice block tool inserts into your magwell and is secured in you vice allowing you to work on your receiver or rifle without having to worry about crushing or scratching anything. This will lock into the mag catch securely so you can torque your barrel nut without worrying about things shifting around and damaging anything.
There are many times when you will need both hands while working on your AR-15, such as installing your trigger and hammer assembly, this allows you to do so while holding the lower receiver firmly in place. This vice block is super strong and very helpful, just know that you may need to sand a surface or two for a proper fit into your lower.
Nylon Vice Jaws
Gunsmithing Tool Kit
Next I would get a set of punches and soft faced hammer for working on your AR-15. If you are new to building AR-15’s, there are many times you will need punches or roll pins with a brass/nylon hammer.
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- I like this tool kit for when you are installing your fire control group since you can use the punches to help align the trigger and hammer pins making installation a lot easier.
- The kit includes:
- 54 Flat Bits
- 3 Phillips Bits
- 4 Torx Bits
- 8 Hex Bits
- 3 Specialty Bits
- 1 Hex Drill Bit Adapter
- 1 Hex Bit Square Adapter
- 2 Extended Length Bits
- 1 Magnetic Bit Driver
- 9 Punches
- 1 Double Faced Hammer (brass and nylon)
- 1 Bench Block
Torque Wrench
- If you want to assemble an AR-15 correctly you will want to have a quality torque wrench. The second barrel I ever installed I used a cheap torque wrench that failed to provide the proper torque reading and damaged my upper receiver!
I could have avoided this costly mistake by using a quality torque wrench. You want something that will read between 30-80 ft/pounds since most AR-15 applications fall in this range. I like this torque wrench on amazon that has a 1/2″ drive that will work with most armorer’s wrenches to install castle nuts, muzzle devices and barrel nuts. Check out the reviews, this is a great wrench.
Bolt Catch Kit
This inexpensive Wheeler Bolt Catch install kit makes quick and easy work installing the roll pin. They are designed to provide clearance to your receiver so you don’t scratch it, I still put tape down just in case but these tools work incredibly well.
AR-15 Cleaning Kit
This cleaning kit from Real Avid comes with everything you need to keep your AR-15 chambered in .223/5.56 nice and tidy. Whatever cleaning kit you choose, make sure you have a good chamber brush like the one that is included in this kit.
Inexpensive and comes in a nice carry case.
Pivot Pin Tool Set
AR-15 Cleaning Mat
There were many times when I first started shooting AR’s that I took it apart to clean it and could not remember how to reassemble it. Take a look, they are inexpensive and just look totally awesome.
Well that about covers it, I hope these recommendations help you as you begin your AR endeavors. Shoot safe and have fun!
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