Wheeler
AR Armorer's Tool Kit
By Mary and Dr. Jim
Clary
Illustration courtesy
of Wheeler Engineering.
Without
getting into a discussion of politics, suffice it to say that the
anti-gun folks in the country mislabeled AR-platform rifles as
“assault rifles”. Whether on purpose or
unintentional, they used
the term to malign the rifle for the next 50+ years, ignoring the
FACT that AR stood for Armalite Rifle, NOT Assault Rifle.
Over
time, AR platform rifles have been developed with an infinite number
of variations, from barrel types, calibers, stocks, and rails. There
has never been a firearm in history that allowed the end user to
modify it to where it bore no resemblance to the factory original. AR
platform rifles have truly morphed into the Modern Sporting Rifle
(MSR), capable of being tuned, tweaked and
“polished” into a
personal piece fitting each users' individual requirements.
With
the capability of modifying your AR-platform rifle to suit your
personal preferences, it makes sense that you have the proper tools
to do the job. Without the proper tools, you wind up paying a
gunsmith $50 - $100 to make changes or you wind up possibly damaging
a very expensive piece of equipment. That being said, enter the
Wheeler Engineering Delta kit.
This kit has every tool that
you need to either build an AR rifle from the 'ground up”, or
take
an existing one apart for a complete cleaning, as well as making the
modifications to it that you have been planning on. It even includes
the necessary vise to hold your rifle while you work on it. The tools
are tough, well designed and cover all aspects and variations of the
AR rifle.
Most kits for the ARs lack one or more tools,
usually the vise or the torque wrench. Wheeler includes them both.
They even include a chrome plated steel hammer with nylon and brass
heads for punching in/out pins in your gun. Although not cheap, it is
worth the investment if you ever plan on making modifications to your
MSR.
The specifications of the Wheeler kit are as
follows:
AR-15 Armorer’s Vise
AR-15 Combo Tool
Torque
Wrench
Upper Vise Block Clamp with Gas Tube Alignment
Tool
Maintenance Mat with Exploded AR-15 Diagram (this is a
“priceless” gem)
Pivot Pin & Roll Pin Installation
Tool
AR Front Sight Tool
Delta Ring Tool
Strap
Wrench
AR-15 Bore Guide
AR-15 Adjustable Receiver Link
22
Cal Bore Brush
Bolt Carrier Brush
Chamber
Brush
Magazine/Upper Receiver Brush
Nylon Brush
Handle
Double-ended General Cleaning Brush
Cleaning Pick Set
With
all of this equipment, it goes without saying that you need a
carrying case, AND Wheeler included a very tough one. It is compact
and easily taken to the range when needed. The overall price of this
kit is $259.99. Considering all of the tools that are included, it is
a bargain. And, in case you are worried about DIY with your gun, they
have included a very detailed (with pictures) manual on how to use
every tool. That, along with the Maintenance Mat make this kit a must
have for anyone who shoots AR-platform guns.
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