BROWNELLS AR-15/M16 CRITICAL TOOLS KIT

You'd pay this much for the blocks alone. The pin tools make installation a snap instead of launching detents across the room and inducing swearing. Be careful with the pin punch. Even though it is cut out for receiver clearance, it will mess up the finish if you're not careful. Masking tape might be a good idea.

This is a very good kit. Buy everything separate and you'll pay double. I use this kit for my AR's a lot. Everything you get in this kit, you will get every penny out of it and then some. I broke the wrench on the first turn. Tooth chipped at the end. I called Brownell's and they shipped one out to me free. They told me to just keep the old one which still has plenty of other uses to it. Their customer service is top notch. Good luck competitors, you'll need it!

Gave it four stars based mainly on the Smith Enterprises armorers wrench. The non-pin side of the wrench just would not completely flush fit the barrel nuts on three pre-ban Bushmasters, it did grab enough to allow removal of the nuts. The pin side did fit but tore a couple of the barrel nut protrusions. The pin side did fit and properly, without damage, install the YHM Diamond Pattern Handguard barrel nuts.

The upper receiver Action Block worked great as did the lower receiver vise block. The remaining tools were bonuses to me to be used later as needed.

Again Brownells has made my job easier with this "critical tool kit" living in New York and with hardly any gun shops to purchase these types of accessories (not being able to hold product in my own hands) I can rely on Brownells on great Quailty items such as this critical tool kit ,

I had to wait a while for this on back-order, but it finally arrived. I like the fact that Brownell's sends email notifications when they ship your items and they include tracking info so I kjnow when to expect the package to arrive.

The Pivot Pin Detent Depressor is only an allen wrench with an angle ground into the small "L" end and can be easily made on your own.

The Pivot Pin Detent Installation Tool can also be made with the proper size bar stock. Simply cut to length, bend a 90* angle and drill the hole in the end of the tool.

If you don't want to spend the time making these two tools, then this is the way to go. I wish the price was lower for the whole thing or maybe they could include a delta ring depressor for some added value? Overall, I suppose the convenience was worth the expense.

The action block piece was very tight in the mag well of three receivers I tested it in, but five minutes with a file took care of it.

The armorer's wrench will not fit over the crush washer to get a flash hider off, so looks like I'll be taking the Dremel to the wrench to narrow its profile a little.

Great kit been needing one for awhile and now i wont have to borrow a kit. Made enough money on the first couple of jobs to make to cost of the kit and still make money. iwork on alot of AR platform rifles being a Police Armorer this setup is the [*]! Best kept to pros and out of the hands of Novices from OH.....haha

This is a fantastic tool kit. If you own an AR you should have this kit if you intend to do any work on it. It's by no means an all inclusive kit but it's a great starting point.

The wrench is top quality, the upper and lower blocks fit nicely and are easy to use, the punches are durable.

Buying these tools together will save you quite a bit of money. They are all built well and will ast a very long time. Highly recommended for AR owners.

I have used this set to upgrade three of my Ar 15 rifles. I have to say this set is great. I highly recommend to anybody who wants switch out receivers barrles ect. Also very useful for general maintenance.

Despite a clarification call to Brownell's tech, the upper receiver block in this kit will NOT hold my upper receiver. Mr Zediker said as much in his book. I neglected to mention to the tech that I have a MACHINED, flat-top receiver. My fault! I'll now order item 231-000-157 so that I might proceed with my project.

The lower receiver block "required some fitting" but was made to work. The wrench is very good! Read Zediker's "The Competitive AR15 Builder's Guide", available here at Brownell's, BEFORE purchasing tools.