Well, it’s that time of year again – the holiday season is upon us and with it comes the the stress of both giving and receiving gifts. Fear not, we are going to spend the next 12 days giving you ideas for that special shooter in your life. And while your at it, what don’t you go ahead and get yourself something really nice.
Before you threaten to throw me back into Sunday School, I realize the actual 12 days of Christmas starts on Christmas Day and runs to the eve of the Epiphany. But I am asking you all to play along with me, independent of whatever religion you practice or holiday you observe.
Tools are easy and great gifts. They end up getting used more than any sweater, socks or tie, and as long as you buy (or receive) quality, they will end up lasting longer as well. The bad part about tools as gifts for gun owners is that they aren’t that exciting. In fact, some of these items were on last year’s list.
We will start our ‘12 Days’ with the most boring category. And while I prefer to shop at Brownells for my parts and tools, there are other outlets serving up quality gear at affordable prices.
if you have other suggestions on which gunsmithing tools to give as gifts, please feel free to lease me a note in the comments section below.
Tools at BROWNELLS – MAGNA-TIP® ADJUSTABLE TORQUE WRENCH – $44.99
Precision-adjustable torque driver ensures that you apply the exact amount of leverage needed to accurately tighten any gun screw, including action screws and scope ring/mount screws. Adjustable from 15 to 70 in-lb. in 1 in-lb. increments to eliminate guesswork and prevent under- or over-tightening screws – no more stripped threads or broken-off screw heads. The 1/4″ magnetic hex drive socket accepts ANY Brownells Magna-Tip bit – plus, 6 bits commonly needed for gun work are included! Ergonomic, rubber-coated handle gives you a secure grip for maximum leverage and even transfer of tightening force. To change torque setting, simply turn the orange collar to the desired setting indicated through the easy-to-read window scale. A self-limiting cam-over clutch “clicks” free when the specified amount of torque is reached, making over-tightening impossible. Each driver is hand calibrated and inspected, and comes with a handwritten certification card.
OBSIDIAN ARMS – AR-15 ARMORER’S PUNCH SET – $34.99
The AR-15 Armor Punch Set contains all punches needed to assemble an AR-15 Lower Receiver. They are made from 4140 alloy steel, heat treated, and QPQ finished. Includes: 3 starter punches, 3 roll pin punches, 1 flat punch, 1 double sided delrin plastic punch.
BROWNELLS – MULTI-VISE™ – $299
The highest quality U.S. materials and craftsmanship go into producing the Multi-Vise. The body is constructed of tough, 50,000 psi tensile strength, ductile, iron, which makes it last and last. You won’t have to tighten or loosen extra clamps when you turn Multi-Vise on its side or rotate it back and forth, because the convenient cam locking system automatically locks Multi-Vise in position when you tighten the jaws. Precision-machined, smooth, jaw faces combine firm pressure with a gentle finesse to securely hold metal, wood, or plastic. The 4140, chrome-moly-steel, nickel-plated, rust-resistant lead screw turns effortlessly.
RCBS – STAINLESS STEEL DIAL CALIPERS – $44.99 (Possible Rebate)
- Hardened stainless steel construction
- Matte, non-glare finish
- Range 0-6″
- 0.100″ direct reading per revolution
- 0.001″ graduations
- Accurate to +/- 0.001″
- Four-way measurement capability: inside, outside, depth and step
- Shockproof movement for accurate measurements
- Clear glass lens protects dial from dust and scratches
- Slide may be locked in any position with thumb lock
- Dial easily zeroed
- Lock screw holds dial in position for precise measurements
- Thumb wheel makes for easy opening and closing of the caliper
- Fitted hard plastic storage case
GEISSELE AUTOMATICS LLC – AR-15/M16 REACTION ROD – $99
Sturdy steel rod slips into the upper receiver to give needed support for barrel changes and parts installation. Makes removal and installation of barrels, flash suppressors, gas blocks, and handguards much easier. Designed to be gripped in a bench vise so that the rod is either horizontal or vertical. The upper receiver is then slid onto the rod and the rod’s integral splines enter the barrel extension and secure the barrel extension from turning, allowing all the torque from barrel nut wrenches to go directly into the barrel extension. Unique design can’t mar the barrel’s exterior finish and eliminates the need to remove sights or optics when installing the barrel on the upper receiver.
HORNADY – LOCK-N-LOAD SONIC CLEANER 7 LITER – $279
Utilize up to 7-liters of high frequency ultrasonic cleaning action to blast carbon residue and other debris from your cartridge cases, gun parts and other metal equipment. A solution saving 1.6-liter small parts tank accommodates empty brass cases and small metal parts, and an additional tank can be purchased separately to allow two small batches to be cleaned simultaneously with different solutions. The keypad with illuminated display allows you to adjust and monitor time, solution temperature, de-gas, ultrasonic and heat functions. Spend less time cleaning, and more time shooting!