#Tools

TFB’s second day of Christmas may not be the most exciting category, but receiving tools as a gift has can be extremely satisfying. Whereas it is easy enough to drop $500 on ammunition, spending $20 on a single hand tool for yourself seems outrageous – even though we already know paying for quality tools is a wise investment. So why not put gunsmithing tools on your holiday gift giving (or receiving) guide to family and friends. Some are small and inexpensive enough to be stocking stuffers, other’s can be the main event.

The right tool for the right job is how I was taught. Not that I’ve always followed that rule to the letter. But as I’ve matured as a shooter, I’ve come to appreciate quality tools as much as I do quality firearms. Here are 12 tool suggestions for your workshop.

For years, the firearms market was omitted from innovation in the multi-tool market. Leatherman and other companies pushed out huge varieties of consolidated pacakages which could be pressed into service for firearms owners, they were not ideal, lacking many of the tools shooters needed or field work on their weapons.

XS sights is a well known company when it comes to sights for many of our guns. XS also has accessories and tools. Just released is the AR15 upper reciever armorers block and AR15 bore guide.

Hat tip to Bryan S. for sharing this with me.

Leatherman recently announced a new wearable bracelet multi-tool called the “tread”. Looking at it you can see the name came from it’s resemblance to a tank tread. Essentially what you have are a set of 29 assorted tools. I can see this being useful for archery, shooting sports or just everyday use.Leatherman says they will be releasing various additional tools the owner can purchase that will be specific to the interest of the user. They will also offer a link to fit many different watches.

Originally posted up over at Soldier Systems from their coverage on Warrior Expo, this little nugget was too good not to share. While many tool makers like Leatherman, Real Avid, and others have been moving towards fully integrated MSR Multi-tools, Gerber has taken a radically different approach with the “Short Stack.”

When I saw Dave Mason Precision Reamers on my list of vendors to visit, I was like “Wha?!?”. Not being a gunsmith, I wasn’t really sure how to approach them. I’ve got some basic tools to do maintenance on my firearms, but no real experience at this level.

MagPul has released their new armorer’s tools, the BEV Block and and Armorer’s Wrench. As is typical of MagPul, they have taken common items and added functionality. The BEV block allows users to work on barrels, uppers, or lowers without separate jigs or vice blocks. The Armorer’s Tool adds a bottle opener (on top of both regular and free-float handguard tools).

Taofledermaus, known for some interesting YouTube videos well before Demolition Ranch made it highly entertaining, has embarked at creating a firearm out of construction equipment, a 22LR rifle, and some air rifle pellets. Using “powder activated tool” rounds, the media channel seated .22 pellets in the chamber to create some seriously high-velocity shots.

I first ran across Real Avid and the AR-15 Tool at NRA 2014. They were nestled somewhere between Kimber and Del-Ton in an otherwise nondescript booth. I don’t even remember them having a banner. But, their multi-tools were on display and I was drawn to it like carbon to a DI AR bolt.

If you are a gadget guy, these will fall directly in your belly-wicket. The AR-15 multi-tool is a recently released follow-on to Real Avid’s Golden-Bullseye-winning gun-tool from 2011. Specifically designed for modern-sporting rifles, the tool allows anyone to completely assemble an AR with a companion armorer’s wrench.

Worx nailed it with this new pistol-esque electric screw driver that features a rackable slide. I was sure it was a hoax when I read about it on Kit Up!, but it is real and will go on sale later this year.