The 5 Best AR-15 Tools for Your Gun Bench in 2025

Over the years, I’ve amassed quite a collection of tools, but when it comes to gunsmithing, I never started with a dedicated set. Instead, I picked up tools piecemeal—a wrench here, a punch there—usually driven by the immediate needs of a project. Too often, I resorted to makeshift methods or ill-suited tools that got the job done but left me frustrated, realizing later that the right tool could have saved me a lot of hassle from the start. Reflecting on these past missed purchases, today we’ll explore some of the best AR-15 tools you can buy in 2025 for your at-home gun bench, whether that’s the dining room table, the kitchen counter, or a proper workshop setup.

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Why Quality AR-15 Tools Are Important

Before diving into the list, it’s worth understanding why investing in quality tools is important. I’m all for finding the best combination of price and quality, but when it comes to gun tools, I typically gravitate towards the best that’s out there—at least from what I’ve experienced. Cheap tools can damage expensive components, strip screws, or fail under pressure, costing you more in the long run. Well-engineered tools will give you greater precision and longevity that you can feel when you’re working on an AR-15. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than a flimsy armorer’s wrench ruining a build, or a torx head snapping off or stripping a screw on a brand new scope mount. With that in mind, here are some of the best picks that consistently stand out from my collection or my friend’s collections.

1. Wheeler F.A.T. Stix

Price: $99.99

Product Link: https://www.wheelertools.com/fat-wrenches/f.a.t.-stix-preset-torque-wrench-set/1136022.html

The Wheeler F.A.T. Stix is a great all-in-one tool set for anyone who’s ever wrestled with mounting optics or accessories on an AR-15 or even handguns and shotguns. This compact set of preset torque drivers—10, 15, 25, 35, 45, and 65 in-lbs—hits all the right specs for most scope rings, rails, and small screws without the hassle of a bulky torque wrench. Made from solid steel and with a beefier handle than typically found on small torque limiters, it’s become more of a bench tool than a range tool for me in recent years.

I’ve found it perfect for quick adjustments, whether at the bench at home or at the range, and online feedback from other customers backs that up, I love these simply because it takes the guesswork out of tightening delicate parts which should theoretically lead to a lot less stripped hardware and screw heads. At $100, it’s a handy, reliable option that’s tough to beat for use as either a good set of range tools or to supplement the home workbench. I’ve taken the opportunity to supplement my F.A.T. Stix kit with a few extra tools and bits.

Product Link: https://realavid.com/products/master-bench-block

The Real Avid AR-15 Master Bench Block has earned its stripes for making pin installation and removal a whole lot smoother for both weekend warriors like myself and even true gunsmiths like TFB Writer Sam S. (who provided me with these photos). The Master Bench Block is designed to cradle five key AR-15 parts so that you don’t have to dump them all in a pile: like the trigger guard, bolt, bolt catch, forward assist, and charging handle, and neat little cutouts and divots in the block let you drive pins in and out much easier.

The vise block is made from non-marring resin with a rubberized base and a magnetic strip for holding metallic parts that tend to roll off benches or get lost during assembly/disassembly. From personal use, I can say it’s a lifesaver if you’ve ever lost a detent spring, and online reviews rave about its durability and smart design. You can theoretically get away with just a hockey puck with some holes drilled into it like Sam S. does, but the Real Avid bench block adds some nice convenience features for those who want to spend the cash.

Product Link: https://magpul.com/bev-block-ar15-m4.html?mp_global_color=118

Although by far not the least expensive of the options out there, the Magpul BEV Block is a standout for being more versatile than your standard AR-15 vise block. The Magpul BEV Block can be used to work on entire rifles, uppers, lowers, and even be used for barrel installs. Unlike those old-school clamshell vise blocks, the BEV Block locks the upper in place using the barrel extension and a pivot pin, cutting down flex and keeping your receiver scratch-free.

While Magpul specializes in durable polymers, the BEV Block also features steel lugs for torquing barrel nuts and flash hiders, plus a clever design that doubles as a lower receiver block with a magazine well insert, it’s a versatile tool that handles a ton of build steps effortlessly and is the same size as any other vise block out there. I’ve used it too many times to count, and it’s rock-solid for the price—around $50—and online reviews on Magpul’s site and big online retailers agree, calling it a budget-friendly beast that punches above its weight.

Product Link: https://magpul.com/magpul-armorers-wrench-ar15-m4.html?mp_global_color=118

The Magpul Armorer’s Wrench is the workhorse of my toolkit. Out of all of the other armorer’s wrenches that I’ve used over the years, the Magpul has won me over thanks to its tough build and multi-purpose setup (including a cleverly integrated bottle opener). Forged from heat-treated steel with a grippy phosphate finish, it tackles stock and pin-style barrel nuts, standard flash hiders, receiver extensions, and carbine castle nuts without breaking a sweat—complete with extended teeth for ASAP plates and two hammer faces for extra utility.

Product Link: https://www.tiptonclean.com/gun-vises/ultra-gun-vise/110011.html#start=1

The Tipton Ultra Gun Vise wraps up the list as the best example in my mind of a versatile all-in-one tool that keeps your AR-15 (or any other rifle or PDW) steady for assembly, maintenance, or cleaning. Its adjustable clamps have non-marring pads to protect finishes, and the modular design lets you tweak it however you need by adding or removing modules. Ball and socket joints allow you to work on odd-shaped items like crossbows or custom stocks for rifles. You can kind of think of it as a shooting sled with much more adjustability.

With a sturdy steel frame that handles torque-heavy tasks like barrel nut installs, it’s still light enough to shift around easily on top of the bench but has enough weight to feel steady. I’ve seen these used virtually everywhere and anywhere. At around $200—or a little less while they’re on sale—it’s a worthwhile spend for a durable, flexible benchtop AR-15 work platform that suits hobbyists and pros alike. If you’re short on bench space, like I am a lot of the time, they also have a version that stands all on its own, too.

A Few Good Tools

A few good tools will get you a long way when it comes to most home gunsmithing and or maintenance duties. A lot of smaller, cheaper gun cleaning kits often come with small punches or tools that will come in handy, so I find it's best to not only start with a good set of quality tools from reputable manufacturers but also to add your own tools to your set when you come across them. Of course, we’d love to hear what you guys use on your own work benches. Let us know what your favorite AR-15 tools are in the comments! If you’re looking for a broader set of tools for an Armorer or professional gunsmith, be sure to check out Sam S’s article about that here.