What are you armorers using for small parts, and tools for the AR?
I know there are a thousand “small parts boxes” out there, but I’ve yet to find exactly what I’m looking for.
Something portable would be the ticket for me, and what I’m looking for. However, I surely don’t want anything TOO small.
I have thought about this, and honestly, the only thing I can think of, would be a nice “tackle box”-like parts box, with a handle on top, and about the size of a large tackle box for fishing.
However, MOST of these I see for sale, just don’t have the tray storage area I need. It would be nice to have all different sizes of tray slots, for different size parts, and tools.
Hell, I don’t know what would really be IDEAL here.
As I said before, ideally, it would be large enough to keep the majority of my Armorers tools/spare parts, while at the same time, it wouldn’t be TOO big, so I could take it to the range or to classes if need be.
I’m not so sure such a creation exists, but I thought I’d ask what everyone here is doing? Is a portable toolbox with seperate small parts box “inserts” the best ticket here???
What are you guys using?
For small parts and springs and such I store them in boxes like these from the Container Store.
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=242&PRODID=71929
Yes, that is what I was kind of thinking for the interior storage, INSIDE of the MAIN BAG.
Have you guys seen those fishing tackle “bags”, that have several of the above shown plastic boxes inside?
Well, most of them are SUPER UBER CHEAP these days, and just totally suck.
I’ll tell you what would be totally IDEAL, would be a custom OD colored nylon/cordura tactical-like MOLLE BAG, similar to a fishing tackle bag/range bag, which held some of those plastic boxes inside!
Add a shoulder strap, and some MOLLE webbing on the exterior, along with some pouches/pockets also on the exterior, and BAM, we’d have ourselves the Ultimate Portable Armorers Toolbox. (UPAT).
I wonder if I could find a good sized Range Bag made by Eagle/etc, which would house some of those plastic, tackle-type-small-parts-boxes??? Even better, would be MOLLE webbing/pouches/slots on the exterior, along with a nice shoulder strap, as noted above. Ok, so add in a velcro area on top, for custom patches/etc too. Hell, why not go all out on it?
I believe that have purchased some of the small parts containers from Brownells. I use a Pelican case as my “mobile armory”. I cut out the shapes for the various tools and then the top section foam where I stick the parts containers with high wear/loss/breakage items. It gives me the option to lock it up and pretty much roll out with what I need inside.
Here’s one lead so far, but for some odd reason, Eagle doesn’t list the size/dimensions?
It’s not perfect, but a start.
A little on the expensive side, for this application, but I suppose it could also house some ammo, and cleaning equiptment too. Unfortunately, I don’t see a QUALITY cleaning rod storage solution though. I’ve always wished Dewey would come up with a 3 piece, break-down, coated rod, which of course would unscrew in three seperate pieces, for storing in small packs/bags…
http://www.eagleindustries.com/prd_detail.asp?ProdID=719&CatID=10&SubCatID=10
What size Pelican Case are we talking about here? I know it’s a hard case, as most Pelicans are.
What size, and shape? Suitcase style carrying handle, or strap over the shoulder?
Depending on what you want to carry and have on hand may determine the container size. I get mine from Walmart in the Fishing section. The larger ones will hold bolt carriers, buffers and recoil spring. Aside from the spring, having small parts in the range bag will allow a small one. If you want something more robust, the smaller Otter boxes may be better since it will take abuse more so. I just double bag the samll parts in my range bag since it takes up less space. If you go with a container, I would highly recommend putting small parts in a baggie in the event you drop it, it breaks, etc.
One other tidbit is to group parts into the component groups.
I believe it’s the Pelican 1600. I wanted the size in case I have to break a weapon down and take it back with me. I can also transport pistols in there as well, so for me it is multi-purpose. Plus, it hold tools for more than just AR’s.
I picked this up at The Container Store and it works well for me. Lots of great items there for making order, out of mess.
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=242&PRODID=70441
I use one of these plastic organizers too and keep everything in an ammo box.
I didn’t want to start a new thread, plus this is an 11 year-old necropost, so I should be eligible for some sort of award.
I was strolling through Home Depot and saw these while looking for DeWalt parts boxes:
They looked well made, rubber gasket and latch securely. The dividers are sturdy (thick plastic - don’t flex) and well shaped so the parts shouldn’t migrate to adjoining bins.
At $6.00 a pop I bought a couple for my range bag.
Plus, as I’ve been in Home Depot quite a bit recently, I’ve seen some killer deals on DeWalt combo kits coming up to Black Friday:
They also have a pretty good deal on Milwaukee combo kits, up to 50% off:
Anyways, those small parts storage boxes really jumped out as a value in my eyes.
I bought my small parts storage at Amazon.com.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00004X14L?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&th=
This is the best by far. They make a slightly larger one too. Holds all my M4 pattern parts from uppers and buffers to detents.
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This is what I’m using for my small parts.
Parts I’m using this:
https://www.itstactical.com/warcom/accessories/ar-15-spare-parts-organization-schematic-for-the-obsessive-compulsive/
Tools I’m still using the bag my kit came in, though I need to reorg it with all the stuff I’ve added.
I find that generally the boxes with removable dividers will allow small parts such as ejectors, gas tube roll pins, detent pins, springs, etc. roll under them and become intermixed.
I’ve had some luck anchoring them with Gorilla brand super glue. I’ve also used silicone sealant, but it doesn’t dispense as neatly in my hands.
I use these in my shop: https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-storage-organization/parts-storage/toolbox-organizer-with-4-drawers-68238.html
Great parts organizer
You guys just realize you’re making me spend more money now, right…?
These parts stay the labeled bags/boxes…
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Gas Tube- 5/64 x 5/16 Part No. 93740A622
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Trigger Guard- 1/8 x 5/8 Part No. 98296A879
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Forward Assist- 3/32 x 5/8 Part No. 98296A849
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Ejector Pin- 1/16 x 3/8 Part No. 98296A023
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Bolt Catch- 3/32 x 7/16 Part No. 98296A837
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Socket Head Cap Screw (Gas Key) 8-32 x ¼ Part No. 91251A190
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Pointed Set Screw (Gas Block) 10-32x 3/16 Part. No. 90289A337
Springs and detents haven’t been an issue.
The sickness will never end!