Vise Blocks

AR/M4 AR Technical Discussion
1

I used SEARCH and found a long list of threads in which the term “vice blocks” appeared and were discussed, but my tired, old brain on a Friday afternoon had some issues sifting through the info to a definitive answer that addresses my specific question. It seemed like vise blocks are not recommended for barrel swaps where some torque is being applied, but I have absolutely no plans to ever do a barrel replacement/swap or seriously wrench on either my BCM or Colt AR. I’ll leave that to the experts…

I do, however, need something that will stabilize an upper while I remove the rear BUIS currently sitting on each and mount a combination of Daniel Defense fixed rear BUIS along with T1s in DD micro mounts. I would conceivably also use a vise block to hold an upper when cleaning. In that context, then, would a vice block be an acceptable method to stabilize an upper? I’ve looked at the Wheeler Delta Series model that can either be mounted to a Tipton gun vise, in a bench vise, or to a bench itself. There are less expensive versions (e.g. Tapco), but I don’t mind spending a few dollars more for a better product. Anything else I should be looking at?

I would appreciate any suggestions y’all may have to help me accomplish my objectives of rear BUIS and T1/DD installations, as well as stabilization for cleaning, routine maintenance and inspection.

I consider myself an AR neophyte, but it’s been this site and the information found here that’s lead me to make what I consider excellent decisions on hardware.

2

Here’s a nice set of blocks that will give you options on what you want to do with your AR.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/310152/promag-armorers-upper-and-lower-receiver-action-block-set-ar-15

3

This is the upper receiver block I like. Good for working on your upper…

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/760543/pri-upper-receiver-takedown-pin-vise-block-ar-15-ar-10

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You can’t use it for cleaning though. Need a standard vice block that fits in the mag well for that. Put both upper and lower on the vice block and use this http://www.midwayusa.com/product/294607/possum-hollow-cleaning-link-ar-15 to keep the action open while you clean

4

This is all you need for what you are doing if you have a bench mounted vise. http://www.amazon.com/ProMag-AR-15-Lower-Receiver-Magazine/dp/B002E6P3IM If you have a few scraps of wood and carpet you can do this on the cheap

5

With the BUIS or T1 you shouldn’t be torquing anything but screws. If you have a bench vise and an old magazine you don’t care about, chalk up the magazine in the vise and put the rifle on the magazine. That’ll do the trick.

6

You don’t need any special tools to swap BUIS and optics. Something is very wrong if you’re putting enough torque into either of those to need a vice to stabilize things.

7

Thanks for the info. I’m not planning to torque anything during these installations. I need something to simply hold the upper upright and in position to work on it.

Thanks!

8

cut a piece of wood to close dimensions of a magazine and wrap with duct tape to make it slide snug in the mag well. Clamp the wood in a vice. Or buy any of the plastic or aluminum specific blocks from the manufacturer of your choice.

9

I would just get a lower receiver block, or if you know someone that does epoxy stuff, just fill an old magazine with it and let it set.

10

Thanks for the help on this one. Was able to pick up a Pro Mag version today at Academy.

11

i have that lower vise block, works well for my purpose! $12 too!! :dance3:

12

You can simply put the rifle on the carpet on your floor to change something as simple as a rear sight.