By Scott Smith | Contributing Editor
Real Avid’s Master Bench Block with a bolt positioned to remove the ejector. Note the press on the right side of the image.
Back at the SHOT Show in 2015 I was introduced to Real Avid Tools. Back then they offered some amazing compact tool kits for shooters. They were well thought out and priced not to break the bank. Well, in 2018, Real Avid Tools is still at it; they have come out with several “bench tools.” These tools will make major work on your rifles easier and help you keep from losing the small parts.
To keep the pins and bolt parts in one place, check out the AR15 Master Bench Block (MBB). This block is truly unique. It is a padded polymer block with cutouts for all the parts and pins clearly labeled. Not only are they labeled but magnets are embedded in the block to secure them. Having lost more than my share of punches and roll pins over the years I can tell you this is a god send.
The backside of the Master Bench Block shows where to store the various pins in an AR so they don’t get lost.
The Master Bench Block also has holes to punch out the pins, including those that retain a front sight gas block. This would have come in handy when upgrading and rebuilding several ARs I have written about over the years. Instead of fighting to get a secure place to drive that pin out, I could have set the barrel in the MBB and simply drove out the pin.
What I found to be the most amazing feature of the MBB was the ejector removal tool. You set your bolt in a slot that looks like and is marked bolt and simply screw in the red handle. This takes tension off the ejector so you can remove the spring, retaining pin and ejector. You can also remove the extractor parts in this slot and secure the pins in the appropriate spot on the backside of the MBB.
You will find the MBB also has a slot to work on the charging handle. The cutout secures the charging handle so you can replace the catch latch and spring and not need a third hand.
To keep your Accu Punch Hammer and Punches secure they are in a locking case.
Thanks to the anti-slip frame, the Master Bench Block will not slide across your bench while working on your AR. At $29.99, this must have piece of repair kit will not break the bank.
To remove all the pins and small parts of your AR or other firearms, use Real Avid’s Accu-Punch Hammers and Punches. The first thing you notice about this tool kit is all the tools are stored in a locking case that flips open to become its own stand. Next, the size of each punch is etched clearly and large enough to be seen without a magnifying glass on each punch. A nice feature of each punch is they have two anti-slip strips of rubber at the pin end of the punch so you have a secure grip even with oily hands. This is a feature I have not seen on other tools.
You will also find a pair of polymer pin alignment tools that wraps around a pin to aid you in the installation of pins. While the pin alignment tool allows you to tightly grip a pin, it will also allow the pin to move when hit with the hammer, or punch and hammer. Pliers will not do this, which makes installation of pins harder than it needs to be. There is also a non-marring punch to drive out stubborn pivot and take down pins on an AR.
When opened, the Accu Punch case is folds into a handy stand.
To drive out the pins with the Accu Punches is the most unique part of the Accu-Punch; the hammer. This hammer has four heads, all of are interchangeable. There are a brass, steel and two densities of polymer heads. This will allow you to customize the hammer to the task at hand. I found the handle fits the hand well and the hammer balances so you get the most power with each strike. The handle is a hard polymer wrapped with a softer more “grippy” polymer. When driving out fitted takedown/pivot pins on one of my ARs, the hammer did not slip nor did the non-marring punch damage the finish of the AR I was working on. I venture to say you will not find another kit this complete with a $39.99 price point.
If you own an AR, you have to have an armorers’ tool to do any work on the lower receiver. The Armorers’ Master Wrench that retails at $59.99 is a major improvement over a GI-style wrench.
The most innovative AR tool I have seen is the Armorer’s Master Wrench. This is a close-up of the brass hammer installed on the AMW, showing the free float wrench and ½” torque wrench insert.
A traditional GI style armorers’ wrench uses a single pin to attach to the receiver extension nut to remove or tighten it. If it is really snug more often than not you end up slipping off the nut and damaging one of the pin notches. Real Avid’s Master Wrench engages three of the four notches so you exert force evenly on the nut, making it easier remove or install.
The barrel nut tool engages five of the pins on a traditional barrel nut. This again makes removal and installation easier by exerting even torque on the nut. If you flip the Master Wrench over it will work on most free float barrel nuts as well.
Inside the barrel nut wrench is a muzzle brake wrench. Putting this wrench inside closer to the handle again increases your torque to making it easier to remove the muzzle brake. Centered on the handle is a ½” drive for a torque wrench.
Real Avid has designed the Master Wrench to be a hammer with interchangeable heads. The three interchangeable hammer heads; brass, hard/soft polymer are stored in the handle and lock in with a spring detent. On the opposite side is a steel hammer. Under each hammerhead are the torque specifications for the barrel/receiver nuts and muzzle brake so you have them at hand when working on your AR.
For your range bag I suggest two of Real Avid’s original tools: the AR Tool and Pistol Tool. These are a couple of Real Avid’s first tools that TheGunMag looked at back in 2015, but they are worth mentioning again. They are two tools that I carry in my range bag, because they are indispensable.
The Real Avid pistol tool’s most prominent feature is the bushing wrench for a GM/OM which is also the “hammer” to aid in removing various pins with the 3/32” punch. You will also find a bit driver to hold the six included bits that fit the most common screws on handguns. Under the bit driver is a fine tool metal file to aid in fitting a sight. For those with laser sights you will find four Bondhus Protanium hex wrenches to adjust the beam. The last tool is the 3” tanto blade because all tools need a knife to open targets, cut bands on ammunition or whatever other use you need a knife for.
Real Avid’s AR and Pistol tools have all the tools you’ll need at the range and they are easily carried in your range bag.
The AR Tool will fix or clean most everything on an AR; to clean everything you will need a cleaning kit. You will find the AR Tool will allow you to detail strip an AR, scrape all the angles around the bolt carry groups, open a bolt that has been jammed from a double feed, easily adjust sights, install optics, etc.
Like its contemporaries, the Real Avid AR Tool is a set of folding needle nose pliers; but these are spring loaded making operation easier. What sets this tool apart from others is the 10-function bolt/firing pin/cam scraper to facilitate more thorough cleaning of the bolt to ensure proper function. The inclusion of a multi-bit driver ensures you do not have to look for a bit to snug up sights, optics, etc. Another tool that is included but often overlooked is a sight tool to adjust both four and five pin front sights. Still another tool that makes short work of double feeds is the bolt override that folds into the handle; this tool allows you to quickly retract the bolt to clear the weapon. When folded, the non-jointed end acts as a drive hammer and there is a glass breaker built in too.
Over the years I have seen a lot of tools for firearms, but Real Avid’s tools are hard to beat. They are well made and affordable. These tools will make repairs, mounting optics, cleaning and general maintenance a lot easier. You will find Real Avid makes it easier to keep your firearms in working order. When your firearms are properly maintained, it is easier to shoot straight, shoot fast and to have fun on the range or in the field.
