Quick Tip: Tools Every Gun Owner Needs

Brownells Gun Techs Steve Ostrem and Caleb Savant pool their experience and wisdom (and good looks!) to tell us about some tools every gun owner should have. They're not talking about hardcore DIY folks or professional gunsmiths - just what an average gun owner needs for basic repairs and adjustments. Get good-quality gunsmithing screwdrivers, such as a Brownells Magna-Tip® set, for adjusting sights, changing grips, installing optics, and other tasks. A set of "Allen" or hex wrenches is needed for similar tasks. Have a good-quality cleaning rod, both to clean the bore AND to check the bore for obstructions at the range. A nylon bench block will protect the dining room table from permanent damage when you're removing or installing pins in a gun. You'll need a set of pin punches and a hammer for driving those pins in and out, too. How often do you feel like you need three hands? A bench vise solves that - and if it prevents you from dropping a gun on a concrete floor just once, it's paid for itself! Make sure you have any special tools - for example, a 1911 bushing wrench or a Glock® armorer's tool - required for the guns you own. Finally, DON'T FORGET the safety glasses. Pins and springs can unexpectedly pop out of guns with considerable force, so protect those eyes!
Plenty more firearm info and advice where this came from: www.brownellsvideos.com

[@mikecampbell5856]

One of my favorite tools is my magnetic dish.

[@dennistate9951]

My favorite. When I work on my truck too

[@wildyracing1]

Came here to write exactly this. A magnetic tray is very beneficial, especially for smaller pins, screws and springs.

[@shawnr771]

A small set of good files for removing burrs. A dental pick for cleaning tight corners.

[@YahLovesYou86]

I use a set of plastic picks all the time to clean my handguns.

[@deathb4digital]

I use thorns from a shrub. Super pointy and will never scratch or mar. Best of all... Free!

[@shawnr771]

@@deathb4digital I cleaned several machine guns many years ago. Thorns would not have lasted very long scraping carbon out of the receivers. but if it works for you keep doing it.

[@john-paulsilke893]

Files are for experts. Good on you if you have the skills. I’d start out with stones and work up to files. Or hey if it’s not an expensive or rare gun, you can learn a lot by making mistakes, it’s how we all learn best.

[@shawnr771]

@@john-paulsilke893 I am no expert. Stones are nice unless the burr is in a tight spot. Like the edge of a locking lug.

[@Tadicuslegion78]

Some kind of mat to protect your table from all the oils and grease

[@shawnr771]

Sunday newspaper used to work pretty well but it wont keep oil off the dining room table.

[@john-paulsilke893]

I use puppy pee pads. Bonus is they are disposable if they get really gross.

[@appalachiangunman9589]

I use an old ragged bath towel.

[@shawnr771]

@@appalachiangunman9589 I use a few layers of newspaper.

[@AaronSmith-vx4pp]

I use liberal tears

[@G2niverse]

Torque screwdriver... nothing worse than over torquing a screw and stripping it or under torquing and having it back out. The wheeler is my go to everytime I add an attachment or optic.

[@TheEaglekun]

Or even worse I've seen a smith torque a head clean off .... had to wait an additional 3 days to get my firearm back

[@ATINKERER]

Yepper, an inch torque wrench/screwdriver can save you a lot of grief.

[@robhtp3817]

That’s what I was gonna say, any suggestions? Are the Wheeler brand the cheaper but ok for us beginners?

[@G2niverse]

@@robhtp3817 the best to get wheeler fat wrench

[@garand1911]

You forgot a dictionary of 4 letter phrases, for when a spring shoots a detent pin across the room, for the 4th time.

[@CalebSavant]

I thing I have them memorized at this point.

[@shawnr771]

They were drilled into me in the military.

[@jefferyjones5167]

I would recommend Harper Collins 'American Slang'. That way you don't have to make stuff up as you go.

[@shawnr771]

@@jefferyjones5167 Much more fun to be creative.

[@thelastminuteman7513]

On that note I recommend not setting up your bench in a room that has a dark colored shaggy carpet. Light and short carpet or no carpet like I tell my wife.

[@phitaujwalk]

A hook and pick set.

[@drysori]

I would add a set of torx bits.

[@VAMobMember]

drysori they would be part of the screw drive set they showed at the begining

[@BT1776]

Needle nose pliers, tweezers and polymer type tools are good additions too.

[@26longlongtime]

Gotta make sure you have 30 different sized flat heads and no torx bits

[@boss350z5]

I build guns, computers and cars... you can never have enough bits... also, don't forget a good Torx set! More and more optics mounts and other various other components now are using torx screws.

[@didamnesia3575]

If you build computers what you really need is a Swiss army knife and am Allen wrench... 😆 🤣 😂

[@boss350z5]

@@didamnesia3575 IFIXIT bit set for me; but hey different strokes I guess... LOL

[@didamnesia3575]

@@boss350z5 it was a joke based on a The Verge video on how to build a PC. I guess you missed that whole thing. No worries. If you watch the video it's good for a laugh

[@Vod_MacDuff]

@@didamnesia3575 Don't forget your "zip ties".

[@didamnesia3575]

@@Vod_MacDuff and my anti static livestrong wrist band lol

[@UrNotThatGuyPal]

A vise is invaluable.

[@davidunderwood3605]

Yea I would say a good bore light and or strong little flashlight and a strong magnifier, but most of all a bench pan or box to keep those screws and pins in while workinking on the firearm. I prefere a magnitic bench pan, so if i bump that pan the parts stay in it.

[@john-paulsilke893]

Best $5 ever spent. Doesn’t have to be a good one either. After I bought a cheap Harbour Freight magnet pan I went out and got some really good ones and liberally places them around the places I need them. Heck I have one in the front of my truck and you’d be surprised how often that gets used.

[@davidunderwood3605]

@@john-paulsilke893 yepper. I used the get free coupons from them a couple of times to get mine. One thing I found was their magnets were stronger than the adhesive used to attatch the magnet to the pan. Roughing up the bottom with 50 grit and cleaning with alcohol I then used epoxy to reattatch it I also removed a couple of large ceramic magnets from old 3 way car speakers and epoxied them to some small stainless pet food bowls and made the same. One just to hold oiler pump can for the drill press.

[@ryanpeck3377]

If you shoot steel case ammo at all its a good idea to keep action parts from getting magnetized

[@ryanortiz6783]

I've had the same bench block since high school. Just a foot long 2x4 that I drilled different sized holes in at school. 🤷‍♂️ just an idea

[@TheEaglekun]

I've always used a role of tape. It uses less room lol I've used your way too and cut v notches out of it so it can better grip the bolts

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

what I was thinking but it might be hard to wipe clean

[@TheEaglekun]

@@Eduardo_Espinoza I've actually never had a problem with it as long as the sides arnt gummy

[@john-paulsilke893]

Eaglekun ! Ya the duct tape thing is super useful and I’ve seen proper smiths using a roll. Plus you can pull off a piece and stick screws and parts to it, (not the most reliable but still decent.)

[@feedinc2735]

Trigger pull gauge, loctite, files, roll pin punches are also tools I grab fairly often.

[@Modern_Warrior_School]

I'd add a torque wrench. Any time you use a screwdriver or Allen wrench, you've got to he sure everything is torqued down to spec.

[@ihurricane7]

My lap/thigh is my vice block and my armorer's wrench is my hammer. All you need is a punch, Allan keys, armorer's wrench, bore snakes, screwdriver/flathead

[@jakeweston8616]

These two guys are sooo laid back when they make these videos.

[@robertjensen1094]

Tooth picks and q tips.

[@tomkelley9847]

and pipe cleaners

[@germx1488]

How about you guys putting together a gun care kit i would buy that something curated by the Brownell follks I bet would sell well

[@GCJT1949]

For the new and panic stricken a compact cleaning kit for 5.56 rifle and 9mm pistol with appropriate instructions. In a portable and durable package. Geoff Who notes his kit has expanding to fill a small tool box.

[@johnleake708]

great place for all sorts of gun supplies and just great tools. I have been a Brownells customer since college in the 1970’s

[@Chris-pq8oj]

I love my guns and love all my tools that i use on them , always love spending time in my basement bench working on my rifles or just loading always a escape and a good time

[@michaeldoe4805]

I find the silicone craft mats very useful. Non slip, lays flat, cleans easy, non scratch, lasts forever

[@Snowy0123]

Don't forget to get a little bit of C4 or dynamite to remove front sight taper pins on your a2 fsp AR

[@ergosum5260]

soft jaws for your vice, and the ex-wife's dining table

[@nickstarks22]

I really wish you would include the actual part numbers for the items you're talking about, either in the video or in the comments. I realize you can't link to the website and all, but just the Brownells part number would suffice.

[@aholegunner]

Thats a great idea. Thats pretty much what GlockStore does in their videos. They are a great example of how to do that. Every single one of their products that is shown in their videos, they have a pop up with a little picture & part number of the product. Its a greay way to do it. Some videos they literally show 15 to 20 different products(money hounds). Too bad GlockStore lost my support during freedom week 1.0, when they screwed over California residents who ordered magazines from their website. Long story but they are ultimately a bunch of weasles from what I hear. They are in California and screwed over California pro-gun residents.

[@aholegunner]

@@muskietime It was when it was legal tho. Full capacity magazines became legal for 1 week(Known as freedom week 1.0) and they took orders, but never shipped the stuff out. Then issued refunds. In other words, people couldve ordered from other places and actually received them. All glockstore did was screw CA gun owners. Being a CA company, that really irritates me.

[@jacobcastro1885]

@@aholegunner "Freedom Week" Ha! If you still live in CA it's hard for me to feel sorry for you.

[@ChristianGrest]

Definitely a great list of must-have tools there. I've had my Starrett punch set for many, many years and it's probably one of my most used tools. there's probably a ton of things that can be added to that list, but I'd definitely throw in a mat of some sort and some tape to protect finish areas from oops when driving in roll pins. Good stuff fellas!

[@robertfree1908]

Thanks for this one. Always nice to have a reminder of what you’re forgetting to take to the range or the bench! I’m glad to see that Dewey rod. There are other good ones. But Deweys are my fave

[@sartainja]

A big pack of multiple size cotton swabs from Harbor Freight which cost under $4.00 is a must for easy cleaning job on your firearm.

[@WardenWolf]

I recommend a Boxer BX100 kit. It has hex bits in both English and Metric, Torx bits (regular and secure), straightblade, Philips, and every weird type you can think of. A rubber mallet is also a nice thing to have.

[@AnthonySmith-cv1td]

I noticed the Vickers Tactical patch on the upper right corner of the safe door in the background. Good stuff!

[@justsomeguy3931]

Great info about gear, as always. I like BoreSnakes, but I keep the cleaning rod in my AK just so I've always got it. I've never needed it, but 3 times for 3 different AR guys with 3 different rifles on 3 different days it's got spent casings with ripped rims unstuck out of their chambers ;) I like that the AK comes with a cleaning/maintenance kit in the stock, useful for a great many things! Glad I didn't see anything here that I needed, it's all covered, even tho I don't have a lot of these specific tools lol. And yeah, I've taken a recoil spring plug from a 1911R1 to the eye, even using a bushing wrench - eye pro would have helped lol. My Leatherman Wave has most of what I need. I own a Glock tool, but haven't ever had to use it, even for taking the slide apart and pulling stuff out of the frame. I learned without one, so it's just one of those cheap nice things to have

[@dingo5208]

I like my tipton best gun vise with the AR receiver block. I have a vise as well, but sometimes for a light job or cleaning, it helps.

[@qedsteve]

My safety glasses have bi-focal feature. I need a plus 2 diopter. Much handier than switching back and forth between reading glasses and safety glasses. Also have tinted bi-focals for range work. I enjoy your shows!

[@mohammedcohen]

...can't beat a good set of Starrett punches...proudly made in Atholl, MA...always wondered what the residents of Atholl called themselves...

[@basilstaros5730]

The only gun that i know of that doesn't have pins, is the C96 Broomhandle, yet i still use a pin to help in compressing the rocker plunger.

[@jimsiress9687]

Parallel Pliers my friends. Available in several sizes & in smooth jaw & serrated jaw. Would advise both along with one set that includes a pin vise groove machined into one of the jaws. TORX head driver bits or at least the 90 degree TORX tools. Then let's not forget a roll pin punch set as well.

[@danielcurtis8746]

Out of all of those I need a cleaning rod like that, I have the same setup believe that or not. But I need a good cleaning rod like what is being showed, and great video as always.

[@stuartmarkman769]

I carry 2 aluminum rods too the range for knocking out duds. They are soft so they wont scratching the bore and I have an eighth inch for 22s and a quarter inch one for bigger rounds. They are 10 inches long and work well in all my pistols.

[@j.a.2461]

I like your videos and I would like a link added for the for each of the products you presented. Thank you for the work you do.

[@plymcousa3002]

Always helpful!

[@futuresonex]

"Lots of springs in those guns. They fly everywhere...even when they're not supposed to." - Yep! I still haven't found the basepad retaining plate from the last magazine I took apart. Finally got the new spring installed, and lost the basepad retaining plate in the process. So the damn thing still doesn't work! Another tool that's really handy is a small clamp-on vise. They don't cost much. They don't have to be permanently mounted. You can use them on the kitchen counter if that's the only place you've got to work, and you can take them to the range with you.

[@saltyroe3179]

Small parts holding tray. My favorite is are the rubbery ones

[@brandonbeard8488]

A magnetizer/demagnetizer for the screwdriver bits and Allen heads, especially if you have small screws you don't want to lose when taking them out of tight spots

[@KendrasEdge757]

Dental pick, needle nose pliers-pliers, and roll pin punches for roll pins-CZ’s, AR’s, etc. and a magnetic tray to keep your pins and springs from ending up in the carpet lost forever.

[@shawnr771]

Worse I had 1911 firing pin and spring launch over my shoulder when i was removing the firing block, Found it like a year later it made it to the top of shelf in a closet over the top of the bed linens. I went and bought a new one. Now I got two.

[@KendrasEdge757]

Shawn R nice!

[@RyanJohnson-pz4tb]

Torch to heat up metal for tight fits

[@Farmer-bh3cg]

An auto fender mat, cut to size, helps prevent scarring the table. Torx-headed screws are becoming more and more common on firearms. The plastic bag idea is a great one as is the fine file (try a good quality nailfile) dental pick and old toothbrushes. In short, add the tools you've had to go searching for...

[@danliberty734]

You need a good cleaning mat to protect the surfaces of the firearm and the table. I like the Lyman mats because they have wells to hold small parts and to keep rolling parts from rolling away.

[@Steveindajeep]

A hollow ground screwdriver set is so essential (like you showed). NO, a bunch of various size screw drivers will not do. Roll pin punches, and holders BRASS punches as well as the steel ones.

[@chrisboyd1408]

Great video!

[@johndeotte3229]

I wish I had a bench block a few years ago, my dis too. She wasn’t happy.

[@archaicsage4803]

Safety glasses are an absolute must! I can't tell you how many springs I have launched into the stratosphere...

[@frosty3693]

The hammer is needed but it also has another feature, it is smaller and lighter which helps to keep you from hitting something too hard. An even smaller hammer is useful for some of the same reasons. An item you had on the table that you could have mentioned is vice jaw inserts so you can clamp a part, or gun, in the vice with much less chance of damaging it. Your rubber padded magnetic jaw inserts are nice. Your screwdriver set has two drivers one short one long, nice. Also they are the same size of other bits like torex to make it even more useful.

[@MichaelLeopold1]

Helpful, thanks

[@firstcynic92]

Also torx wrenches. And a torque wrench/screwdriver. And cleaning materials.

[@VAMobMember]

I don’t disagree with you list but I do STRONGLY OBJECT to the order. You should have STARTED with the full cleaning kit

[@SlickSixguns]

Definitely an armorers block brass punches and mallet

[@bemo4313]

I really enjoy all your videos. Thanks guys. Could you make one about expected barrel life span ? (Handgun & Rifle)

[@brownells]

Thank you! ...and that would be a tough one because everyone trains differently and at different levels. The more rounds through the barrel the less time itll take to wear out.

[@craigroberts6439]

Thanks for the video. These two look like they would be the life of any party. It would be great if you would put your catalogue number on the screen like the Glock Store does. Makes it easy for customers to find this stuff on you web site.

[@paulfryejr2918]

Thanks good tips. I have most of those tools.

[@johnwesley8327]

Brownell's makes the best Glock take down tool and Glock front sight tool. Just received mine this afternoon and they are the best.

[@brownells]

Thank you so much!

[@deezTX]

yall got the best gun how to... tips / busters, ete... videos online. even better than midway

[@JW--dc8ri]

Trigger pull gauge is a good one, as well as maglula magazine loader

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

Sometimes the inch Hex Key set fits better than the Metric on Metric Fasteners even on new Honda fasteners with a new SAE Key set (no beating in) it it fits like a lego piece

[@benkanobe7500]

Hey Guys! I always listen to you (now two) for my "gun" advice. I have a suggestion on these KZbins where you show Brownell's products: Please provide a Link(s) to the product(s). I was going to purchase that screwdriver set and just assumed there would be a link. Nope! Thanks again for the great information!

[@jakehartley2802]

C.a.t m-4 tool… torq head bits… torque wrenches… small files… dremel… etc

[@TerminalM193]

Eyepro is PARAMOUNT! I had to learn the hard way...

[@jhscheppele2448]

I looked on your website for the Red cased punch pins set I saw a hundred tiny pictures of over priced tools, but not what I was looking for.

[@CalebSavant]

www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/punches/565-pin-punch-set-prod12625.aspx

[@TheREALLibertyOrDeath]

Vice is my number one with a couple pieces of wood

[@criagcundiff2469]

Every gun owner should have at least one bore light. IMO. And a magnetic parts tray is great to have for keeping those small parts from wandering away.

[@p.hightower5383]

Good one.

[@wb2194]

For ARs there is a tool for installing the take down pin detente.

[@GCJT1949]

A plastic pin punch for all sorts of weapon field stripping, especially Modern Sporting Rifles / Pistols, buy a half-dozen and give some away to pretty girls at the range. Geoff Who notes an M-16 firing pin with the tip ground off and a Swiss Army Knife was a vital addition to the US Army Small Arms Repairman's toolbox back in the 1970s.

[@MazerDavid]

5:00 if you are a shooter, you should have the eye pro anyway for the range. But this is a good list.

[@thelastminuteman7513]

I started some spring cleaning a few weeks ago and decided to sell a mini-14 forend rail I never used on ebay. Someone bought it almost immediately and when he received it he decided to message me and complain he wanted his money back because it didn't come with the allen keys. I grabbed one of my 10 spare sets from the garage I don't use anymore and sent him an offer of $10 for the set and asked him how do you own firearms and I'm assuming a vehicle or 2 but no allen keys? He didn't respond.

[@eduardogallardo9474]

Armorer's wrench!

[@mohammedcohen]

...just bought a sheet of magnetic 'paper' to make my own magnetic tray - I have a small one bought YEARS ago from Brownells...just need a cookie sheet/tray or the like...

[@jcoats150]

Thanks.

[@globalvision9036]

Would love links to Brownells for each item in description. Definitely more likely to buy.

[@brownells]

We cannot due to KZbin regulations.

[@rottiesrule5285]

i find a good set of hemostats has quite a few uses

[@jasonbyrd5150]

I am a decent gun smith myself. Or at least I would say. LOL but I really appreciate the content you guys put out. Very thoughtful and informational. Keep up the good work! :-)

[@28bull]

I would add an inch-pound torque driver for optics.

[@ezrabrooks12]

Good Video.

[@hulk1043]

Magnetic parts tray

[@joerobertson7887]

Maybe 10% of all the stuff you really need if you're not only cleaning but assembling something like an AR15, like: In. Lb. Torque driver, roll pin guide punches, roll pin punches, bore guide, patches, rags, swabs, picks, nylon and brass brushes, bore cleaning product, grease, oil, bench block for AR mag well, AR bolt cleaning tool or carbon scraper, AR multi tool for barrel nut, buffer castle nut, Ft Lb. torque wrench hole, etc. This could go on and on.

[@tangero3462]

Maybe link to all the products you mentioned in a pinned comment or the video description? I'd like to be able to send this to people as a resource and having the links right there would make it much easier

[@whisperchainsaw102]

Or go to a hardware store. most of these can be found there pretty easy.

[@thelastjohnwayne]

On the Vise.....Steve and Caleb should have talked about the NYLON grips mounted in that Vise to protect the firearm.

[@vicerichter1163]

i wish I had a work room like that. Lol

[@chrischiampo7647]

Thanks Steve n Caleb I Like a Good Set of Brass Punches Also 😀😎

[@Forwardoperationbase]

What the difference between brass and just normal metal?? Thank you

[@chrischiampo7647]

Colt chocolate lab Brass Doesn’t Mark Up The Finish on The Firearms It’s Softer Than the Steel Finish on The Firearms

[@Forwardoperationbase]

@@chrischiampo7647 oh wow, interesting. Thanks for the info

[@bosco358]

A magnifying glass cause at 56 years old , I can’t see those tine screws and parts .

[@D3ATH222]

Informative and wholesome. Thanks.

[@mdredheadguy1979]

Question, what about a collapsable cleaning rod? Would that suffice?

[@bryanshaw4434]

Don't forget bandaids.

[@brownells]

Word!

[@fosterdl1]

So, where do you get the replacement tips for that nice brass/nylon hammer. I bought one from Brownells years ago and it is in need of refreshing.

[@CalebSavant]

We sell em'!

[@michaelkullas2031]

Lastly, the business card of a qualified gunsmith.

[@karimkhan7140]

What's the product number for that punch set and the cleaning rod?

[@shawnbusick5447]

What brand of vise is that? What jaw plates are you using in your vise?

[@GCJT1949]

Remember, if you order a tiny vital part, get two! Geoff Who found one, still looking for another.

[@brownells]

This is truth!

[@stretcharmstrong6247]

Should you have a roll pin punch set or just a set of standard punches?

[@DatNguyen-gi8pi]

Rolling pin pin set.

[@zaahirismail9591]

Hammer n screwdriver is all I've been using since ww2