Essential AR Build Tools from Wheeler (Midsouth Shooters / Delton / Boyds build kick-off)

I’ve got a really cool AR-15 build in the works using Wheeler tools, but YouTube policy won’t allow me to show any of the actual building. Instead, I’ll share my plans and the final product in another video. If you’d like to see the entire process, we’ll be posting it on Rumble!

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About the Build

The foundation of this M4 style build is a Del-Ton kit from Midsouth Shooters Supply. These kits are affordable and contain everything you need. To put it all together, we have some tools from Wheeler and some Boyds furniture.

Last year I attended a media event in Moab with Wheeler where we built an AR-15 and a Polymer-80. There I met some new people and learned some tricks about putting AR’s together.

Wheeler Tools

The Moab trip also introduced me to an abundance of Wheeler tools.

I often use Wheeler’s F.A.T. Stix for installing scopes, rails, and more.

The AR Armorer’s Bench Block has an abundance of features built into it, specific for the various tasks you must perform when working on an AR. It provides a safe surface on which to do heavy work without marring your gun.

Wheeler’s Professional Armorer’s Wrench is one of those versatile tools you have to have in your kit. It includes a mil-spec barrel nut wrench, castle nut wrench, ⅝” fixed stock receiver wrench, ½” torque wrench receiver and ¾” muzzle brake wrench.

The AR-15 Roll Pin Install tool kit includes a bolt catch install tool kit, AR trigger guard install tool, start punches, driver punches, and a two-sided hammer, all within a custom fit storage case.

Something new to me was the Upper Receiver Action Rod, which I used during the Moab trip. Our Del-Ton kit has a pre-assembled upper, but we may still need the action rod when installing the Boyds furniture.

To keep everything steady, Wheeler offers the Delta Series AR Upper/Pic Rail Vise Block which accommodates both AR-15’s and AR-10’s.

Last but not least is my favorite of Wheeler’s AR tools, the AR Pivot Pin/Roll Pin Install Tool. See it in action on Rumble!

About the Midsouth Shooters Supply Del-Ton Kit

It took a few minutes to lay out the contents of the AR-15 16” Heavy Carbine Del-Ton Rifle kit from Midsouth Shooters Supply.

From Midsouth Shooters Supply:

Product Overview:

The Del-Ton AR-15 16 Inch Heavy Carbine Rifle Kit comes with everything you need to build your next modern sporting rifle, minus a stripped lower receiver. It includes a fully assembled, headspaced, and test fired upper receiver, lower parts kit and buttstock.

Barrel:

- Chrome Moly Vanadium
- M4 Feed Ramps
- 16 Inch Length
- 1×9 Twist
- A2 Flash Hider
- Manganese Phosphated
- Phosphated under Front Sight Base
- Taper Pins in F-marked Front Sight Base
- Threaded Muzzle
- Heavy Profile

Chamber:

- 5.56x45mm NATO

Bolt And Carrier:

- Phosphated 8620 Steel Carrier Assembly
- Carpenter 158 Bolt HPT/MPI Tested
- Heat Treated and Plated
- Mil-Spec
- Chrome Lined Carrier Interior
- Carrier Key – Chrome Lined, attached with Grade 8 Screws
- Properly Staked & Sealed Gas Key

Handguards:

- Carbine Length
- Aluminum Delta Ring
- Single Heat Shield

Upper Receiver:

- Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum
- A3 Flat Top with M4 Feed Ramps
- Hard Coat Anodized
- Mil-Spec
- Ejection Port Cover and Round Forward Assist
- Right Hand Ejection
- Bore’s surface is coated with dry film lube, over the anodized surface

Buttstock:

- M4 5 Position
- Reinforced Fiber
- Mil-Spec Sized Tube

Additional Notes:

- Includes Lower Parts Kit
- Does not include stripped lower receiver, rear sights, or magazines

The upper receiver comes fully assembled. You do need a stripped lower receiver, rear sight, and magazine.

Boyd’s AR-15 Furniture

Though a departure from the conventional, I’ve seen builds completed with Boyds nutmeg furniture and really like the aesthetic. While I’ll build the Del-Ton kit first, I will eventually upgrade the rifle with the Boyds buttstock, grip, and handguard.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for Rumble-exclusive videos covering the primary build and Boyds furniture upgrade. We will also have a final YouTube video covering the results.