Action block recommendations?

[SouthernYank]

I am going to pick up an upper receiver vice (action) block to work on my AR and a review of the available options on Midway and Brownells indicate there are several to choose from. Are they all the same and which one would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

[Griz]

For barreling, I have put together about 20 ARs using one of these with the part that clamps to the carry handle hacksawed off: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=22385/Product/AR-15-M16-UPPER-RECEIVER-ACTION-BLOCK

Be sure to use the insert that goes in where the BC would be.

Do not use the kind that just holds the receiver by 2 pins when you are torquing on a barrel. I use one of those for cleaning or doing about anything except wrenching on the barrel nut. They are very easy to make from a scrap of hardwood if you just need it to hold the upper while you run a cleaning rod through the bore.

Edited March 13, 2012 by Griz

[ChristianHE]

I have both the AR-15 and LR-308 size Delrin action blocks from DPMS, I've built 1 LR-308 and several ar-15 uppers with them, they worked great for me, including torquing the barrel nuts. I put them into a heavy vise which is bolted to a heavy work bench that is lagged to my garage floor. They aren't good for cleaning though as they completely fill up the inside of the uppper, no space for a rod and I don't clean from the muzzle end.

[mpeltier]

For barreling, I have put together about 20 ARs using one of these with the part that clamps to the carry handle hacksawed off: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=22385/Product/AR-15-M16-UPPER-RECEIVER-ACTION-BLOCK

Be sure to use the insert that goes in where the BC would be.

Do not use the kind that just holds the receiver by 2 pins when you are torquing on a barrel. I use one of those for cleaning or doing about anything except wrenching on the barrel nut. They are very easy to make from a scrap of hardwood if you just need it to hold the upper while you run a cleaning rod through the bore.

This is what I use also. And recommend it. Not sure why you would hacksaw off the carry handle part. It works equally well for flat tops or carry handle uppers as is.

[Griz]

This is what I use also. And recommend it. Not sure why you would hacksaw off the carry handle part. It works equally well for flat tops or carry handle uppers as is.

I barrelled a billet upper once that wouldn't fit without hacking off the top of the action block and making a few other relief cuts.

[Matt Griffin]

$45 for both upper and lower, worked perfectly for two builds.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/829522/model-1-armorers-action-block-with-lower-receiver-action-block-ar-15

[AKJD]

I use the two listed below and they both work really well.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=22385/Product/AR-15-M16-UPPER-RECEIVER-ACTION-BLOCK?source=CJ

and

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=17094/Product/AR-15-AR-STYLE-308-UPPER-RECEIVER-BLOCK

For working on lowers I use an old magazine that I filled with Reinforced Bondo that I clamp in the vice.

Edited March 14, 2012 by AKJD

[general_cluster]

I would recomend DPMS's, I am very happy with mine through 5 builds and several reconfigurations. I orginaly got it becasue Mega mandates it usage on their monolithic uppers. Best $40 i have spent in a while.