Who is Wheeler Engineering? Ultimate Guide Before You Buy

How many people have searched the internet to find the proper tools to build a custom AR or wanted to get into gunsmithing? Most of the people I know have started out the same way; buying an AR-15 and realizing they. could make it better with the right tools. My friends and I are military trained and know a lot about guns, but we’re not equipped with the tools needed to safely and correctly build our own custom ARs.

Wheeler Engineering comes into the picture because they have everything you need to make your arsenal better and customized to your specific needs. This blog is dedicated to informing the public about who Wheeler is and what they can do for you. Whether you’re wanting to build a custom rifle or just wanting to be able to mount a scope properly, Wheeler has everything you need to do so.

Wheeler AR Tools

Wheeler has over 100 products designed to help you build your AR and become a better gunsmith but we’re unable to list all 100 products because this blog would be a book. However, we can focus our attention on the products that you’re going to need to get started and you can do your own research based on your personal needs. Instead of focusing on individual parts, I think it’s best to discuss the kits that are available to ensure you have everything you need to build your own AR.

There are 3 kits that Wheeler sells to ensure you can safely and securely build an AR in the comfort of your own home. The AR Armorers Essential Kit, the AR Armorers Professional Kit, and the AR Armorers Ultra Kit are the 3 kits that will help you build your own AR at home. Each kit is designed for the varying levels of experience and includes more parts based on the armorers’ needs.

The AR Armorers Essential Kit

The AR Armorers Essential Kit is designed as a beginner AR build kit for gun owners who have never built an AR before. The Essential Kit is the most affordable of the kits and includes everything you need to complete a full rifle build. If you’re not wanting to build your own and need the tools for regular maintenance or need to make repairs, the Essential Kit will give you all you need to do so. The Armorers Essential Kit is only $141.99 and comes with a custom-fitted carrying case to travel with you wherever you need to go. If you’re new to gunsmithing, this is a great way t get started without investing too much money.

Essential Kit Includes

1. AR-15 combo tool
2. Torque wrench
3. Upper vise block clamp w/gas tube alignment tool
4. Pivot pin and roll pin installation tool
5. Mag well vise block
6. AR-15 adjustable receiver link
7. Custom fitted carrying case

The AR Armorers Professional Kit

The AR Armorers Professional Kit is the next step up from the Essential Kit and includes 19 tools for AR gunsmithing. The Professional Kit is designed for professional gunsmiths who own small businesses. For example, I’ve considered starting my own small business to build custom ARs and pistols out of my garage for friends and family members. As with everyone in America, I’ve always dreamed about being my own boss and living the American Dream. If I were to pull the trigger (pun intended) and start my own gunsmithing business, I would for sure buy the Professional Kit to start with. 

AR Armorer’s Professional Kit

$259.99

at Wheeler

VIEW DETAILS

Prices accurate at time of writing

The AR Armorer’s Ultra Kit is the most comprehensive gunsmithing kit on the market for individual gunsmiths. The Ultra Kit comes with only 2 extra parts from the Professional Kit (#4,#5). However, having your own AR-15 Bench Block and AR-15 Roll Pin Installation Tool Kit will make your life instantly easier and allow you to cut down on installation time. As everyone knows, time is money and if you’re running a business like gunsmithing, the more guns you’re able to put together, the more money you’re able to make.

The AR Bench Block allows you to secure the tiny parts of an AR, such as the spring, detent, or firing pin while installing them into your bolt carrier group. The AR bench Block prevents you from scratching the metal parts of your receivers, sights, or charging handle during installation. The AR-15 Roll Pin Kit is also designed to make life easier and ensure your quality of work is maintained at the highest degree for your customers. Gunsmiths without this type of tool often mar their gun or gun components because they have to use tools meant for other purposes to install the pin. Don’t scratch or destroy your gun because you don’t have the right tools for the job, just buy the Ultra Kit. 

The Ultra Kit Includes

1. AR-15 AR Armorer’s Vise
2. AR-15 Combo Tool
3. Torque Wrench
4. AR-15 Armorer’s Bench Block
5. AR-15 Roll Pin Installation Tool Kit
6. Upper Vise Block Clamp with Gas Tube Alignment Tool
7. Maintenance Mat with Exploded AR-15 Diagram
8. Pivot Pin & Roll Pin Installation Tool
9. AR Front Sight Tool
10. Delta Ring Tool
11. Strap Wrench
12. AR-15 Bore Guide
13. AR-15 Adjustable Receiver Link
14. .22 Cal Bore Brush
15. Bolt Carrier Brush
16. Chamber Brush
17. Magazine/Upper Receiver Brush
18. Nylon Brush Handle
19. Double-ended General Cleaning Brush
20. Cleaning Pick Set
21. Custom Fitted Carrying Case

Scope Mounting

Whether you’re a hunter, soldier, or just an American concerned with protecting yourself and your family, a scope or optic can make a huge difference in your capabilities. It doesn’t matter how nice or expensive your gun is if you don’t have your sights or scopes installed correctly. You could be Chris Kyle but if you don’t have your scope leveled and zeroed in properly, you won’t hit anything you’re aiming at. However, you can avoid all that with the proper equipment from Wheeler Engineering. 

Scope Mounting Kit

The Scope Mounting Kit from Wheeler is perfect for gunsmiths who want to properly align, attach, and level their scope on their gun. This kit includes everything you need to align your scope with incredible precision. I personally use the 1-piece Cantilever with the anti-cant mechanism built into it to ensure that my scope is level, especially for longer shots. However, if you’re a gunsmith or just wanting to be as precise as possible, this is a great way to learn how to get the most out of your scope. Using the Scope Mounting Kit with the Professional Laser bore Sighter will give you the highest level of precision possible in the shortest amount of time. As a businessman/woman, this is instrumental in the sustainability and growth of your business. 

Scope Mounting Kit Includes

1. F.A.T. Wrench® 
2. 10 Gunsmithing Screwdriver Bits
3. Level-Level-Level
4. 1" Scope Ring Lapping Bar
5. 1" Scope Ring Alignment Bars
6. Lapping Bar Handle
7. Lapping Compound
8. Thread Lock

Professional Laser Bore Sighter

A laser bore sighter is designed to test and ensure your barrel isn’t warped or defunct in some way. I personally don’t use a laser bore sighter, but I haven’t built my own rifle from individual parts. The Wheeler Laser Bore Sighter uses a high-powered green laser that is visible in daylight and connects directly to the barrel for rapid bore sighting. It’s built from heavy-duty aluminum and protects the barrel with a rubber molding that attaches to the barrel. This prevents scratches to the finish of the barrel and receiver so your rifle will keep its finish and ensure durability and longevity. 

Ultra Scope Mounting Kit

The Ultra Scope Mounting Kit includes everything listed above in the Scope Mounting section and provides a nice hard plastic carrying case to keep it all together. If I were a professional gunsmith, this is the kit I’d buy because it includes everything that I’d need for professional-quality scope mounting. One of the nice features in the kit is the thread locker and lens pen that ensure your scope is secure and clean even with the strongest caliber rifles. Overall this kit is $270.00 and includes everything you’ll ever need to mount your scope properly. 

Ultra Scope Mounting Kit Includes

1. F.A.T. Wrench® 
2. 9 Gunsmithing Screwdriver Bits
3. Level-Level-Level
4. 1" Scope Ring Lapping Bar
5. 1" Scope Ring Alignment Bars
6. Lapping Bar Handle
7. Lapping Compound
8. Thread Lock
9. Professional Laser bore Sighter
10. Reticle Leveling System

Wheeler Workshop

The Wheeler Workshop reminds me of a lot of the Brownells gunsmithing services but doesn’t include gunsmiths on call. The workshop is a collection of articles and how-to videos that will guide you along your gunsmithing journey. I highly recommend you watching the videos and reading the articles to show you exactly how to use their equipment. I’ve seen a lot of negative reviews about the quality of their vices and bench blocks. The reason most people are having issues with the products is they’re not using them correctly. You can avoid most of your issues by reading the manuals that come with the products or going to the workshop and learning everything you can about each product you buy.