best gun vice

[Smith & Hammer]

recently retired and have always wanted to learn gunsmithing. I been collecting some basic tools, punches, screw driver kit, and a couple soft hammers, but I need a good gun vice to start. will primarily start on handguns and maybe work up to rifles later.
any other tool advice would be great as well.


thanks Bryce

 

[Eric300]

I don't know if this is the 'Best' but it works fine for both long guns and handguns. It's a Tipton Ultra Gun Vise. Tipton makes a couple different models. MTM and Birchwood Casey make a few as well.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I think the best gun vice is Smith & Wesson. My favorite one, anyway.

 

[CalifEd]

^^^^^
I saw what you did there.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Pretty sneaky there Protocall.

 

[jem102]

I think the best gun vice is Smith & Wesson. My favorite one, anyway.

Well, the pistol smith is also a "Word" smith...

 

[toad67]

Over the years, I've acquired a few different ones. The two that stand out are the Tipton:
Ultra Gun Vise | Cleaning, Maintenance, Gunsmithing | Tipton
But recently, I bought a Newavid vise and am really liking it. Completely different type of mouse trap.
Master Gun Vise(R) – REAL AVID(R)
Watch the realavid video to see how neat it is. It would work for just about anything that you need to hold at a different angle.

 

[armorer951]

The type of vise you need will depend on what kind of work you intend to do. If you are going to be doing light work on your own firearms, a heavy, permanently mounted vise may not be necessary.

Wilton markets some very good quality "clamp on" style vises with various size jaws that are not horribly expensive and can serve as a small bench vise that can be used as a 'third hand' when needed. These types of tools can also be moved easily off the bench and out of the way, or placed in another location, or even stored when not needed. Many of Wilton's products have lifetime warranties.

If you will be doing a lot of drilling and other types of work on a drill press, then you will also need a quality drill vise for holding your work.

The sky is the limit on prices when considering a quality vise, so you'll have to weigh the costs involved and come up with a choice based on your future needs.

In my experience, it's always best to buy the highest quality tools you can afford. High quality tools can often serve a lifetime if properly cared for, and will give you the results that are expected.

Sorry to go on and on.....but my advise would also include buying or checking out of your local library any and all the shop manuals by Jerry Kuhnhausen. They contain a bunch of valuable information and illustrations you can't find anywhere else, and they will save you a lot of money and trouble.... if you actually read them.


Wilton 11754 4" Cradle Style Angle Drill Press Vise | FastoolNow.com

Wilton 63247 CBV-100, Super-Junior 4" Vise with Clamp On Swivel Base | FastoolNow.com

TFB Armorer’s Bench: 10 Essential Home Armorer/Gunsmith ToolsThe Firearm Blog




Carter

 

[chief38]

I use a Wilton 5.5" vise and have made 8 or 9 special jigs for it to hold what I want without causing any damage. Some of the jigs are lined with wood, some a soft 1/4" thick plastic called Sintra, some a thick 9 oz. leather and some copper. Depending on what kind of gun I am clamping depends on what I use. I used to use soft Lead, but that is now a known no no.

 

[Imissedagain]

A vise on an XY table is useful as well.
Have them for large and small drill presses.

Grip screw spacing on a 1911----3.074"
An Officer----2.665"
That's for a Ruger Officer as Colt doesn't have new
ones in all steel.
I would hope they are the same spacing.

Close is for horseshoes and hand grenades.

 

[Smith & Hammer]

lot of good info, I like the clamp on vice idea always learn something on this forum I know I'll probably start out on light projects like disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, small upgrades like sights, triggers, and such. I have a couple older model revolvers that would be good candidates, as well as a shield 9 and a Beretta to practice on. As time goes by one could expand into a niche or something. been watching a few youtube videos on upgrades and repairs (some good some bad). I think some good books on the subject would also be useful too. I do have a Shopsmith mark 5 with a vertical and horizontal drill press that will be a good start.

I've always been good at learning as you go, and when you get older you learn patience, it's always cheaper.

 

[Smith & Hammer]

I think the best gun vice is Smith & Wesson. My favorite one, anyway.

that link seems like it's half finished or something. couldn't find any vices.

 

[oldbrownhat]

...
Wilton markets some very good quality "clamp on" style vises with various size jaws that are not horribly expensive and can serve as a small bench vise that can be used as a 'third hand' when needed....

Their various jaw caps are good, too.