Made in USA, but lower receiver block doesn't fit most of my firearms
The lower receiver vise block only fit 4 of my 12 ARs. Resorted to sanding the block aggressively until a few more fit, but the polymer melts easily using a power sander, making a bloody mess of the block. I'd stay away from this tool package.
Needs major fitting
Tried it with 6 different AR-15s. Two Colt, Springfield Armory Saint Victor, and three Noreen lowers. Would not seat fully, luckily it was easy to see where the interference was. One side of the block required significant filing (sanding would have taken forever) with a hand file. Didn't trust a Dremel not to be too aggressive. Worked as advertised AFTER fitting but for the price shouldn't have to be fitted.
Block is out of spec
They claim that block may need filing in order to fit. Well that is true. It is wildly out of spec. I can't even get the lower 1/4 of the way onto the block. The lower is a Geissele so I am go with the lower is in spec and this block is not. You would be better off just getting a 2x4 and working it down to the correct size, because that is what you are going to be doing with vise block.
Bad fit
Tried it with my Areo lower and it was tight so i added a little more force, just to get it stuck. Had to hammer it back out. PSA lower fits VERY tightly, only reason for the 2 star. It kinda feels "bloated" a little. Got the BEV block and works far better on both lowers.
Cannot use out of the box
This product cannot be used "out of the box." The description states that it "may require some filing to fit." The block I received requires A LOT of filing to fit into ANY AR-15 magazine well. I tried it in 4 mag wells when I opened the vice block and it was so oversized that it wouldn't go more than 3/4" into almost all of them. Also, the block is a solid, milled piece of urethane that is very tough. But that also means that you will need a heavy duty file to get this to the size you need in order to make it a usable tool. I would recommend a different product/manufacturer that puts a little more effort into milling these down a little more so that it's "tight" but not unusable. Pretty disappointed in Brownells putting out such a poor quality product as this.
Too fat to fit.
Vise block required some careful filing with a wood rasp to fit. Not a difficult job. Quality (fit & finish) of this item is less than what I expect from Brownells.
Great Potential but Flawed Design
I purchased this block in the set with the upper clamp, due to it's popularity, although I've noticed most gun smiths seem to be moving away from it. Once home, I discovered that the lower block does not fit into any of my AR lowers, which covers 4 (top) AR models. Looking at the shape of the block, I can see that it is concave (wider on the ends). It's not just snug, it doesn't fit at all - any of the lowers I tried. Reading more about the block, I learned that it does require fitting before use. That means in order to use this tool, I have to permanently modify it's shape. No tool should require permanent modification before it can be used; that's a design flaw. Fitting custom parts makes sense...but a tool? My concern now is if I modify it enough to fit 1 lower, that might not work for another. I'll possibly have to modify it for each lower, but once you take material off, you can't add it back on. I'm tossing this in the junk pile and already ordered a competitive product. I'm giving this 2 stars, because it doesn't work out of the box, but seems like if it did fit your lower, then it would be a strong vise.
Aero Precision Enhanced Upper
I used this for a recent build that used the Aero Precision Enhanced Upper receiver, and an Anderson Manufacturing lower. There with issues with both main parts. The part of the upper receiver where the front pivot pin goes through collides with the action block and doesn't allow it to close correctly. I was still able to get it gripped on the upper well enough for attaching the barrel and flash hider, but it made me feel uneasy to say the least. As others have said, the lower block is too large to slide into the magazine well. I'll probably go back and use a file to shave off the collisions areas, but I shouldn't have to. If you're planning on using the same upper as me be aware of it not closing completely. It might work fine with regular uppers, but I can't attest to that. The price is great, but I'd strongly consider buying better quality for more money if I had to do it over.
Not universal
Does not fit all lowers. Had to take some off the sides to get it to fit my AXTS lowers. Slipped right in to a Daniel Defense lower though.
Not for Left handed weapons
Works well on the standard AR rifles but my son and I are both left-handed so we have built a few left handed rifles using Stag left handed parts. The vise block will not properly grip a left sided upper. The block has specific cut outs to fit around the ejection port and the forward assist. The lower block still works though the mag catch does not engage. Wish that it was universal for those of us that build for both sides.
