
Bench Vise: Having a bench vise makes this process much easier, but is not absolutely necessary.
I have a nice set, and a set from Harbor Freight that I can abuse. They are cheap, and if taken care of will last a lifetime. Punches (depending on the rifle & gas system): If you are going to do any kind of work on firearms, then you will need a good set of punches.
Allen Wrench / Torque Screw Driver / Screw Driver: Depending on what type of screw is holding your handguard, and/or gas block on your rifle or pistol, you will likely need one of these. Between a good set of punches, and this tool, you can do just about anything you need to your AR-15. AR-15 Armorers Wrench: These are a few dollars, and I highly recommend getting one if you own an AR-15. This will ensure that when the barrel heats up, it does not swell, make contact with, and push the barrel causing a decrease in accuracy, and also possibly becoming so hot that it could burn the weak hand grip of the shooter. Just make sure that whatever handguard you purchase is freefloating, meaning that the only place that it makes contact with the rifle is at the barrel nut. This is an easy process and can be done by an amateur in your garage with a few simple hand tools, most of which you already have. The change can be functional (adding keymod, pic rails, etc.), cutting weight, or just to look cooler. There is an unbelievable number of options out there from a plethora of manufacturers, so the exact method of removal and/or install may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer. I would guess that the most common thing that people want to change out on their AR-15 (or AR-10) is the handguard. Home › diy › How to Change an AR-15 Handguard