Sometimes, the tool is the tool and sometimes, the tool keeps the tool working. That is the case here. In our equation the tool is the AR-15, the most popular rifle in the United States. As with many vital tools, any rifle is a collection of parts working together and an MSR is no exception.

Aside from proper training and practice, the AR-15 needs regular cleaning and maintenance. Readers will have the cleaning tools in their home or shop to keep their guns clean and will most likely have the tools needed to make repairs, but what happens if the gun goes down in the field? Real Avid has a solution that will make cleaning, maintenance, and basic repairs more manageable at the range and in the field.

Real Avid is a tool company that specializes in firearms. Their cleaning gear is the best I have used, and their tools range from simple repair to complicated gunsmithing tasks. My bench cleaning and maintenance is handled by the Universal Master Cleaning kit, and I have two of their multi-tools, the AR-15 version of the Gun Core Tool and our subject here, the AR-15 Tool multi-tool.

Unlike your average Letherman or Gerber multi-tool are meant to be useful for many tasks. Maybe not the best tool for a task, but good at many tasks and easily available. In this case we have a tool dedicated to one task, keeping your AR-15 in good order. There is another version of this tool for shotgunners and other rifle shooters that provides tools specific to them, but this one is for AR owners.

It has a selection of 37 tools to cover cleaning and maintenance tasks that are faced in the field. You will also be able to make basic repairs such as stripping, fixing, replacing parts, and reassembling the parts that are field serviceable, such as the bolt carrier group.

The multi-tool comes with a coyote tan sheath to hold the tool, a set of extra bits, and a sight tool for four and five tine AR front sights. It can be attached to your gear with the MOLLE strap.

Check out the photos included with this article for a complete look at the tools included.  I am impressed with the quality of the AR-15 tool; it makes an excellent addition to a prepper’s tool kit. A tool like this can make life easier when you need it most.