Many shooters don’t realize this: muzzle flash can be blinding if you’re shooting in the dark or using night vision. This is especially true if your rifle has a short barrel.
It’s so bad that your muzzle flash can make it difficult to find new targets or even take follow-up shots.That’s what a flash suppressor is for. And, that’s why many people prefer a flash hider over a muzzle brake or compensator. So, if you often shoot in low light environments, a flash hider may be your best option for a muzzle device.
Best Choice
Pro Mag AR15/M16 Low Receiver Magazine Vise Block
Gun Model:
M16, AR-15
Fabric/Material:
Polymer
Color:
Black
SPOILER—if reading about the details of lower vise blocks isn’t what you’re into, just get the Pro Mag AR15/M16 Low Receiver Magazine Vise Block. It’s affordable, and it gets the job done. It checks all the boxes (or blocks, if you will).
If reading about vise blocks is more up your alley, well… Keep reading. We’ve rounded up all the best AR-15 lower vise blocks. That way you can get the one that’ll work for you.
Top AR 15 Lower Vise Block on the Market Today
- Skeletonized polymer reduces weight and provides good traction for your vise.
- Quite rigid and won’t flex much at all.
- Locks in without any tools if you have the magazine release installed.
- Skeletonized body reduces weight and improves vise grip.
- Flexes very little when you torque on it.
- Shelf stabilizes lower receiver on the block and vise block in your vise.
- Extra material around the mouth of the magazine well reduces flex.
- Lip keeps your block from sliding through your lower receiver when the magazine catch is not installed.
- Hang hole for storage.
Table of Contents
Best AR 15 Lower Vise Block: Hold Things in Place
The overall best AR-15 lower vise block is up on the block first. We’ll clamp down on the other best AR-15 lower vise blocks in order of price.
Need the most affordable vise block? Read the first reviews.
Want a more expensive vise block? Scroll to the last reviews.
Time to tighten things down.
1. Pro mag AR15/M16 Low Receiver Magazine Vise Block
Pros:
- Skeletonized polymer reduces weight and provides good traction for your vise.
- Quite rigid and won’t flex much at all.
- Locks in without any tools if you have the magazine release installed.
Cons:
- Not a super snug fit in the magazine well.
The Pro Mag AR15/M16 Low Receiver Magazine Vise Block is remarkably affordable. And it works surprisingly well, considering how simple it is.
This vise block is lightweight, but still durable. It’s a skeletonized polymer block. But there’s almost no flex in this block, even if you need to wrench on it pretty hard.
The skeletonized squares also work well as traction for the texturing in your vise. So it doesn’t slip in the vise .
Also, this block locks into the magazine well securely without any tools. All you need is a magazine release.
If you don’t happen to have the magazine release in your lower receiver, there’s also a shelf that keeps the block from sliding all the way through your lower receiver.
That’s it. It’s a block. And it holds your lower receiver whether you’ve installed the magazine release or not. That’s everything you need a lower receiver vise block to do.
2. KE Arms Lower Receiver Vise Block
Pros:
- Skeletonized body reduces weight and improves vise grip.
- Flexes very little when you torque on it.
- Shelf stabilizes lower receiver on the block and vise block in your vise.
Cons:
- Wobbles a bit inside the magazine well.
The KE Arms Lower Receiver Vise Block is kind of the median lower vise block. It does everything you need a lower vise block to do. And the price is excellent.
It’s a standard skeletonized polymer block. The polymer is dense and rigid. It doesn’t flex much when you wrench on it. And the skeletonized body gives a bit more grip for your vise. So this block doesn’t slip.
There’s also a shelf for the magazine well that keeps the block from sliding all the way through your magazine well when there’s no magazine release installed.
Additionally, the shelf acts as a stop for resting against your vise. It makes this block nice and stable when you need it.
And, it locks into your magazine well with the magazine release, if you’ve got it installed. That adds even more stability for wrenching on your lower receiver.
However—and this is a theme with lower vise blocks—there’s a little bit of play when you have it in the magazine well. This happens in most magazine wells. But the wobble makes it compatible with the vast majority of magazine wells.
But, for the money, this KE Arms vise block is excellent that it won’t let you down.
3. Tapco Intrafuse AR Magazine Vise Block
Pros:
- Lightweight skeletonized design also adds a bit of traction for your vise.
- Hang hole for storage.
- Extra material around the mouth of the magazine well reduces flex.
Cons:
- Super skeletonized construction flexes a tad more than heavier blocks.
- Lip isn’t as secure as a full shelf for keeping the block from sliding through your lower receiver.
The Tapco Intrafuse AR Magazine Vise Block is a solid vise block that’s also not too expensive, which is obviously a good combo.
It’s a skeletonized polymer block that’s really lightweight. And the skeletonized portion slightly improves the grip of your vise.
The polymer is dense and rigid. However, the skeletonized portion leaves very little material in the block. It does have more material around the base of the magazine well to prevent flexing. But this block does have a tad more flex than a beefier one.
Then, this block has a lip that keeps the block from sliding through your lower receiver. However, the lip is a bit shallow. It’s not quite as secure as the full shelf that some other blocks have. But it works.
Once you’ve got your magazine release installed, this Tapco block locks into your magazine well on the magazine release. The hole for the magazine release also works as a hang hole for storing your vise block.
It will wobble a tad bit in the magazine well. But that also makes it compatible with almost any lower receiver out there.
This isn’t the least expensive lower vise block. But it’s a solid vise block with a creature comfort or two.
4. JE Machine Tech JE AR-15 Polymer Vise Blocks Upper and Lower Combo
Pros:
- Skeletonized block is lightweight and rigid.
- Lower vise block locks in using the magazine catch.
- Includes an upper vise block for working on your upper receiver as well.
Cons:
- Upper receiver vise block may not be compatible with all upper receivers.
The JE Machine Tech JE AR-15 Polymer Vise Blocks Upper and Lower Combo is a complete vise block kit for both your upper and lower receiver.
The lower vise block is a standard skeletonized block. However, the construction is fairly beefy and the polymer is dense. So it doesn’t flex very much, if at all, when you need to torque things down.
The lower receiver vise block also has a nice stop that keeps it from sliding through if there’s no magazine release in the lower. And the shelf provides good stability when it’s in the vise.
And it will lock into the magazine well using the magazine release, once you’ve got it installed.
However, the real deal of this combo is the upper vise block, which holds your upper receiver. So you can put an entire AR-15 together with this upper and lower vise block.
One thing to look out for, though, is upper receiver compatibility. This vise block clamps around your upper receiver to hold it in place. A standard upper receiver will fit. But if you have an upper receiver that doesn’t have a standard form factor, it may not fit.
But, other than that, this JE Machine Tech accessory is a super affordable solution if you need something for both your upper receiver and lower receiver.
5. Ergo Grips AR-15/M16 Spike’s Block
Key Specs:
- Fabric/Material:
Nickel, Teflon
- Cartridge:
.223 Remington
- Additional Features:
Polished Nickel Teflon Trigger
Pros:
- Mounts to a workbench. Great if you don’t have a vise.
- Locks into the magazine well on the magazine catch.
- Dense polymer and skeletonized structure make this block very rigid.
Cons:
- May need a bit of reinforcement around the base to handle high-torque tasks.
- Requires magazine catch to lock into the magazine well.
No vise? That’s cool. The Ergo Grips AR-15/M16 Spike’s Block can be mounted to your workbench. No vise needed.
The base of this lower vise block can be clamped to your workbench. Or, if you want a more permanent solution, there are holes in the base to secure the block with screws.
This base locks into the magazine well on the magazine catch. However, it has no stop to keep it from sliding all the way through if you don’t have the magazine catch installed. So you may want to put the magazine catch in by hand before you start wrenching on your lower.
The whole thing is constructed from dense polymer with a skeletonized structure to add durability. And it’s surprisingly rigid. It doesn’t look that tough. But it won’t flex under most normal lower receiver work.
The only weak point on this block is the base. It works well enough, even with just clamps. But it might be a good idea to use some washers to reinforce the mounting holes if you secure it to your bench with screws.
If you need to use your armorers wrench to twist your receiver extension or something like that, it could put more torque on the mounts than they can take if they’re not reinforced.
But, with a little work, this Ergo Grips vise block could be a nice permanent workstation for all your AR-15 rifles.
6. AIM Sports Inc. AR Upper/Lower Vise Block Set
Pros:
- Solvent resistant polymer means you can clean with anything you like.
- Skeletonized design leaves more material in the block for less flex during high torque applications.
- Upper and lower receiver vise block combo means you can assemble an entire rifle with this vise block kit.
Cons:
- Upper receiver vise block may not be compatible with non-standard upper receivers.
The AIM Sports Inc. AR Upper/Lower Vise Block set is an upper and lower receiver vise block combo that’s a tad more durable than some of the other options.
The lower vise block is skeletonized polymer, which is pretty standard. However, the skeletonized cutouts are circles rather than squares. That leaves more material in the block for more rigidity and less flex during high-torque tasks.
Also, the lower vise block has a full stop that keeps it from sliding all the way through the magazine well when there’s no magazine catch installed. And it adds stability when you’ve got it locked into your vise.
If you have the magazine catch installed, this vise block locks into the magazine well on the magazine catch.
The polymer is also solvent resistant. So clean with whatever you like.
This set also has the upper vise block, which clamps around your upper receiver. However, like many upper vise vise , it’s a molded block that may not be compatible with upper receivers that don’t have a standard upper receiver form factor.
It’s a tad pricier than some other options, sure. But this AIM Sports Inc upper and lower receiver vise block combo offers a few nice creature comforts that you don’t get with other blocks.
7. Sinclair International AR-15 Vise Block
Key Specs:
- Material:
Aluminum
- Type:
Mil-Spec
- Made In:
The USA
Pros:
- Remarkably solid construction with virtually zero flex.
- Wide base provides excellent stability once this block is locked into your vise
- Locks into the magazine well on the magazine catch.
Cons:
- Heavy.
- White color will eventually stain.
The Sinclair International AR-15 vise Block is designed to give you all the utility you need, while being especially gentle on your lower receiver.
First, this vise block is constructed from polyethylene, which is just as durable but has slightly less surface hardness than standard polymer blocks. That way, even if you need to get rough with your rifle, the vise block won’t damage the finish on your lower receiver.
This vise block is also solidly constructed, with no skeletonization. It’s a tad heavier than a skeletonized block. But it’s super solid. This block doesn’t flex at all.
Also, this vise block has a wider base that helps improve stability once it’s locked into your vise. But the base also provides a stop so that the block won’t slide all the way through if you have no magazine catch installed.
However, this Sinclair International accessory still locks in on your magazine catch once you’ve got it installed.
Yes, it’s heavy. And it’s white. So it will probably turn grey or brown eventually, when it gets oil and scratches on it. However, it’s a remarkably solid vise block that works for whatever you need to do.
8. Magpul AR-15 Bev Block
Pros:
- Dense Magpul polymer is durable and flexes very little, even under high torque.
- Lower vise block locks in on the magazine catch
- Upper receiver vise block includes barrel extension lugs
Cons:
- A bit expensive.
If you need a lower vise block that will also work as an upper receiver vise block, the Magpul AR-15 Bev Block is the way to go.
This block works just fine as a lower vise block.
It locks into the magazine well on the magazine catch. And there’s a stop to keep it from sliding through your magazine well if you haven’t installed a magazine catch yet.
However, the cool thing is that the other end of this lower vise block is an upper receiver vise block that locks into the barrel extension. That way you can also install muzzle devices, barrel nuts, handguards, and anything else on the upper receiver.
With the forward takedown pin installed, you could even install the barrel itself if you need.
And this Magpul vise block isn’t even that expensive. With an armorer’s wrench and a couple other tools, this vise block could be part of a complete AR-15 tool kit.
Assembling your Lower
A lower vise block is pretty much a necessity for assembling a lower receiver (yes, it can be done without a vise block. But it’s a pain). But your vise block is also a handy tool for cleaning and maintenance.
It’s just ridiculously convenient to have something that will hold your lower receiver for you while you work on it.
Pro Mag AR15/M16 Low Receiver Magazine Vise Block
- Fabric/Material:
Polymer
- Gun Model:
M16, AR-15
- Color:
Black
Pros:
- Skeletonized polymer reduces weight and provides good traction for your vise .
- Quite rigid and won’t flex much at all.
- Locks in without any tools if you have the magazine release installed.
If you’re still trying to wrangle your lower receiver while you wrench on it, it’s time to get the Pro Mag AR15/M16 Low Receiver Magazine Vise Block. It’s super affordable. And it works great. You won’t ever have to think about it or fuss with your vise block. It just works.
Stop trying to hold your lower receiver with one hand while you work with the other. Get a lower vise block and get stuff done in half the time or less.
You can also check these fantastic reviews:
