Wheeler Engineering Action Rod with One-Piece Aluminum Construction and Steel Contact Design and Locking Mechanism for Standard Gunsmithing and Assembly, Black, One Size

Works very very well. beats any action rod that only has a circular shaft, as this device has a portion called the "sail" that goes into the charging handle channel to better keep the upper receiver from twisting when removing stubborn barrel nuts, or when installing barrel nuts. it also has a gas tube alignment tool built-in for when using standard GI barrel nuts to easily clock the barrel nut for the gas tube. I love the feature where you can "lock" the barrel onto the shaft. I built two uppers yesterday with this tool, and I like it better than my real avid lug-lock action rod because of the sail feature. Both of my faxon barrels worked flawless with the "locking" feature of this tool. I highly recommend this tool!

This right here is the tool to remove/install barrel nuts and muzzle devices. There is no better way to hold the barrel than by the bolt lug recesses. This tool operates as a bolt that you lock in place and then lock the tool in a vise. There is no stress put on the upper receiver or god forbid the lower like with those cheap plastic blocks in the mag well while torquing the barrel nuts. There’s also an alignment rod for getting the gas tube holes perfectly aligned so no messing with that afterwards. This tool works fine through the upper or just holding the barrel. There are more expensive and albeit more solid versions of this but unless you’re building AR’s for a living this tool will certainly last a lifetime for the hobbyist.

Works well

Super nice. And strong. My vice broke and this didn’t so guess that says someyhing

This is a great tool for repairing, maintaining or assembling direct impingement style AR-15s. I know a lot of people like the MI one better, and I get it, that one is steel and this one isn't. However, the wheeler works just fine for anyone who isn't building multiple rifles per day, everyday, all year, every year. The locking feature is nice and I think that the indexing rod for the gas tube alignment is incredibly clever. Another point is that this thing, in my mind, is way better than the MI if you are assembling, repairing, or maintaining any set up with a delta ring. The indexing rod will easily line that right up for you, and that is a feature that the MI is lacking. The whole thing is aluminum, not plastic. It fits in the upper receiver just like a BCG does, aligns the extension just as well as the MI, and again, unlike the MI, it can lock in place to keep anything from moving while you are torquing the barrel nut down. Better features for half the cost, and the only thing the MI has over the the Wheeler is that it is steel rather than aluminum... I'll buy two of the Wheelers and be set for years to come. That said, I'm not a Wheeler fan boy and I like a lot of Midwest Industries products. I just like the Wheeler action rod much better for its lower price, better features, and comparable precision machining. For what I do, the Wheeler is just the better tool and the better deal.

Seems to be good quality. I haven't put it to the test yet.

Great for holding the upper while changing muzzle devices on uppers with optics installed. Holds the upper without removing optics like when using a traditional clam shell vice block. It is also really nice for installing accessories, holds the upper very firm. I haven't tired breaking loose or torquing a barrel nut yet so I can't speak to how it will hold up to major torque. I have noticed, in pictures of other negative reviews that the device is being mis used. It has a locking feature, turn the opposite end to unlock it, insert then lock it. Its locked when the knob on the end aligns with the body. It should not be aligned when being inserted. After inserting it should be turned to align with the body. I have seen the lock sheared off because the user hasn't got it all the way inserted and tried to put torque on the tiny screw that holds the lock.

The tool worked excellent .

Very high quality action rod. The gas alignment key and the lock feature is over the top but nice if you want to utilize it. Highly recommend.

Had a slight issue but wheeler fixed it right away, works great on Canadian ar clones