Wheeler 156-999 Delta Series AR Combo Tool

I had two MSRs and no MSR tool with which to work on them. I wanted to rectify that and a search ensued for a viable tool to support my MSR. Actually, I just needed one to loosen the receiver extension castle nut on the Ruger AR 556, as I was removing the collapsible stock and replacing it with an A2 rifle stock. Perusing the WWW, I found the TAPCO buttstock tool (for a fair price) at Academy Sports. Since I live relatively close to an Academy Sports store, I hopped in the vehicle and off I went.

Academy Sports did not have the TAPCO tool, but they did have the (more expensive) Wheeler 156-999 Delta Series AR Combo Tool. I decided that I needed it (since I was there) and carried the tool home with me one other item.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

The Wheeler Delta Series AR Combo Tool construction method allows the use of hardened steel barrel nut pins designed to hold up to heavy torque requirements. A cut out for a ½” drive allows the tool to be used with a torque wrench or ratchet driver. Profiles for buffer tube lock nut and flash hider are included.

Product Dimensions: 16.6 x 4 x 1.2 inches; 1.2 pounds

Country of Origin: China (You were expecting somewhere else?)

THE BASICS:

• Innovative layered and laminated stamped steel construction
• Most durable AR tool available
• Includes profiles to work with both the buffer tube lock (castle nut) and a 3/4″ flash hider.
• Addition of a bit driver and bit holder with six common bits adds to the versatility

THE REALITY:

The Delta Series AR Combo Tool is heavy and long; heavy and long enough to apply some serious torque when loosening or tightening components this tool is intended to fit. It is also heavy and long enough to do some serious damage to an assailant’s body parts should you be attacked while working on your MSR.

The end that incorporates the barrel nut wrench, ¾-inch flash hider wrench, ½-inch drive cutout, and hex-bit holder is part of a pinned, three-layer section for high-torque application.

The butt stock buffer tube tool and receiver extension castle nut tool is part of a single, .12-inch thick handle of stamped steel.

The application of the finish is poor, but I didn’t buy it because of the finish.

A plastic handle half surrounds the receiver extension castle nut tool. The handle can be removed with a flat head screwdriver bit, but it makes the tool easier to use on the hands when removing high-torque components (flash hider and barrel nut, for example).

A number of hex-head bits are provided in a rubber strip that is integrated into the tool’s handle. This rubber strip can be removed, if desired, by forcing a small flat-tipped screwdriver between the end of the strip and the tool handle and then prying the end of the strip free from the handle. The remainder of the strip (and bits) can then be removed from the tool easily. Separating the bit strip from the Delta Series AR Combo Tool was my first task in making the tool somewhat easier to handle.

Each bit is clearly labeled on the shank and the Delta Series AR Combo Tool includes the following (Tool numbers are by Wheeler) bits:

• B08-712 (butt stock screw tool)
• 449-509 – 3/32″ Allen bit
• 674-827 – 5/32″ Allen bit
• 685-703 – T10 Torx bit
• 888-472 – T15 Torx bit
• 809-890 – T20 Torx bit

While I like the bit set, the Delta Series AR Combo Tool would not be my choice of use with the bits, any of them. With these bits, in my opinion, a tool like the Wheeler Fat Wrench or bit handle found in other Wheeler kits would be better to control the applied torque.

I have read that the castle nut tool would not fit all receiver extension castle nuts. However, the tool fit the receiver extension castle nut on the Windham Weaponry SRC and Ruger AR 556 very well and caused no problems during the loosening of these nuts.

The butt stock tool also fits the receiver extension lug very well on a UTG A2 stock rifle length receiver extension. Note that a 5/8-inch, open-end wrench also works.

The flash hider tool fits the flash hider well on the Windham Weaponry SRC and Ruger AR 556. However, the tool may mar the flash hider’s finish.

I recently used the tool on a collapsible stock to MAGPUL fixed stock conversion and the tool worked well in loosening the receiver extension castle nut and when installing the rifle-length receiver extension.

CONCLUSION:

The Delta Series AR Combo Tool is heavy, bulky, and long. It is; however, a welcome addition to my other Wheeler tools when I need a MSR tool that is heavy, bulky, and long.

The Delta Series AR Combo Tool will not fit in the rear compartment (or any compartment for that matter) of my Fox Tactical MSR “Possible” bag. For me, that means that the toll is for “shop” use only and I’ll have to find a lighter, less bulky, and shorter tool for field use. For others, it may be the tool to stuff in a larger range bag.

Removing the bit holder makes the Delta Series AR Combo Tool easier to work with.

I like the handle on the Receiver Extension Castle Nut end of the tool; it provides a comfortable grip for applying torque.

In short, the Delta Series AR Combo Tool did everything that I asked of it and made the stock swap an easy job. I really can’t ask it do more than that – until I need to.

REFERENCES:

Wheeler 156-999 Delta Series AR Combo Tool by Wheeler Engineering: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00806BAN2/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p200_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0YGRCT9F75NH3ARJB8KR&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

And, is also available at other fine on-line and off-line stores like Academy Sports