Gunsmithing Rifle vise

Heres what I have a love the versatility of it.

 
If you just want a stand to hold your rifle while you're cleaning it any of those sorts of stands are fine, but they're not a real "gun vice" IMO.

If you actually want to work on or put torque on the rifle they're pretty useless. Since we don't have vice blocks (like for AR upper and lowers) you really have to turn a bench vice into a gun vice with some fabricated jaw covers, or get Bisley vice (although they want too much for them). The smaller versions can be put on a gimbal mounting block, if you have to manipulate it, but I find it's a lot easier to just flip the rifle over if you need to work on the bottom...

I made several sizes of concave jaw covers out of wood covered with cork and then chamois that fit over my jaws, and I can now grab any rifle as tight as I want it without damaging the firearm, and I can actually put as much torque as I want without it coming loose. I sort of copied how a Bisley vice works just on a regular bench vice.

When I'm just holding the barrel or the action (not the stock) I use some of those magnetic, soft plastic or rubber jaw covers. They have all sorts of indents in them to secure different sized objects without marring them.

Bisley Vice
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I have this for my vise but I haven't used them on a rifle not sure if the aluminum might damage the barrel. Any thoughts?
 

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I recently went through this. Ended buying 2 Wilton Vises. For AR type rifles it’s a no brainer but for bolt guns it’s a bit different. This “vise” system makes bolt gun maintenance easier but a dedicated barrel vise like the one from SAC is still necessary

 
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I recently went through this. Ended buying 2 Wilton Vises. For AR type rifles it’s a no brainer but for bolt guns it’s a bit different. This “vise” system makes bolt gun maintenance easier but a dedicated barrel vise like the one from SAC is still necessary

Are you still using this vise and what are your thoughts on it.
 
How much you willing to spend?


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Honestly I use the bottom 2. But I want that Orange vise
 
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How much you willing to spend?


or


or


Honestly I use the bottom 2. But I want that Orange vise
I also want the Orange vise.
 
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I use an old Wilton that I picked up on ebay for not a lot of $$$ to serve on my reloading bench. That with a barrel vise block is perfect.

It's perfect for me. Inline Fab makes a blank QD mount that easily accommodates the vise.

Be aware that several "classic" names are now hecho en China. That was disappointing to me when I started looking. I'm really happy with my Wilton that's proudly stamped "Made in USA" on the side and reminds me of my grandpa.

I'd look for one that rotates (azimuthally) as well.
 
I don't get using a barrel vise as workholding for cleaning... sure ya can, but why risk marring a barrel's finish?
The Tipton Best is fully adjustable, works well for bolt guns and AR's, and has storage for small parts/patches.