Looking for a gun vice

[rsf]

I'm looking for a gun vice for cleaning rifle and shotguns. I have seen MTM, Tipton and Tetra and other vices and they all seem to have their pluses and minuses. But the thing they all have in common is that they look mostly plastic and are all expensive. I my mind just because you call a molded plastic vice "professional" doesn't mean it's worth £150. So because I'll never travel with the vice, so being portable isn't necessary and have plenty on space in my workshop, I'm thinking of getting a pattern makers vice. Heavy steel construction, built to last, and versatile enough to do other jobs as well. The pattern makers vice also comes in around the same money as most of the dedicated gun vices. So does anyone have an opinion or any experience with using a pattern makers vice as a gun vice? If so is it a worth while idea?

RSF

 

[Ronin]

Use rubber/ silicone jaws or padded at worse case scenario to hold barrel or stock and it will be fine

The Bisley Gun vice is nice as it allows differing angles to be set if for instance you have limited space in a room

 

[Scotty99]

Ive got the Tipton gun vice. It’s plastic but well made and sturdy. I’ve had it a number of years and it’s lasting well.

 

[bluesako]

what scotty99 said ive had mine donkeys years bs

 

[Utectok]

Ive got the Tipton gun vice. It’s plastic but well made and sturdy. I’ve had it a number of years and it’s lasting well.

View attachment 303768

Likewise

 

[willie_gunn]

Shame you're not closer - I've got one of these sitting in the loft:

Amazon product ASIN B000BUAPOU

 

[Overlay]

Another vote for Tipton, got mine from optics warehouse with the adjustable height each end with adjustable clamps and it also has a mag stand for an AR
best one I've had well pleased

 

[Dorset Shakari]

Bisley Gun Vice pops up on eBay quite regularly.

 

[viking90]

Good old Record bench vice and a rag works well lol

 

[rsf]

Thank you for all the replies. The Tipton looks great, but maybe the wrong dimension for my workbench, being long and narrow. A vice that rotates like the pattern makers vice maybe would fit the available space I have better. The Bisley looks good too but is maybe more than I want to spend. Or maybe as V90 suggests I just use the oily rag I work on the sit-down mower and quad with on my No. 5 Record, that should torque down any stock. I have come across what looks like the ultimate though. A Real Avid "Armorer's Master Vice". In keeping with the over the top name comes via Brownell's an over priced cost of £ 599. Looks good though.

 

[EssBee]

might you be interested in the gun cleaning station I made from recycled wood. I've attached some photos if you are interested please pm me. all I want is to cover my time and materials £55 should do it. That excludes and delivery charge - I've made and sold others like this and the cost of carriage is about £15 but you would have to organize this or collect t from SN6 6PJ

 

[EssBee]

Interested made from recycled pine to my own design. £55 plus delivery or collect from Cirencester/Swindon area. PM me if interested.

 

[Klenchblaize]

This with a custom pair of leather stock protectors as the cork is insufficient IMHO:

LOTHAR WALTHER PRECISION TOOL Bisley Gunsmithing Vise - Brownells UK

www.brownells.co.uk

K

 

[rsf]

Once again thank you for the replies - EB the gun cleaning station looks great but is not really what I'm after. I want something with a vice that will firmly hold shotguns and rifles for cleaning, scope mounting and maintenance. Thank you though.
Klenchblaize, The Lothar Walther vice certainly looks the real deal but is currently out of stock and a probably a bit pricey for me. But thank you for showing it to me, and looking at your work bench reminds me of the Neil Young song, "A man needs a maid". Seriously though, very impressive.

 

[Steff]

I use a vice from a box column drill. I think it cost me 20 EUR in my local hardware store.

 

[Rory]

I use a vice from a box column drill. I think it cost me 20 EUR in my local hardware store.
View attachment 303984

Interesting bullet catcher! What calibre does it go up to?!

 

[Steff]

Interesting bullet catcher! What calibre does it go up to?!

Ha, ha. It's more of a patch and oil catcher.

 

[rsf]

Steff, That really is a simple elegant solution. Thanks. Since Rory beat me to it, I'll ask instead how your workshop stays so clean? And I never thought of getting curtains for my shop, something I'll look into.

 

[Steff]

Steff, That really is a simple elegant solution. Thanks. Since Rory beat me to it, I'll ask instead how your workshop stays so clean? And I never thought of getting curtains for my shop, something I'll look into.

because it is not really a workshop.
I have the whole house to myself, so I don't need a man cave as such.
In my 'workshop', which was intended as a library and adjoins the lounge, there's a very large and sturdy table where I do my reloading and various handyman stuff. For the really dirty work I move to the garage or outside. Plus I am a VERY tidy person. Shame on me.

 

[willie_gunn]

I use a vice from a box column drill. I think it cost me 20 EUR in my local hardware store.
View attachment 303984

A small word of warning.

I had what looks to be an identical model vice in my workshop. I loved it, but the thread on the long screw and the “stop” (i.e. under the orange button) are made of poor quality metal, eventually wearing away to the point where it would no longer grip. I had to throw out the vice as it is not designed to be repairable.

Personally I’d not be using it on top of a chest of drawers!