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Opinions on the best gun vice for serious gun work

jjmitchell60
I am going to buy a new long gun vice for some serious gun smithing work and am wondering what some of you advice as to the best one out there and why? Price is not too much of a problem although I want to stay under $300 if possible but there again if a really good one is much better and higher tell me so as well as the pros/cons of it. Give me the pros/cons of any you suggest as well as ones to steer clear of. I have had some that cost under $100 dollars with them being either too cheply made thus breaking or not adaptable to all types of long guns. Now give me some brand names and opinions please. I do not need one to take to the range to shoot from but rather one for the shop to work from.

Education is nothing if common sense and manners are not in the curriculum!
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  • nononsense
    I haven't found any one vise that fulfills all of a gunsmith's needs. Unfortunately, I've used (needed) as many as 4 different styles of vises to accomplish multiple tasks in any shop, excluding machine vises of course.

    There is nothing wrong with the 'plastic' injection molded stock vises for general cleaning and maybe some scope work but not much. The advantage with these is that they can be cleaned up readily and they are chemical resistant. The little indentions in the base are convenient for small screws and such. Be aware that the pads at the buttstock area can fail and will need to be replaced with better glue and nicer pad material.

    There are nicer vises similar to the above but made from oak which I like simply because they're real wood. Just don't use any chemicals on or around them. They are better looking than the molded plastic and give a better overall impression.

    A stockmaker's cradle, if made heavy duty enough, is a task saver, alleviating frustrations when you need to pivot a stock into multiple positions. Regular vises don't allow for the flexibility of movement that this cradle provides. Make sure that it is built for heavy use not just some 2x4's screwed together or design your own.

    Here is a link to a vise that works for most gunsmiths. A little pricey...

    http://www.newenglandcustomgun.com/

    Select 'gunsmithing tools'.

    Select 'gunsmithing vise'.

    I don't use these vises on a counter top or standard bench because the bench or top limits how much I can do without shifting stuff all over the place. I made a small island work center that is standing height, narrow and short enough to walk around conveniently so as to allow access to all sides easily without leaning way over into a bench to reach the work. Right below the island top is a set of shallow drawers for screwdrivers, screw assortments, wrenches and files. The stockmaker's cradle is fitted into a clamp system bolted into the side of the island. You can also use a taller rolling tool chest (base) that has locking wheels. Roll it out to work, roll it into a corner to conserve space.

    Planning this stuff out ahead of time saves a bunch of aggravation later.

    Best.
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  • 25-06
    Sir, for general gunsmithing you will probably need more than one vise for different uses. In my opinion the very best vise for probably 90% of the gun work you would do is the Versa-vise from Brownells Gunsmithing Supply. I have had mine for over 30 years with no complaints. Also be sure and get a set of the jaw pads with the synthetic material. I do not remember the name, but I got the red ones and they are indestructable.
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