Real Avid continues to make it even easier to work on your firearms at home with its latest Master Bench Block Pro. The latest offering in the company’s tool box provides a universal solution for DIY enthusiasts and professional gunsmiths alike. With a larger format and well-thought-out design, the bench block accommodates everything from compact pistols to rifles and shotguns.
The Real Avid Master Bench Block Pro
Constructed of engineering-grade resin, the Master Bench Block Pro is highly durable and capable of handling the toughest projects. Likewise, the large, non-slip, over-molded footprint ensures that the block stays in place while you work. This non-slip material is also strategically placed across the top, providing a non-marring work surface.
The surface contains 14 thoughtfully placed holes for precise pin alignment, regardless of the firearm. Correspondingly, three elongated slots quickly align with compact and full-size pistols with any pin alignment. Likewise, two long grooves—vertical and horizontal—easily accommodate barrels and long/short action bolts.
To secure your parts, frames, or barrels, two Smart-Block Clamps are incorporated into the block. These clamps screw down into your choice of the four provided mounting ports to secure any part configuration. In addition, two strong magnets are embedded underneath to grasp punched pins and hold them to the block.
There are also 1911-specific features for 1911 enthusiasts. The top surface includes a recess designed specifically for easier 1911 mainspring removal. Likewise, the underside has multiple recesses to accommodate various bushing shapes and sizes for easy removal.
For a little extra money, you can opt for the full Master Bench Block Kit. The kit includes a removable magnetic pin-catching tray under a modified Master Bench Block Pro. The modified Bench Block Pro contains cutouts at the corner and side to dump the pins out.
In addition, the removable tray houses the Real Avid Accu-Punch Hammer with interchangeable heads. Likewise, a pin alignment tool sits next to the hammer. Finally, 18 steel punches—9 standard pin punches and 9 roll pin punches—round out the kit.
Editor’s Note
I recently installed the Nighthawk Custom DTS (Drop-in Trigger System) in my Springfield Ronin 1911. Unfortunately, along the way, I found that I had to make many extra modifications to my pistol’s components to get it to install properly. This meant that I had to disassemble and reassemble the 1911 repeatedly to check fitment.
At the time, I was using the Smart Bench Block from Real Avid. Although it’s a great tool for smaller pistols, my full-size 1911 struggled to find balance on it while punching pins.
Not only is the Master Bench Block much larger to accommodate full-size pistols, but it even has 1911-specific features. Specifically, the 1911 mainspring removal recess and boss would have saved me a lot of time and effort. Not to mention the 14 holes for much easier pin alignment and bushing removal recesses on the underside.
Although I am far from a gunsmith, I do like to work on my own firearms, and my Real Avid tools have been a game changer. The next time I fully disassemble my 1911, I will unquestionably use this bench block.
Availability
The Real Avid Master Bench Bock Pro is available now with MSRPs of $34.99 (base) and $79.99 (Kit). For more info, please visit RealAvid.com.
Real Avid Master Bench Block Pro Features:
- Constructed from high-quality engineering-grade resin
- Smart-Block Clamps
- 14 holes and 2 grooves positioned optimally for flexibility
- Smart-block clamps firmly hold parts in place, ensuring stability during pin punching
- Removable magnetic pin-catching tray and storage unit (Kit model)
- Real Avid Accu-Punch Hammer with interchangeable heads (Kit model)
- 9-piece standard and 9-piece roll pin punch set (Kit model)
- MSRP: $34.99 (base), $79.99 (Kit)
