New Schematic Mats and AK Tools from Real Avid–SHOT Show 2016

Columns David Higginbotham For Rifles Gear Reviews Gunsmithing SHOT Show 2016 Tools

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Need some tool-specific cleaning kits? Check out Real Avid. This is their AK kit.

Need some tool-specific cleaning kits? Check out Real Avid. This is their AK kit.

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Check out Real Avid: https://www.realavid.com/

We’ve been following the development of Real Avid very closely. Their tools are not so different from what you’d find in most toolboxes, but the way they package them is very useful. They make specific toolsets that allow users of specific platforms to carry everything they need in a compact, convenient package. Many fans of the 1911 and the AR-15 are already aware of this.

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Key-chain tools for the AR-15, AK, and 1911.

Key-chain tools for the AR-15, AK, and 1911.

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A dedicated AK scraper.

A dedicated AK scraper.

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But now they’ve expanded to cover the AK-47 family. You can now pick up one tool to throw in the range bag or your pants pocket that will have everything you need for the caliber. And they’ve found a streamlined way to clean the ugly beasts, too (I know that may seem unnecessary–I mean, who cleans their AK-47s?).

My favorite from this year’s Real Avid SHOT display was a new style of cleaning mat–the Smart Mats. They’ve taken a blown up diagram of each type of gun and printed assembly/disassembly instructions on a well-padded piece of neoprene. At one edge is a plastic parts tray that serves as a great place to put loose bits and parts (it even has a magnet), and a convenient spine to roll the mat up on.

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The 1911 Smart Mat.

The 1911 Smart Mat.

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These dudes come in AK-47, AR-15, and 1911 now, and will be available for other guns soon. I’d personally like to see an 870, a 500, a 700, and a GLOCK mat. I could see keeping a stack of these rolls under the workbench and pulling out the specific one. Once you’ve broken a gun down 100+ times, the diagram would be less useful–but the tray and the padding offered by the neoprene would make for a great place to clean. The surface of the mat is resistant to chemicals and the underside has that tacky adhesive quality that keeps it from moving around.

The best part is the price. The mats sell for less than $20. The rest of their tools are comparably priced. Real Avid seems to have hit that sweet spot between useful convenience and price.

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Some basic field-stripping instructions.

Some basic field-stripping instructions.

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More advanced dissection.

More advanced dissection.

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The trays hold the small parts nicely.

The trays hold the small parts nicely.

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The neoprene won't slip and is chemical resistant.

The neoprene won’t slip and is chemical resistant.

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Need more advanced instructions?

Need more advanced instructions?

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These gun-specific field guides travel easily and are good to have on hand.

These gun-specific field guides travel easily and are good to have on hand.

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And they make easily referenced, and easy to carry cleaning kits, too.

And they make easily referenced, and easy to carry cleaning kits, too.

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The ergonomics of the handles is superb.

The ergonomics of the handles is superb.

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  • Chief January 26, 2016, 6:44 am

    I like those especially the magnets in the mat as I have lost parts on numerous occasions .I can see where these could really come in handy .

  • David Wilson January 26, 2016, 5:48 am

    Great to learn about your products. Owned 1911 & AR,s for 30 yrs and these still help out. Would like to have more mats but can’t afford right now. ( Oil bust! ). Nice web site.

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