Leaderboard

Those are called snap ring, retaining ring, or lock ring pliers. They are found in numerous machines like vehicle transmissions. The pair he is holding looks to be a USAG branded one; which is an Italian tool manufacturer. You can get them with serrations for extra grip and/or dimples for a positive lock on the ring. They always open outward and always have a spring.

This is one of the tools they use at the factory. Here is the 16mm slotted tool and Knipex circlip pliers they use for the recoil spring.

Just make sure you have steady hands and hold the pliers perfectly perpendicular. I have been using the Knipex ones for years on my German car and guns and they are way better than the Snap-on, Irwin, or Channellock. There is actually a very specific pair of pliers that you are suppose to use for these clips where the tips are together at rest with no gap; but you can still use regular circlip pliers with a steady hand and good tips.

I have this set and they’re worth every cent. All of the various benefits SD mentions, haven’t yet found a use that this kit didn’t meet.

The channelock brand is pretty good. The jaws are rigid so they don’t try to twist on you. They have like 5 different size tips that you can put in them. Angled and different sizes. They flip from inside to outside spawning with the flip of a switch.

Without a good pair of snap ring pliers, they’ll make you question god and the meaning of the universe. The one under the trigger group pin that retains it in to the receiver is a real son of a bitch to get out.