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Jason Schaller
Home » All Videos » Real Avid Vise Add-Ons: Elevate Work with Smart Fit Gun Sleeves
Real Avid Vise Add-Ons Review: 2 Years with the Multi-Fit, Soft-Fit, and Pipe Jaws
The Multi-Fit Took Over My Vise
I really kind of dig these add-ons now, but I did not expect the Multi-Fit jaws to completely replace the standard Gun-Fit jaws that came with my Master Vise. That was a surprise.
Real Avid sent me these three add-on sets about two years ago. The Multi-Fit, the Soft-Fit leather sleeves, and the Tube-Fit pipe jaws. I thought they would be specialty tools I pulled out occasionally. Instead, the Multi-Fit lives on my vise full-time now. I do not think about this tool when I am using it. I just use it.
What Works
Multi-Fit completely replaces standard Gun-Fit jaws for most work
Held 100 ft-lbs on rusted octagon Winchester 94 barrel
No degradation after 2 years of regular use
Soft-Fit leather protects delicate finishes
Gun-Fit still good for pistol grips and suppressors
What Does Not
Multi-Fit fails on round barrels under torque (use barrel vise instead)
Soft-Fit leather is thinner than I would like
Soft-Fit backing is hard plastic, not leather (missed opportunity)
Tube-Fit and Soft-Fit are specialty-only, not daily drivers
Wish Multi-Fit had leather-covered ribs instead of hard plastic
Multi-Fit is the daily driver, completely replaced my standard jaws
Held 100 ft-lbs on octagon barrel, but fails on round profiles under torque
Soft-Fit leather is great for delicate finishes but backing is not leather
Tube-Fit/Pipe Jaws are specialty-only for suppressors and round stock
2 years in, no degradation, Multi-Fit is worth it, others are situational
Who This Is For
Best for: Master Vise owners who want versatility. The Multi-Fit is the one to buy if you only get one. It handles odd shapes, octagon barrels, and flat-sided receivers the standard jaws struggle with.
Skip if: You only work on round-profile rifle barrels. For that, you need a proper barrel vise, not sleeves.
First Impressions: Another Set of Jaws?
When Real Avid sent these, I was in the middle of pulling a barrel off a Winchester 94. These rifles have octagon barrels, which created a problem because my barrel vise only does round barrels. I was skeptical whether the Multi-Fit was actually going to hold that octagon profile under torque.
That worked awesome. To my surprise, I had no problems pulling the receiver off that barrel. The vise was nowhere near its limits. This was a rusted barrel and rusted receiver in really bad shape, and the Multi-Fit performed flawlessly. That was the moment these went from optional add-on to daily driver.
Real World Testing
Over the last two years, I have used these jaws on dozens of firearms. The Multi-Fit has that harder rubber compound on one side and various groove patterns that grip octagon and flat-sided surfaces securely. It completely took over for the standard Gun-Fit jaws that came with the vise.
The standard Gun-Fit jaws have that soft sponging material that molds around pistol grips, and I still use those for handguns and suppressors. The soft foam wraps around grips nicely. But for everything else, the Multi-Fit is what I reach for now without thinking.
The Soft-Fit leather sleeves are lined with real leather. That Browning Auto 5 from the 1970s went in there, and it was really nice and soft on that finish. That is the kind of firearm you do not want to mess up. The leather protected it.
The Tube-Fit pipe jaws took longer to figure out. I was scratching my head at first. Then I realized they are perfect for suppressors and shotgun barrels. That V-groove design centers round objects without crushing them. I also use them for cheater bars and action wrench tubes when I need extra leverage.
What Changed After Real Use
First few months, the Multi-Fit was just another option in the drawer. After realizing it handled that Winchester 94 barrel work when nothing else would, it became the default. Now it lives on the vise full-time.
The Soft-Fit leather I thought I would use constantly for vintage firearms. In reality, I use it rarely. Most of my work is on modern guns or rough projects where the Multi-Fit rubber is fine. The leather is there when I need it, but that is not often.
The Tube-Fit I initially dismissed as hobby-only. But for suppressor work and the occasional cheater bar, it earned its spot in the drawer. Not daily use, but when you need it, you need it.
What Held Up
The Multi-Fit rubber compound is the main thing. After two years, there is no degradation. No flat spots, no cracking, no loss of grip. The ribs that create the grip patterns are still sharp and effective. I have used standard soft jaws from Amazon before, and these blow them away.
The leather on the Soft-Fit is holding up too. It is real leather, not synthetic, and it has not cracked or torn despite being used less frequently. The stitching is solid.
All three sets have stood the test of time so far. Nothing has broken, worn out, or failed unexpectedly.
What Did Not Hold Up
Here is where I have to be honest about limitations.
The Multi-Fit held up great on that octagon barrel, but it does not hold a round barrel at all when you are torquing. The hard plastic ribs just do not create enough friction on round metal under torque. For round profile barrels, you need a proper barrel vise like my Short Action Customs Bravo.
The Soft-Fit leather is real, but it is thinner than I would like. It protects finishes, but I wish it was beefier. The backing is the same hard plastic as the Gun-Fit jaws. I wish Real Avid had put leather on that side too, so you could work on fine rifle barrels with leather protection on both sides.
I also wish the Multi-Fit ribs were leather-covered instead of hard plastic. That would have created more friction on round surfaces without marring finishes.
How It Compares
vs. Standard Gun-Fit Jaws: The Gun-Fit jaws that came with your Master Vise are great for pistols and suppressors. That soft foam molds around grips beautifully. But the Multi-Fit completely took over for everything else. If you only use your vise for handguns, stick with Gun-Fit. If you work on rifles, shotguns, or odd shapes, Multi-Fit is worth the upgrade.
vs. Amazon Soft Jaws: I have used the generic soft jaws you find on Amazon. These Real Avid sleeves blow them away. The rubber compound is better, the grip patterns are actually designed for firearms, and they have lasted two years without degrading. The Amazon ones start cracking after six months.
vs. Barrel Vises: Here is the important distinction. These sleeves are for holding receivers and odd shapes. For round-profile rifle barrels requiring torque, you need a dedicated barrel vise like the Short Action Customs Bravo. The Multi-Fit simply cannot hold round barrels under torque. That is not a flaw, that is physics.
The Verdict: The Multi-Fit is the one to buy. The Soft-Fit and Tube-Fit are specialty tools you will use occasionally. But the Multi-Fit earns its place as your daily driver.
Soft-Fit Leather Sleeves: If you work on vintage or high-end firearms with delicate finishes, the leather protection is worth having. Real leather, just thinner than I would like. Keep them in the drawer for when you need them.
Tube-Fit Pipe Jaws: If you work on suppressors, shotgun barrels, or need to hold round stock for fabrication, these have their place. Specialty use, but when you need them, nothing else works as well.
Real Avid Master Vise: If you do not already own the Master Vise, these add-ons only work with that specific vise. The base vise is solid, and these sleeves make it better.
Final Verdict
After two years of real use, here is my take: Buy the Multi-Fit. Skip the others unless you have specific needs.
The Multi-Fit completely replaced my standard jaws. It is the daily driver. It handled that octagon Winchester 94 barrel when nothing else would. It grips flat receivers and odd shapes securely. It has held up for two years without degradation. That worked awesome.
Real Avid got the Multi-Fit right. I wish the ribs were leather-covered for round surfaces. I wish the Soft-Fit had leather on both sides. I wish the Tube-Fit had more gunsmithing-specific applications. But the Multi-Fit earns its spot in my workflow.
Would I buy it again? I would buy the Multi-Fit any day of the week. The Soft-Fit and Tube-Fit? Only if you do enough specialty work to justify them.
FAQ
Do these fit other vises?
No, these are Real Avid Master Vise specific. They will not work on standard bench vises or other gunsmithing vises.
Can the Multi-Fit hold barrels for torque work?
Only octagon or odd-shaped barrels. Round profile barrels slip under torque. For round barrels, use a dedicated barrel vise like the Short Action Customs Bravo.
How do these compare to the stock Gun-Fit jaws?
Gun-Fit jaws are better for pistols and suppressors. The soft foam molds around grips. Multi-Fit is better for rifles, receivers, and odd shapes. The harder rubber grips better under torque.
Is the Soft-Fit leather real?
Yes, it is real leather, not synthetic. It protects finishes but is thinner than ideal. The backing is hard plastic, not leather.
What is the Tube-Fit best for?
Suppressors, shotgun barrels, action wrench tubes, and any round stock where you need that V-groove centering. Specialty use, not daily driver.
How long do these last?
Two years of regular use and no degradation on the Multi-Fit rubber. The leather on Soft-Fit is also holding up well. Better than generic Amazon soft jaws that crack after six months.
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Original Content by The Rogue Banshee / My Rogue Solutions LLC. Credit: Jason Schaller Email: jschaller@trb.fyi
About the Author: Jason Schaller is a former FFL holder and founder of Eagle Eye Shooters Supply in Helena, MT, where he provided professional gunsmithing services and guided customers on all aspects of firearms ownership. Today, he teaches DIY gunsmithing at The Rogue Banshee and serves as a Chief Instructor at Freedom Crew University. With over a decade of hands-on professional experience with firearms and nearly 30 years in IT, Jason also holds top cybersecurity certifications including CISSP, CISA, and CRISC. When he’s not geeking out, he’s helping others build self-reliance, critical thinking, and firearms proficiency through real-world content.
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