Gunsmith Screwdrivers

pinestraw · June 4, 2007, 07:27 PM

Looking to buy set of screwdrivers. Don't want to spend a lot, but want to get a quality set for occassional use. Not a gunsmith. Any suggestions,
experiences?

ZeSpectre · June 4, 2007, 08:35 PM

B-Square sets can usually be found in Gander mountain and tons of places online. Simple starter sets are pretty inexpensive all the way up to major sets with a gazillion bits.

skeeter1 · June 4, 2007, 09:32 PM

Midsouth Shooter Supply has quite a few different sets for what seem like reasonable prices.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.co...54%4F%4F%4C%53

jdm357 · June 4, 2007, 09:39 PM

I got a decent set in Walmart, in the hunting/shooting supplies. I don't know if you like Walmart or not; but it's an idea. Haven't used them that much, they seem sturdy enough, and it was $20 I think, with a hardshell carrying case as well. I am not a gunsmith by any means and I just got them for occasional use, so you might want to look elsewhere, but they might hold on just fine as well..

hoghunting · June 5, 2007, 12:01 AM

I keep a Chapman screwdriver set in my range gear and it goes in my hunting gear also. I have the Brownell's set on my bench, but for your use, the Chapman will is just what you need.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=510765

Cpl Nobbs · June 5, 2007, 05:57 PM

+1 on the chapmans, they have replaced all my other screwdrivers for all work.

TJ 1911 · June 8, 2007, 07:14 PM

How many guns do you own? Brownells sells their Magna-Tip line in sets to fit particular guns. I bought a set of bits which will fit all the screws on an S&W, plus a handle, for around 12 bucks. Accumulated some additional individual bits, a box, and another handle (I like the shorter "Law Enforcement" style best), and now I've got a set of screwdrivers customized for my guns, all for around 55-60 bucks.

I retired the Chapmans from the gun toolbox, and now use them around the house. The Wheeler Engineering sets Midway sells look nice, too, but I'm sold on the Magna-Tips.

You will never regret buying quality tools to work on your guns.

Jason_G · June 8, 2007, 09:19 PM

Any manual (not power) bit driver with hollow ground bits will do the trick if you're in a pinch, as long as you're careful.

Jason

hoytinak · June 9, 2007, 02:51 AM

+1 on the Brownells Magna-Tip

Wildalaska · June 9, 2007, 03:22 AM

Brownells...the set of choice for most gunsmiths and serious hobbyists

WilddontforgetthinandmetircsifyouworkwithUSELESSeurotrashrevolversandautoslikeidoAlaska

Plink · June 9, 2007, 02:11 PM

The Chapman sets are well thought out. They have most every size you'll need and are small enough to toss in your cleaning gear or wherever. I used them for many years.

Nathan · June 9, 2007, 02:21 PM

The B Square kit is a great place to start and just needs bits added to become a pro set. Better way to get started than a $50 Brownells kit for most. Also, you should probably look into the Midway USA torque wrench also.

FirstFreedom · June 9, 2007, 06:42 PM

Does the Brownells set include one of those variable/adjustable torque driver handles?

Nathan · June 9, 2007, 09:02 PM

Not that I have seen. Beware a good screwdriver torque wrench can be expensive. The one from Miway USA is probably all you need for what we are trying to do.

**Shane Tuttle** · June 9, 2007, 11:16 PM

I don't mean to hijack your thread, but what to you guys think of this wheeler set? It may be a little bit over the top for what you're asking for, pinestraw. But, you never know...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=439523

Martyn4802 · June 12, 2007, 02:01 PM

I have the Brownell's Magna Tip set along with the Wheeler kit. Both are well made, and I use both. The issue is finding the right bit for the job, and what one doesn't have the other does, 99% of the time anyway.

UniversalFrost · June 12, 2007, 05:46 PM

I picked up a pachymar set for around 10 bucks to throw in my range bag and they have worked out great. Also have the wheeler 89 piece or something like that set for my workbench, but the wheeler set cost almost 90 bucks when I got it and there are way too many bits that i will never use.

RedneckFur · June 12, 2007, 10:56 PM

In my range bacg i cary a scredriver i got at hope depot for about $5 bucks. Its one of those Husky brand drivers that has 2 double sided bits. Two flat bits that are hollow ground, and two phillips tips. I use it on all my guns and it seems to work for almost anything. Heck, I mounted 2 scopes with it tonight.

June 4, 2007, 07:27 PM	#1
pinestraw Member Join Date: October 24, 2005 Posts: 57	Gunsmith Screwdrivers Looking to buy set of screwdrivers. Don't want to spend a lot, but want to get a quality set for occassional use. Not a gunsmith. Any suggestions, experiences?

June 4, 2007, 09:39 PM	#4
jdm357 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: south Indiana Posts: 133	I got a decent set in Walmart, in the hunting/shooting supplies. I don't know if you like Walmart or not; but it's an idea. Haven't used them that much, they seem sturdy enough, and it was $20 I think, with a hardshell carrying case as well. I am not a gunsmith by any means and I just got them for occasional use, so you might want to look elsewhere, but they might hold on just fine as well.. __________________ This too shall pass.

June 9, 2007, 11:16 PM	#15
Shane Tuttle Staff Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 9,443	I don't mean to hijack your thread, but what to you guys think of this wheeler set? It may be a little bit over the top for what you're asking for, pinestraw. But, you never know... http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=439523 __________________ If it were up to me, the word "got" would be deleted from the English language. Posting and YOU: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

June 12, 2007, 05:46 PM	#17
UniversalFrost Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,300	I picked up a pachymar set for around 10 bucks to throw in my range bag and they have worked out great. Also have the wheeler 89 piece or something like that set for my workbench, but the wheeler set cost almost 90 bucks when I got it and there are way too many bits that i will never use. __________________ Lifetime member VFW and NRA "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (when all else fails play dead) -Red Green

June 4, 2007, 08:35 PM	#2
ZeSpectre Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Shenandoah Valley Posts: 3,276	B-Square sets can usually be found in Gander mountain and tons of places online. Simple starter sets are pretty inexpensive all the way up to major sets with a gazillion bits.

June 4, 2007, 09:32 PM	#3
skeeter1 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 3,403	Midsouth Shooter Supply has quite a few different sets for what seem like reasonable prices. http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.co...54%4F%4F%4C%53

June 5, 2007, 12:01 AM	#5
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Posts: 1,559	I keep a Chapman screwdriver set in my range gear and it goes in my hunting gear also. I have the Brownell's set on my bench, but for your use, the Chapman will is just what you need. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=510765

June 5, 2007, 05:57 PM	#6
Cpl Nobbs Member Join Date: February 1, 2007 Posts: 65	+1 on the chapmans, they have replaced all my other screwdrivers for all work.

June 8, 2007, 07:14 PM	#7
TJ 1911 Junior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 8	How many guns do you own? Brownells sells their Magna-Tip line in sets to fit particular guns. I bought a set of bits which will fit all the screws on an S&W, plus a handle, for around 12 bucks. Accumulated some additional individual bits, a box, and another handle (I like the shorter "Law Enforcement" style best), and now I've got a set of screwdrivers customized for my guns, all for around 55-60 bucks. I retired the Chapmans from the gun toolbox, and now use them around the house. The Wheeler Engineering sets Midway sells look nice, too, but I'm sold on the Magna-Tips. You will never regret buying quality tools to work on your guns.

June 8, 2007, 09:19 PM	#8
Jason_G Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,902	Any manual (not power) bit driver with hollow ground bits will do the trick if you're in a pinch, as long as you're careful. Jason

June 9, 2007, 02:51 AM	#9
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	+1 on the Brownells Magna-Tip

June 9, 2007, 03:22 AM	#10
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	Brownells...the set of choice for most gunsmiths and serious hobbyists WilddontforgetthinandmetircsifyouworkwithUSELESSeurotrashrevolversandautoslikeidoAlaska

June 9, 2007, 02:11 PM	#11
Plink Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: W. Texas Posts: 83	The Chapman sets are well thought out. They have most every size you'll need and are small enough to toss in your cleaning gear or wherever. I used them for many years.

June 9, 2007, 02:21 PM	#12
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	The B Square kit is a great place to start and just needs bits added to become a pro set. Better way to get started than a $50 Brownells kit for most. Also, you should probably look into the Midway USA torque wrench also.

June 9, 2007, 06:42 PM	#13
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Does the Brownells set include one of those variable/adjustable torque driver handles?

June 9, 2007, 09:02 PM	#14
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	Not that I have seen. Beware a good screwdriver torque wrench can be expensive. The one from Miway USA is probably all you need for what we are trying to do.

June 12, 2007, 02:01 PM	#16
Martyn4802 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Grayling, Michigan Posts: 737	I have the Brownell's Magna Tip set along with the Wheeler kit. Both are well made, and I use both. The issue is finding the right bit for the job, and what one doesn't have the other does, 99% of the time anyway.

June 12, 2007, 10:56 PM	#18
RedneckFur Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2007 Location: Central NC Posts: 1,424	In my range bacg i cary a scredriver i got at hope depot for about $5 bucks. Its one of those Husky brand drivers that has 2 double sided bits. Two flat bits that are hollow ground, and two phillips tips. I use it on all my guns and it seems to work for almost anything. Heck, I mounted 2 scopes with it tonight.