Gunsmith Screwdrivers

[Mike Franzen]

I would like opinions on the best gunsmith screwdriver set.

[Channing Will]

Brownells magna tip are excellent. If you prefer fixed blade Forster makes a good product as well. I was never impressed with the Galazan Hardstahl screwdrivers, the handles were huge and the blades felt unbalanced in the hand. I have a set of their English turn screws but you are limited to grinding them to fit which the magna tips solve.

[Dave Tercek]

Brownell's magna-bit set along with the magna-bit thin bit set covers about everything .
Dave

[James L. Martin]

I have been using a set of Brownell's for 20 + years ,except for a few that I broke and replaced they are great. Buy the complete set so you can match the tip to the width and length of the screw.

[Kevin McCormack]

I have for years used Chapman's compact multiple bit set as a backup to grinding my own driver heads. Their heat treatment is such that the bit will break before the screw in situations where the screw is 'frozen" in. (You always have to remember to reheat-temper the bit when you grind your own - experience gives you the color required for correct hardness). They are great people to do business with and you can actually get a live human being on the phone when you call! (860-349-9228 or www.chapmanmfg.com). They also have an excellent 1-page tutorial on tips for working with metal and wood screws so nothing gets buggered up.

I have found that a few common, high-production guns such as the early Belgian-made Browning Auto-5s require an extremely thin bit for external action screws, and of course any of the hand fit British and European guns require very thin bits indeed.

[Richard Flanders]

Brownells, hands down.

[Rick Losey]

i agree on the Brownells - have had them for more years than i care to count

any set comes with the caveat that you may need to do a little grinding for an exact fit - but getting additional tips is easy

and they do have some specialty sets

[chris dawe]

Brownells ,you can also buy the tips direct from the manufacturer

[Randy G Roberts]

I concur, Brownell's Magna-tip. Covers everything I need as a hobbyist and comes in a nice case that transports easily.

[Scot Cardillo]

+1 ~ Brownells set.

I also find ratcheting drivers very, very useful because you can maintain contact pressure with the screw at all times w/out the need to adjust the position of your hand. Add to the mix a handful of Grace drivers for the odd screw and a fella's all set.

Clamp the gun in a vise!!

I wholly endorse the palm driver in the photo. (Snap-On p/n SSDMRT4)

[Brian Dudley]

The Brownells Magna-tip bits are great. And, they are lifetime warrantied. If you break a bit, or two, or three... call them up and they will send replacements. That really helps in deciding to make the purchase. If you buy the super set, or some others for that matter, the thin bit set is not really needed since all those sizes come in the larger sets anyway.

They also offer grinding stones for custom grinding the bits. Or you can grind them with your own equipment.

Many custom gunsmiths will thumb their nose at the Brownells bits and say that custom ground turn screws are better. That is all fine and well if you are only working on one gun. But if you are working on many, it is great to have the variation in pits to choose from. Even on Parkers, the same screws on different eras of guns can have different sized slots.

[Mike Franzen]

Thanks for all the great perspectives. I had a set of Chapman’s but God only knows where they’ve gotten themselves to. I think I’m going with the Brownells this time around.

[edgarspencer]

Well wouldn't it be just like me to go against the grain. I've had both, and prefer the Wheeler set.


https://www.midwayusa.com/product/439523/wheeler-engineering-89-piece-professional-plus-gunsmithing-screwdriver-set

[Rich Anderson]

Edgar you play outside the ring a lot:rotf:

[Bill Holcombe]

I had a wheeler set and just got tired of the replaceable bits.

A friend who I talk Colt SAAs with turned me onto Grace USA.

They make fabulous screwdrivers for guns.

http://www.graceusatools.com/item-details.php?item_id=31&category_id=2

They all kinds of different sets. They aren't the cheapest, but I have loved them.

[edgarspencer]

Edgar you play outside the ring a lot:rotf:

Why, Yes Rich. Yes I do. Never was much of a 'me too'.

[Mark Ray]

I just kinda like the old school wood handles on the grace tools...

[James J. Roberts]

I to like Brownell's Magna tips,but before I do any work on a gun I apply PB Blaster lubricant to all the screws and never had a problem removing stuberent screws. J.J.

[Rich Anderson]

Why, Yes Rich. Yes I do. Never was much of a 'me too'.

me either. :whistle:

[Mike Franzen]

:bigbye:I chose the Brownells Master Super Set Plus. It’s a little pricey but appears everything is made in the USA.

[James L. Martin]

That's the same one I have used for over 25 plus years.

[John Campbell]

While a well-chosen Magna-Tip bit is a wise way to mate the proper tool to the proper screw slot, a CLEAN slot is essential.

Before attempting any work on a century-old screw/pin, please take the time to thoroughly clean 100+ years of oil, grease and dirt from the slot! A common safety pin or push pin works well for this.

This way, the proper bit fits properly and to the BOTTOM of the slot for optimum interface and torque application.

[Randy G Roberts]

Good choice Mike, same set I have. With any luck you will not need it, often.

[James J. Roberts]

I made special screw driver bits out of allen wrenches for use with my drill press to remove stubborn screws,from older guns,use PB Blaster penetrating formula first. J.J.

[Richard Flanders]

Cleaning screw slots with anything harder than a round toothpick can easily lead to scratches. I learned that the hard way. Soften the goo with something then use a toothpick or two or three or ten, if necessary. Using a pin of any kind is a very bad idea. They love to jump out of the slot and scratch the receiver.

[John Campbell]

Using a pin of any kind is a very bad idea. They love to jump out of the slot and scratch the receiver.

Sorry to tell you this Richard, but the push pin I've used for decades hasn't harmed a thing so far. Of course I use it with care. And... toothpicks tend not to get all the crud out for me. Then again, I've had a lot of bad ideas in my life...