Gunsmith Screwdrivers
 

I would like opinions on the best gunsmith screwdriver set.

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.

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

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.

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.

Brownells, hands down.

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

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

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

+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)