What are the best set to buy for S&W revolvers between say 1950 and present?

Brownells sells some good sets, reasonably priced.

Brownell's Magna-tip Bits with the Magnetic Law Enforcement Handle. IMHO the BEST there is!

Brownell's sell a S&W-specific set of bits. These will fit virtually all S&W screws.

Don't buy the handle, just buy the bits and buy one of the "law enforcement" size handles.
These are the perfect size for good control and no slips, and come in magnetic or clip retention:

S&W REVOLVER COMBO | Brownells

LAW ENFORCEMENT HANDLES | Brownells

Brownells. To avoid paying shipping a bunch of times (which I did), buy the full set with the LE handle, and also buy the stubby handle, and buy the Smith and Wesson add on bits, because you'll always be wishing you had one more bit or handle and shipping is $7.95 no matter how much you buy. Probably $150 or so on the first downstroke, but well worth the money.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Taking your advice, thanks!

What is the significance or advantage of the LE handle?

The shaft is shorter. Puts you closer to the work to be done . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

While the Brownells set isn't cheap, it's a lifetime investment. I bought mine in the 80's and have used it often, and not just for firearms. If you own a 1911, then also have a bit designed expressly for the stock screw bushing that's a must.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Their bit prices are reasonable enough and if you ever break one (I broke only ONE) call them and they'll just throw a new one in the mail - free of charge. If you are handy you can even use the broken bit as a donor to regrind and make a smaller one for something else. You can make a split bit for S&W rear sight removal work

I believe that the Brownells bits are actually made by Apex which is the best of the best! Apex makes them and Brownells sells them. I used to buy wholesale directly from Apex and they are the same exact bits! I no longer need bulk amounts and so whenever I need bits - Brownell's is the place to go.

PS: Get the LE MAGNETIC handle - NOT the retaining clip version. The retaining clip is a royal pain - especially with oily and greasy fingers.

"PS: Get the LE MAGNETIC handle - NOT the retaining clip version. The retaining clip is a royal pain - especially with oily and greasy fingers."

Buy both, you'll have need for both. There are times you don't want a magnetic bit moving other parts out of place.
They're relatively cheap, so you can buy both and they last a lifetime.

Next order I'm going to try the new smaller LE handle that's larger then the stubby, but smaller then the standard LE.

I prefer Grace screwdrivers with the wood handle. I have Brownells, and Dillons sets, but reach for the Grace. They used to have a special set for Smiths, which I have had for 30 years or so, but do not now. However a few years back I sent them an email and they sent me three that fit Smith screws.

With the Grace set, you don't have to be changing bits all the time.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

As long as we are starting to get technical now, I will sort of respond to the last two posts:

I do own five different handles. Two are Magnetic and three are the clip retainer type. While I rarely use the clip type, when working on guns with many different screw heads I do use multiple handles for different bits to avoid constantly changing them. However, I much prefer the magnetic type handles and not only do they hold the bits in, but they hang on to small springs screws, pins etc. There ARE times when you do NOT want a magnetic tip - because you don't want parts to grab on, so buying BOTH might be a viable option as dferiswheel mentioned.

I also own three sets of fixed blade Grace screwdrivers and while I think they are good, I prefer the Brownells Magnatips much more. I find that the Grace brand is a bit on the brittle side and break more easily than the Brownells. Yes, the Grace fixed screwdrivers CAN be reground when they break, but I also think that the Brownells Magnatips are higher in quality, need less attention and almost never break. The TRUE TEST is when you work on Browning Shotguns from Belgium and you are working with the very very thin screw slots!!

The other great advantage of the Brownells Magnatip is that you can transport them in your gun kit, gun bag, or carry along tool box much easier because they take up much much less space than a whole set of fixed blade screwdrivers. One small box takes over 100 different bits along on any hunting or shooting trip!

If one just likes the idea of a fixed blade better than the Magnatips, (and sometimes I do when using a particular size very often), Brownells ALSO makes them and again, while I think the Grace brand is good, I truly believe the Brownells fixed blades are better. Just my opinion of course and YMMV.

I have no stock in Brownells Corp. but DO use screwdrivers of all types every day and so I do have lots of experience here. I also have a set of Snap-on fixed blade screwdrivers and find myself using them less and less while reaching for the Brownells more often even while NOT Gun Smithing. Yea, I think the Brownells are better quality than the Snap-on's also.

By the way, anyone who thinks the Brownells fixed blade sets are expensive, look at the price of Snap-on's which are NOT EVEN hollow ground tips!! IMHO Hollow Ground is so far superior to standard types do not even consider NON hollow ground screwdrivers for work on firearms!

This is what I use and I love them.

^ This.

And I think the Brownells bits have a lifetime warranty.

I bought the big set with the brown plastic box. All the bits came in a bag, you have to put them in order. Each bit is stamped with a number. From narrow and thin to wide and fat.

One of the best investments I ever made.

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John