Brownells has a set of 58 pieces, called the master set, I believe.
Has anyone ever used them, and are they an all around good set of straight blades and phillips head. I have the S&W screwdriver set, but also have other guns, and need a good set for over all tinkering on my other pieces. Thanks

I've got it. Worth twice the price. Great set . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I have one set in the workshop, one set in the house, another set in the garage, one at the cabin, gave one to my son and another to my son-in-law!!!
Needless to say, I've found these to be the best ever.

I was going to buy one, bobbyd. But brownells told me they had sold them all to a "bobbyd. Seriously, thanks for the replies and I'll order one today.

I have their set with three blades that I use for removing grips and sideplates. They are great.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Brownell's magna-tip bits and handles are good quality drivers. If anything happens to them, Brownells will replace them.

I have the magnetic law enforcement handle and 12 different sized bits that handle ALL of my revolver needs. Just couldn't pay for the whole set when they weren't needed.

Only cry once - you'll be happy you did in the long run!!!!!!!!!!!

The Magna Tip handle I use the most is pushing 20 years old and going strong. I wont use anything else for gun work.
They are the best.

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Straight shootin'
SWCA#2439

I bought the Brownell screwdriver that was specifically for S&W that had 4 different size bits that stored in the handle. I also bought the LE magnetic handle because it's shorter. The 150-3 bit works great for the side plate screws on newer revolvers, but I ordered a 150-2 bit for older guns. It seems like the older ones have narrower screw slots.

I should add that my small collection consists mainly of Smith & Wesson revolvers.

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"Happiness is a warm gun"

The only thing that I don't like about them is not having bought them thirty years earlier.

Yes I have it and have added other bits to expand it over the years. I believe I first bought them 30 some odd years ago. I might have gotten some of the add-on bits directly from Apex that is the manufacturer.

IMHO they are the BEST we can get! PS: Brownell's will replace any Bits you break - just call them. No need to send in broken bit. In all the years I've been using mine, I only broke one and it was for a Browning A-5 screw that has a VERY VERY thin slot and so the bit is super thin and fragile.

The magnetic "Law Enforcement" style handle is the best IMO. I have 3 different handles but use the LE Handle 99% of the time.

I have Brownell's magna screw driver with a few bits but I still prefer the set of Grace screwdrivers with hollow ground tips I bought in 1979.

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135

Hmmm, and I just sold my Grace Set recently to a Forum Member here because I never used them anymore. I much preferred the Brownell's - but that's what makes horse races.

At least we still have choices.........

I have the Brownells set, the Forster minimal set, the Wheeler Engineering set.

Brownells' set, IMO, is the best. Forster's screwdrivers are too soft, and Wheeler's are too hard (and tend to fracture when you lay into torque them). Brownells' bits will tend to bend a little bit before breaking.

This is more of an issue for me than other gunsmiths, because I do lots of work on SxS and O/U shotguns, where often the thin screw slots were used as a way of preventing hack gunsmiths from getting into a really nice gun.

Mine have got to be pushing 30-35 years old. Couldn't get along without them.

My set is supposed to be on the little brown truck today. Looking forward to piddle a little bit on a new Uberti I got recently.

I bought the set in 1981 or so. Gritted my teeth at the price and told myself I would be using them for a long time. I still have the set and use it for all kinds of work, including working on guns. I also have a Wheeler set, but the quality is noticeably lower.

I've made THIS suggestion a few time before when a Screwdriver thread pops up. I would also recommend buying extra bits in small, medium and large and the Brownells grinding wheel so you can custom make one or two when you need to. No matter how many bits you buy, there is always going to be a screw that you need a better fit for. On a good gun the last thing you need is to bubba-up the screw!

By the way....... EVEN S&W SCREW SLOTS have varied over the years! Depending on their age, model and screw supplier, they are sometimes thinner than the more recent issued ones. You might want to prepare for that and have the ability to custom grind a bit.

I also find that the Brownell's grinding wheel gives you the ability to "resurface" the bit after many years of use for a sharer edge like it originally came with. All this can be done an a Bench Grinder too, but more skill is involved. The larger the diameter the wheel is the more difficult it is to get a good hollow grind and so the Brownell's wheel which is properly sized is very cost affective and worth getting IMO.

Absolutely great set.

I believe that the tips are all flat - no Phillips heads

Unless Brownell's has changed their policy:

1) Lifetime warranty on the tips

2) Discounts for military and LEOs/First Responders

Go for it!!

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That's what we do!

At the Sears outlet store yesterday I bought a really neat Craftsman set of small screwdriver and bits - three small Phillips, three cross-head, four Torx, four flat blades, and two square head, all of different sizes. These are all somewhat smaller than most standard 1/4" shank bits, and require a special smaller reversible ratchet driver with magnetic socket included. Comes in a very sturdy plastic box with hinged lid for the princely sum of less than $6 including tax. These will be great for small gun (or any other) screws, and I will probably keep the set in my range box. I am so impressed I may go back and buy another set for my tool chest at that price. The largest flat blade bit of the set fits sideplate screws perfectly.

Sorry those aren't ground correctly for gun screws.

I'm like Chief38. I started with the fairly basic set but soon learned that more tips were needed. Especially an assortment of about 10 of the really thin ones. The other thing to consider is not only do you need blades of the right thickness for the slot, they should also be as wide as the screw head so as to impart maximum torque, but not so wide as to scratch up the area around the screw hole, an important matter with countersunk screws. I must have about 50 tips now, the box is almost full. I have no use for the Phillips tips though. A good way to accumulate them is add a few to each Brownell's order since you are paying a minimum shipping charge anyway.

I bought this set from Midway 77 piece for 50 bucks. Very happy with it.

Weaver 77-Piece Multi Bit Gunsmithing Screwdriver Tool - MPN: 849718

I have a set of the Brownells and all of the extra bits that don't come in the 58 bit set. I think they are the best thing since sliced bread. No need to buy anything else.