Best screwdriver to fit the tiny K22 sight screws?

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M25max

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Can anyone point me to a quality screwdriver with the proper tip to perfectly fit the tiny K22 sight adjustment screws? I have tried several and they don’t fit well. An original Sight Adjustment Tool (SAT) would be awesome but I don’t have the money for that. I do have the money for a quality hollow ground and properly heat treated screwdriver. Does Grace make one or Wera or similar?

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Thank you for the reference to Brownells. I also saw some reference to Kobalt screwdrivers and some other brands. I like Brownells, but lately the things I want are out of stock. I have been trying to get a 1911 mainspring push pin tool and it has been out of stock for years. Alternatives would be nice to know about.
 
Yeah, in many ways Brownells is currently a shell of its former self. They carry much less stuff than they used to and so many items are not in stock at any given time. I kind of use a combination of Brownells, MidwayUSA, MidSouth, Jack First, Numrich Shooting Supplies, TK Custom, Power Custom, Wheeler, etc. for my gunsmithing supplies and aftermarket gun parts. At one time, I bought almost everything I needed from Brownells and they sent me their big printed catalog yearly. Those days went the way of the wooly mammoth.
 
 
Neumann said:
You should start with a set of traditional gunsmithing screwdrivers, hollow ground.

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Does the small screwdriver in the Grace set you show fit the small screws on the K22 Outdoorsman sight?
 
While I agree that if you do much work on guns, you really need a nice, comprehensive set of hollow ground screwdriver bits, hex and Torx bits, etc., this set is inexpensive and has all the slotted screwdriver bit sizes you need for Smith revolvers:

www.brownells.com

BROWNELLS S&W REVOLVER COMBO

Check out BROWNELLS S&W REVOLVER COMBO available Online at Brownells Today and many more Screwdrivers & Sets products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.
www.brownells.com www.brownells.com
 
Vtgw938 said:
Be very careful with the leaf screw, It is so easy to bugger it up and it may be stuck. Penetrating oil and heat if it is at all stubborn and have replacements on hand.
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Where can I get a replacement leaf screw?
 
Vtgw938 said:
Be very careful with the leaf screw, It is so easy to bugger it up and it may be stuck. Penetrating oil and heat if it is at all stubborn and have replacements on hand.
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Yes it is, especially since the slot in the screw is so shallow. You have to have the screwdriver perfectly square and fully seated.
 
M25max said:
Where can I get a replacement leaf screw?
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I've been able to get them when I order from Brownells or such if they are in stock. Numrich, Jack First and ebay are other sources. Don't know about that old K-22. I take the rear sights off because I often find rust, otherwise I wouldn't.
 
I ground a Chapman bit to match. I always keep a few extra bits to carve into a perfect fit.
 
Reading this post and realized I have a pre-war Outdoorsman, a Brownells S&W specific screwdrivers and an 85 pc. Wheeler screwdriver set. Let's see what fits. Answer: Sorry, nothing I have on hand is even close, every bit is too large. The closest is the smallest bit in the wheeler set, bit no. 152-854. The thickness looks good but too wide. If you use this one you are going to have a nice ring of bare steel around the screw when you make the first turn.
I guess I now have the same question as the OP, what is the correct screwdriver for this tiny set of screws?
So far the options for me are grind down the Wheeler bit to fit or pony up for a pre-war SAT.
 
I agree that sets with removable bits are the most versatile. I have a couple of them, but use regular drivers when possible for better control.
 
Fullmetaljacket said:
Reading this post and realized I have a pre-war Outdoorsman, a Brownells S&W specific screwdrivers and an 85 pc. Wheeler screwdriver set. Let's see what fits. Answer: Sorry, nothing I have on hand is even close, every bit is too large. The closest is the smallest bit in the wheeler set, bit no. 152-854. The thickness looks good but too wide. If you use this one you are going to have a nice ring of bare steel around the screw when you make the first turn.
I guess I now have the same question as the OP, what is the correct screwdriver for this tiny set of screws?
So far the options for me are grind down the Wheeler bit to fit or pony up for a pre-war SAT.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much. You clarified this issue a lot. It’s nice to know the S&W specific bits from Brownells doesn’t work. Now if only someone made a reproduction SAT.

I am not so into grinding down a bit to fit. 152-854 might be the ticket if I have to do that though.
 
M25max said:
Thank you so much. You clarified this issue a lot. It’s nice to know the S&W specific bits from Brownells doesn’t work. Now if only someone made a reproduction SAT.

I am not so into grinding down a bit to fit. 152-854 might be the ticket if I have to do that though.
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This is surprising! All I can tell you is that the smallest bit in my Brownells S&W set fits my K22, 18, and all my other square tang tiny leaf screws, which are all the same size. I don't have a pre-war, but my K22 was made in 1956/57 time frame.
 
Thaddeus Beauregard said:
This is surprising! All I can tell you is that the smallest bit in my Brownells S&W set fits my K22, 18, and all my other square tang tiny leaf screws, which are all the same size. I don't have a pre-war, but my K22 was made in 1956/57 time frame.
Click to expand...
The sights on a post war K22 have the micrometer adjustment sights from what I have been told and those use different screws.
 
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