What brand of gunsmithing screwdrivers do you use?

I have a Chapman set with a few broken bits and might try a little bigger set-up than the 4320.

What do you like?

GF

I like the Chapman set I have.

The absolutely best and the industry standard are the Brownell's Magna-Tip driver bits.
These are the hardest, best polished, and best quality there is.
They also offer far more sizes then anyone else.
If you ever break or damage a bit, just email Brownell's and they'll send you a new bit FREE.

You can try these by buying a S&W revolver-specific set that has a handle and 3 bits to fit S&W screws.

S&W SCREWDRIVER | Brownells

If you like them, buy as large a master set as you can afford.
I recommend buying a law enforcement size handle. It's the perfect size to give good control.
These come in magnetic or clip retention.
Most sets offer choices on the handle size.
I recommend buying both a magnetic and clip-tip handle, since you often need both.

MAGNA-TIP SUPER SETS? | Brownells

LAW ENFORCEMENT HANDLES | Brownells

The Brownell's set is far better then the Chinese made Wheeler sets, and offer way more bits then the Chapman.
As you need them buy additional Magna-Tip bits.

This is a high quality, professional tool set. You'll only need to buy one set a lifetime.

I agree. I've used Brownells Magna-tip handles and bits for years. They are high quality tools. I like the small shank LE handle with the storage compartment in the handle. Sort of a "travelling bit set" when you need to take it to the range, etc. Also, Brownells Customer Service is one of the best in the industry, in my opinion.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

I have two Chapman sets and a set of Grace hollowground screwdrivers. Anything else I need I make my own as needed!

Bought a Brownell's 58 bit Master Set about 10 years ago. Wish I'd bought it sooner.

I bought these as they are represented to be "a S&W revolver-specific set". They are really nice bits, great quality, but, "a S&W revolver-specific set"? Not even close. They're "wrong" widths and bit thicknesses. A Forster-Bonanza 2 & 16 screw driver will do you better.

I started with this bald eagle set. I put it in a smaller holder and carry it in my range bag. It is the same set S&W sold a few years ago. I find the sizes are good because the side plate screws will vary a little.

I do agree that Brownells have the best bits.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Bald Eagle BE1025 Power Bit Set

I have used the Chapman, Brownells, and Wheeler sets. I have broken a few bits on the Chapman and Wheeler, but only when I was using excessive torque and that is when you want the bit to break, not the screw.

I guess it depends on how many bits you need (variety of sizes) and how much you are willing to pay. I view the Wheeler as far superior to the Chapman sets (mainly due to size of bits) and equivalent in quality. The Brownells set is the highest quality but much higher in cost. Your choice. But having the correct size bit of any of the three are FAR superior to not having the correct size tip and using the wrong size. It it doesn't fit properly, don't turn.

I have an old Chapman set from 1982.

Only replaced 2 of the smallest tips in all of this time.
Not a large range of tips, but it is an old, dependable friend.

Don't forget to buy a Brownells grinding wheel also to make some custom fit bits. No matter which set you buy and how many bits there are, there is always going to be a screw that there is not a good fit for. Especially if you work on Browning shotguns like the Superposed and the A5.

I have a set of Bonanza gunsmith screwdrivers that I bought from Larry Potterfield's original little store west of Columbia, Missouri about 30 years ago. They are very good quality.

They are now called Forster/Bonanza, I think, and I cannot speak to current quality.

Forster 8-Piece Gunsmith Screwdriver Set

I've never liked the switcher-roo type screwdriver tools.
Just a pain it seems to me.
Interchangable most anything I get frustrated with. Socket sets are OK.

I've got lots of screwdrivers, Some are old timers gotten at garage sales and the like. Many from who knows where.
You can tell an older quality USA made one when you see it.
Or just make them,,it's not hard and you learn a little too.
They don't have to be fancy.

Grind them to what you need.
Re-grind them when they need it.

Actually you should be able to just cleanly cut them with a good quality new file if they are of the right temper.
Just about the same hardness as a through hardened and drawn sear.

I started with the Brownells S&W set and soon realized the fit (width and thickness) could be better for removing the side plate. Magna tips will only touch my screws, but I bought a bunch a la carte and made a little holder out of a block of wood and never looked back. I haven't broke one yet either and having a good selection on sizes allows me to get the best fit each time. I can remove and reinstall screws without you even noticing (no damage).

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USS ZELLARS
DD-777

I like this one from B-Square...

Amazon.com: B-Square Professional Gunsmith Screwdriver Set: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417lXZWQxHL.@@AMEPARAM@@417lXZWQxHL

i'm with mr dfariswheel....a brownells set works best for me..top quality

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

I'll never use anything but Grace screwdrivers. Broke a small one a couple of years back, and when I called to replace it they wouldn't let me pay for it even though I'd abused it. Then they also included the correct screwdriver for the job I was doing free of charge. Unbelievable customer service.

I keep the B-Square set in my range bag. It's no where near the quality of Brownell's, but works fine for occasional work when you need a screwdriver now. It's saved the day for more than one of my fellow competitors when their gun went south during a match.

Yes, I just made do with a Chinese set, the handle is junk and the bits are slightly out of spec, I had a rear guard screw in an old FN that was already ugly, but I had to get MEAN with it to get it out. I used a 1/4" ignition rench to apply the necessary manpower as the bit had a hex head drive, I believe they are the Wheelers, useful but not the quality I was expecting, they will likely go back. billy magg

While I have a complete Brownell set, the screwdrivers I always grab first are a Grace 7 Piece Pistolsmith Screwdriver Set.
A Brownell driver with the S&W tip set resides in my range bag.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Me too. Brownell's is the best amatuer gunsmithing screwdriver set I own, now.

The B-Square is NO where near the quality of the Brownell's. However, all bits and drivers are held firmly inside the case!
And it does make a nice portable, emergency repair kit.

ONLY cry once! Buy the Brownell and you're set for a loooooooong time!

I started out with a set of Grace and they're OK but not as good as the Brownell's brand.

If switching bits frustrates you just get a second handle. I ALSO like Brownell's "law enforcement handle" and for a few bucks just get an extra.

I also got an extra Dewey's Cleaning rod so that when I clean pistols and revolvers I do not have to switch the tips back and forth from bronze brush to jag. What premadonna's we are hey!!!

Out of all the different sets I have owned the Pachmayr Screwdriver Set is my favorite. There are slotted tips that fit Smith and Wesson screws, the newer and older thin slotted ones. None of the other bits fit the thin slot screws.

Gary
Lyman now owns Pachmayr and this set is still listed in catalog.

"...If switching bits frustrates you just get a second handle."...

I'd need about 50 extra handles to not be frustrating.
I know it's just me. Everyone else seems to get along well with them and they are a good product.
The shops I've worked in, most everyone else used them. Brownells brand seemed to be the pick of the interchangeable style.

But I just found them too slow to work with.

Regular screwdrivers,,'Grace' was the brand always seemed to be recommended to the fledging Gunsmith needing to go out and buy new stuff to stock the new work bench with.
Most every Gunsmithing/How-To book from the GunDigest era of the early 60's on it seems recommended those. Maybe owned stock in the company.


Yes, we do get set in our ways, sometimes to a fault.

good luck. every single one of their kits is out of stock.

^^^^^

Thanks for all the replies fellas! I found the same thing when I went to order the Brownells set that everybody recommended!

GF

Hang in there------ it will be worth the wait! Guess there's a lot of demand for them.

They won't be out of stock long.
The drivers are a key Brownell's product line.