I have several -2's and some older revolvers. Who makes a quality gunsmithing screw driver set that help keep my factory screws looking mint?

The Brownells Magna Tips are my favorites. They make a 4 bit set for S&W link and you just pick the handle you want.

Yes, the Brownell's Magna-tips are definitely the way to go.

+1 for Brownells magna tips

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Randy
Provenance nerd

Since nobody else has done so, I'll suggest Brownell's Magna-Tips.

Does anyone know anything about Brownell Magna Tips??

Since so many love the magna-tip, and with good reason, I will suggest two others that are quite good.

Grace hollow ground gunsmithing screwdrivers are top quality. In addition, I bought a set from Larry Potterfield when he still had his small little gun shop just west of Columbia, Missouri more than 30 years ago. They have held up to all sorts of abuse over the years, and I have never damaged an S&W screw with those.

So, Magna-tip, Grace and Bonanza are three that I think are top-notch.

I like Grace hollow ground screwdrivers!

I have owned a set of Brownell's Magna Tip screwdrivers since 1984. I used them for gunsmithing for 15 years AND NEVER BROKE A TIP!!!

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Ok, I get it guys....stay away from the Brownell's Magna Tips

Thanks for the replies. Looks like the $50 set is decent value. Would those flat head tips cover the side plate screws for an S&W?

MAGNA-TIP® SETS | Brownells

I have a set of Bonanza screwdrivers and the Brownell S&W tips. I plan to add the Brownel LE handle and extra tips soon. Note, if you have a drill press Brownells used to sell a round shaft mounted stone that you could use to redress the tips or make a custom width tip. (Think turning your drill press into a giant Dremel, obviously you must use care to keep the sides aligned with each other and square.)

I like the Bonanza small drivers because the handle diameter is proportional to the size of the screw, I find I need to take extra care with the interchangeable tips when the tip is small and I have it in my Stanley short/fat handle, it would be very easy to over torque.

I have the Brownell S&W 4 bit set with magnetic handle in my range bag. For me, I think it's kind of a pain to unscrew the cap, get the bits out, plug the right one in, screw the cap back on etc. So I don't really use it much. Instead I have two dedicated screwdrivers with fixed blades. One for the sideplate, one for the grips. I rarely adjust the rear sights but if I do I have a small screwdriver for that. The big Brownell's handle with that tiny sight bit is way overkill.

My recommendation is dedicated drivers instead of interchangable, if you have the space.


Sgt Lumpy

I wonder if Brownell's has anything.

Seriously, I bought the Wheeler set, and immediately found that it didn't contain one thin enough to fit my Caesar Guerini, or maybe it was my wife's Winchester 101 forearm, whatever...so I ground one down until it did. All those extra special purpose tips, and not a simple straight blade thin enough for what I bought the kit for.

I'm hoping Brownell's carries something...

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Fight socialism. Never stop.

I suggest you call Brownells and speak to a tech rep. Tell him you want the specific ones for all S&W revolver screws. They will sell you the ones you need, and not the ones you don't. While you are ordering, you might as well get the rear sight blade installation tool and the rebound slide tool as well.

The older Brownell's Magna-Tip Master sets contained thin bits, which was size One, for all widths.
Now it seems they sell the thin bits as extras, since they aren't used on most guns these days.

Thin bits:

MAGNA-TIP® THIN-BITS | Brownells

The S&W specific bits are:
.120-1
.150-3
.210-2
.210-4

One trick that can be used if you don't want to switch bits in the handle is to buy four cheap hardware store handles and epoxy the bits into the handles.
If you break a bit, email Brownell's and they'll send you a new bit FREE.
Then just heat the broken bit enough the soften the epoxy, extract it from the handle and epoxy in the new bit.

Does the 24 piece magna tip kit have the right blades for the S&W side plate or do I need the S&W screwdriver with the 4 tips? I have been reading a lot and read the magna tip kits wouldn't work on the S&W. What kit would you all recommend (24 or 44 piece kit) and do I need the added expense of the S&W blades? I have quite a few firearms but I am not a gunsmith.

Thanx, nod

I have a Brownells superset (or whatever you call it) and the added thin bit set, regular handle and LE (short ) handle.
99.9 % of the guns I work on daily,including alot of S/W 2" revolvers, get the same Craftsman small screwdriver that is laying on the bench ,as long as it fits the screwhead, about 99.9% of the time if the screwhead is big then I use a bigger screwdriver, usually one from the set, or IF the screw doesnt unscrew easily and I may have to put a little oil/heat/ force on it I use the head that fits exactly the screwhead.
More about paying attention and putting on the right glasses to see what your doing , that causes messed up screws. Put the gun on a table/mat etc, holding the gun in one hand and unscrewing with the other is a prescription for a scratch.
That being said, if you go to any do it yourself store they generally have a great assortment of hollowground sets in warious thicknesses for cheap and they work fine , and if you need to grind one width wise its no big deal. You dont have 100s invested in the screwdriver set.If the screw is stuck you can break any blade, if you turn too hard. Use heat, oil ,etc and then try it.
You do need a short fixed handle (stay away from any ratcheting handle.)
Here are a couple sets from stores, I buy them up for guys I work with that want to work on their guns ,make nice gifts. Less than 10.00 for both of these. Just pitch the handles, or keep them for working around the house. MY .02 Good luck, Bob
P.S. There is nothing wrong with the more expensive sets if thats what you want , Ive just found them really unnecessary.

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The standard kit should have the same bits as the S&W-specific handle set has. You shouldn't have to buy them extra.

The bits in the S%W handle set are:
.120-1
.150-3
.210-2
.210-4

Those will be in most all the standard sets.

Thank you all.

nod