I have been using a Craftsman SL 1/8 CMHT65017 screwdriver and actually bought a couple of them. One for the bench and one for my range bag, they really fit the crew slots nicely.

Any other suggestions and a source for them?

I have a Brownells Super Set and wouldn't consider anything else for gun work.

Understood...but I want a couple single screwdrivers for gun bags, range and etc.

Lots of expensive choices and preferences for "gunsmith" screwdrivers. In the case of S&W revolvers, you only need one.

This six inch one with a 3.5" shaft, is a Craftsman 41589K WF, 1/8", which has been around since my first trip to Springfield in 1980. It serves as a rebound spring tool, a plastic impact tool to remove the sideplate, and fits all of the screws. Fits in your hand without being too heavy. Shrink tape added. Cost is outrageous. $6.59





A little worse for wear but not bad for 40+ years.





Carter

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Thanks...kinda firms up where I have been with Craftsman screwdrivers. Yours is the longer bother of the one I mentioned. The best part is the handle is bigger and a better impact tool.

Hole in the sideplae is .165", or just a shade over 4mm, so you have to be careful there. Certainly don't want to damage the perimeter of the opening.

Wera makes some very nice small screwdrivers. On some of their models, the bits are treated to help keep them from camming out of the screw slot. In my opinion, if you're having trouble with a slotted screwdriver bit camming out of the screw head, then you're either using the wrong screwdiver, or the screw is in too tightly. Sideplate screws don't have to be overly tight.



Carter

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

You can get the Brownell's Magnatip "Law Enforcement" handle and just buy the hollow ground tips you need. They do make a handle version that has storage inside the handle to fit about half a dozen tips.

Gun screwdrivers should only be the Hollow Ground variety IMHO. While I own dozens of Craftsman's screwdrivers I do not and would not use them on gun screws. They do not properly fit.

Only problem with Craftsman screwdrivers is the handles stink after a while, and my wife complains every time I open my tool chest…

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Richard

Great. Now you tell me.

My favorite 40 year old Craftsman screwdriver (aka: multitool) doesn't fit, and it stinks. It's not even an expensive hollow ground one.

I'm devastated.



Carter

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

I actually use a S&W 'S.A.T.' (sight adjustment tool), ground and stoned to fit. It's 'semi-hollow-ground'. Works.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

I have several of the Brownell's screwdriver handles, but I prefer the Grace wood handle screwdrivers. I have an old set of S&W marked Grace screw drivers that I have been using for about 50 years!

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

What would you know anyway, huh?...

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Todd

Boy do they ever! My screwdriver sets and toolbox are 52 years old, and they still stink when I pull the screwdriver drawer open.
I'm glad, in a way, that it's not just my imagination or my set of screwdrivers that are like that.
Thanks for confirming I'm not crazy.

Hollow Ground screw drivers only when
working on guns! No magnetic tips either.

I’ll up you one too. A Paper Hole Punch and
Blue Tape. This is for putting on a protective
surface around the Screw Hole.

I started with the circa early 1980s Chapman
set. I just grind the Bits to fit if needed or grip
another quality screw driver to make what I
need.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

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SD social distanc'n since 1889

While I have a couple fancy and expensive kits, I often just reach for the unnamed yellow plastic-handled slot screwdriver that came in my S&W revolver armorer kit. The slot head is exactly the size needed. I'm guessing it was very inexpensive.

If I'm not in any hurry, I'll get out one of the drivers from one of the fancy kits, and change slot head tips to be ... cool.

FWIW, learning to guide the tip to the slot, and keep it centered, using the edge of a support thumb as a 'guide', is helpful.

Whoever assembled my first M&P 340 apparently had their driver slip at one point. The black finish of the frame looked fine, until I wiped the R/side, around the yoke screw, when cleaning it for the first time. A bright shiny 'ring' was revealed around most of the edge of the yoke screw hole in the frame.

My guess is that the assembler grabbed a handy black marker to cover the 'blemish' , and then boxed it up. I'd bought it as an off-duty weapon and range beater, so I didn't call about it. Sloppy, though. It has more nicks, scratches and dings on it nowadays.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Funny - I have some Craftsman screwdrivers that stunk so bad I either exchanged them for new ones (when Sears was around), or tossed them. I even tried cleaning and sanding them - that did not work! They are inexpensive enough that I did not feel guilt tossing a few.

The Brownell's Magnatips & handles are reasonably priced enough that there is no excuse to use a regular blade IMO. The screw you bugger up will cost more to replace than the proper screwdriver tip!

I have Brownell's Magna Tips , I can't stand it have to remove the side plate see what the internals looks like.

Just saw the Wheeler 26 bit hollow ground kit in ebay. Are they good? USA made?
Suitable for S&W sideplate screws?
Thanks, regards , Ray

I have a Wheeler set that includes many ultra-thin bits.

I just got this, and when I pulled it apart to clean and Ren wax it I had every exact bit I needed.

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Richard

I bought an expensive Chapman set, but I learned by GunBlue 490 youtube channel that a simple modified screwdriver is the best tool to own

Brownell's sell firearms -specific driver sets in the Magna-Tip line, including for the S&W....

BROWNELLS S&W REVOLVER COMBO

BROWNELLS S&W SCREWDRIVER

Or you can just buy a "law enforcement" size handle and the individual bits.
These are the top of the line in gunsmith drivers and if you damage a bit, just email them and they'll send you a free replacement.

As you need them for other jobs you can add to the set and build a large set that will fit virtually any firearm.

Brownells also sells a pair of small grinding wheels for shaping hollow ground screwdrivers. I use them (in a drill press) to obtain an exact fit when needed.

I have made more custom screwdrivers than I can remember. Every time I get , acquire or break an old screwdriver, I use it as a doaner to make a custom made gun tool, general tool or hollow ground screwdriver. I have made rebound slide removal tools, awls, bent hooks, probes and of course custom made hollow ground blades to fit specific gun screws. I keep a bunch of them in my tool box, gun bags and have gifted a few friends with some of them - mostly for Range sight adjustment. I have also cut the handles on a few to make them more compact and smaller for more delicate sight adjustments.

I also have many, many factory made screwdrivers such as Snap-on, Craftsman, Wiha, Channellock, Yankee #90, Vaco, Mac, Proto, Milwaukee, blah, blah, blah - but my gun smithing screwdriver set has been and always will be Apex or Brownell's Magnatip's! To the best of my knowledge, the Brownell's Magnatip's are manufactured by Apex. Apex makes the finest specialty and industry driver tips on the planet (used by Military and Aircraft industry)! I have used their bits for 40 years both professionally and in my home and they are the absolute best you can get!! When you use them in a commercial or industrial environment, that really puts a tool to the test! We used to put more use on a driver in one day than many will in a lifetime!

Brownell's sells many products at somewhat high prices, however their Magnatip line is actually quite reasonably priced! Again, anybody who works on guns should IMO just "bite the bullet" and get the ones you need. Pro's should get the set. While other manufacturers make hollow ground screwdrivers too, I have found none at all that are as good. BTW, I get not one red cent from Brownell's for pushing their Magnatips! IMO they are the best!

Craftsman mini ratchet handle

I've been using the Brownell's Magna-tip screwdriver set for S&W for years without any issues.

It seems out of stock at Brownells
Regards Ray

I have a couple from Brownells too. Good screwdrivers. All I use too.