Spend My Money! 640 642 686 Maintenance/Repair Tools, etc.

[TruckGun]

First, hopefully this is OK here instead of the gunsmithing section, since I'm trying to get a wider audience of DIYers and pros alike on "newer production" Smiths, and not a specific gunsmithing question.

It's time I finally invested a few dollars in some decent tools for maintaining my S&W wheels. I have a 642 Pro, a 686-4 Plus, and a 640-1 on the way from Centerfire.

I know the Magna Tips from Brownells are highly rated, and they offer a 4-bit kit for S&W revolvers, but is that really enough for all 3 guns? I'm tempted by the other larger sets they offer (within $$ constraints), but will they mostly sit unused? Also, which handle do you recommend?

I also think I outta buy the Kuhnhausen manual. Is the 5th edition any better or worse with the revisions than the 4th edition? Is it even going to be much help for the two Js? I thought I saw somewhere that it doesn't really apply to newer manufacture revos with MIM guts.

Any other specialty tools to make life easier? Torque wrench, spring tools etc? Which stones would you recommend if I, at some point, felt comfortable smoothing things up?

To give you some perspective, I'm obviously not a 'smith, but do more things DIY than most folks I know. Clutch and timing jobs on my cars, used to run a custom millwork shop making my own tooling from loose leaf knife stock for shapers, etc. to give some examples of my aptitude. I promise NOT to be arrogant and wreck something in my guns being too confident, I just want to have the right stuff on hand to do things correctly as I learn and grow. Let's say for now, $150 +/- is the total budget. Whaddya think?

 

[MajorD]

Other than tightening a screw every now and then (maybe) you should never have to do anything with your revolvers but shoot and every once in a while clean them do not over think this. The standard S&W screwdriver that comes in a kit with the guns and a small driver to tighten the smaller screw attaching the adjustable sight on those so equipped is all you are likely to ever need

 

[WC145]

I've had S&W revolvers for decades and never needed any tools beyond a decent set of hollow ground screw drivers. I do most of my own auto repair/maintenance as well, but if a gun needs action work beyond a spring kit it goes to a 'smith.

 

[ContinentalOp]

A good set of screwdrivers are all you'll most likely need. I have a Chapman set that serves me well.

If you plan on disassembling your gun, the rebound spring tool that Brownells sells is worth buying, in my opinion.

 

[Tom S.]

If $150 is your limit, you can't do it.

Really, it depends on how deep you want to get. Proper screwdrivers or bits are a must to begin with. I have the larger set of Brownell's and they get used on a lot more than just guns because they are so handy. I also recommend the standard magnetic handle, the law enforcement handle and the short handle. This alone will get you close to the $150 mark.

As stated by Continental Op, the rebound spring tool is very handy for removing the spring without sending it air born. I prefer a small phillips screwdriver for putting the springs back in however.


For more advanced work:

Unless you have a drill press handy, I also recommend Brownells ejector rod tools (2 sizes).

Bench block: again, Brownell's makes a nice one that is cheap - only $19, and it is made from some kind of synthetic material, so it won't mar your gun.

Stones: If you plan on doing any smoothing or dressing of parts, you need some good stones (or hones). You need at least 3, round, triangular and square. Like many things, you get what you pay for. I recommend harder ceramic stones. They leave a very smooth finish and seem to last forever.

Pin punches are nice to have, but for routine revolver work, you very seldom need them. If you ever decide to get into semi autos though, that's a whole different story.

Torque wrench/screwdriver handle is nice I guess, but I only use mine on scope and red dot mounts.

And lest I forget, if you ever get a "J frame" revolver, you'll need a paper clip. And a strong magnet for finding any wayward screws or springs.

Jerry Kuhnhausen's book is a must for anyone who ever wants to do anything more than just look at a revolver, IMHO. If you even think you want to take off the side plate, buy the book. Period.

This isn't meant to dissuade you in any way, in fact I mean to encourage you, if you are serious in getting into working on your S&W revolvers. Some of these tools won't get used often, but when needed will be well worth their price.

 

[Muss Muggins]

First, hopefully this is OK here instead of the gunsmithing section, since I'm trying to get a wider audience of DIYers and pros alike on "newer production" Smiths, and not a specific gunsmithing question.

It's time I finally invested a few dollars in some decent tools for maintaining my S&W wheels. I have a 642 Pro, a 686-4 Plus, and a 640-1 on the way from Centerfire.

I know the Magna Tips from Brownells are highly rated, and they offer a 4-bit kit for S&W revolvers, but is that really enough for all 3 guns? I'm tempted by the other larger sets they offer (within $$ constraints), but will they mostly sit unused? Also, which handle do you recommend?

I also think I outta buy the Kuhnhausen manual. Is the 5th edition any better or worse with the revisions than the 4th edition? Is it even going to be much help for the two Js? I thought I saw somewhere that it doesn't really apply to newer manufacture revos with MIM guts.

Any other specialty tools to make life easier? Torque wrench, spring tools etc? Which stones would you recommend if I, at some point, felt comfortable smoothing things up?

To give you some perspective, I'm obviously not a 'smith, but do more things DIY than most folks I know. Clutch and timing jobs on my cars, used to run a custom millwork shop making my own tooling from loose leaf knife stock for shapers, etc. to give some examples of my aptitude. I promise NOT to be arrogant and wreck something in my guns being too confident, I just want to have the right stuff on hand to do things correctly as I learn and grow. Let's say for now, $150 +/- is the total budget. Whaddya think?

For what you're going to be able to do, get the Brownell's full set and the manual.

 

[lefty_jake]

Even with just a few revolvers, you will need more than four screwdrivers. I have a Wheeler Engineering 80 piece set and I am satisfied with it. This set includes a rebound spring tool which I do find useful for removing rebound springs. I prefer a screwdriver for installing rebound springs.

Even with more than 60 screwdriver tips, I recently had to grind down a screwdriver to a get a satisfactory fit in a revolver screw. I forget which revolver, but it was not especially old or unusual. If you have a variety of revolvers, you will find a wide range of screws.

My Wheeler Engineering kit is about 10 years old, and I am satisfied with it. I have heard reports that their quality has gone down, but I do not have direct knowledge about that. I only hear high praise for the Brownell's screwdrivers, but they cost more money.

Also, if you are interested in revolvers, I recommend Jerry Miculek's Trigger Job video. I recommend this video even if you do not want to do trigger jobs. This video is one of the best gunsmithing videos that I have seen. It provides a detailed explanation of assembly, disassembly and parts function. And it tells you a lot about how Jerry thinks about revolvers. The Kuhnhausen books are an important technical resource, but they are not an introductory text.

Note that Jerry has another video on assembly and disassembly. Those subjects are well covered in the trigger job video, so I don't think that a video on assembly is necessary.

 

[TruckGun]

Tom and Jake, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed explanation; it's exactly what I was looking for. What are your thoughts on me buying a couple handles and 5-10 tips from Brownells a la carte, to free up dough for the video/manual and spring tools for now? I understand that I'll eventually own multiples as I circle back at a later time to buy a full set, and that's fine. If so, any chance you know if the 4 tips in the S&W specific kit are correct for my guns, and which others to add?

I realize that many things inside my guns are "smith only", but I also know that many are also possible for advanced DIYers WITH the correct tools. As stated in my first post, I acknowledge that I'm not there yet, but it's where I'm headed, even if some other folks are not comfortable going there. I do appreciate the cautionary point of view, however. Thanks to all who replied, and please keep any suggestions coming, gents!

 

[Muss Muggins]

Tom and Jake, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed explanation; it's exactly what I was looking for. What are your thoughts on me buying a couple handles and 5-10 tips from Brownells a la carte, to free up dough for the video/manual and spring tools for now? I understand that I'll eventually own multiples as I circle back at a later time to buy a full set, and that's fine. If so, any chance you know if the 4 tips in the S&W specific kit are correct for my guns, and which others to add?

The four tips in the S&W add on are the 210-2, the 210-4, the 150-3, and the 120-1. You'll probably need a 185-1 hex bit to take the grip panels off of those revolvers, and it doesn't come with the S&W set. The 210-2 and the 120-1 are not in the Brownell's Super-Set, and the hex bit doesn't show up until the Master Super Set, unless you buy the hex bit add on. If you want to spend less money, get the 22-bit starter set with the LE handle and the S&W add-on. The problem with Brownell's is their shipping cost. I built my new set in four increments (I bought the Glock set as well) over about 6 months last year, and I would have saved about $40 if I'd bought the whole thing at the same time. Like others have said, you'll find yourself reaching for the Brownell's set first for anything that requires a hollow ground screwdriver. Spend the money for a full set, and get the manuals.

 

[Tom S.]

Sorry, but I can't comment on the Smith Kit, as I bought the large set, and don't know which bits are included in the kit. However Brownells will be more than willing to talk to you, either on the phone or via email and let you know. Other than that, the only two tools that I mentioned that are S&W specific are the return spring tool and the extractor rod tools, and neither are needed for inspection or light cleaning/lubrication purposes. For any inside disassembly though, you'll want the trigger return spring tool. Everything else is icing on the cake. For example, you can install a spring kit with the just the screwdrivers and spring tool, and it will help the trigger pull. To do a proper job though, you will eventually need a set of stones. But like I said, for simple opening and cleaning, you don't meed to break the bank. I still recommend the book though. It will tell you how everything works, plus the first time you take a gun apart and it doesn't work when you put it back together, it will show you what you did wrong, just by looking at the pictures.

 

[Tom S.]

The four tips in the S&W add on are the 210-2, the 210-4, the 150-3, and the 120-1. You'll probably need a 185-1 hex bit to take the grip panels off of those revolvers, and it doesn't come with the S&W set. The 210-2 and the 120-1 are not in the Brownell's Super-Set, and the hex bit doesn't show up until the Master Super Set, unless you buy the hex bit add on. If you want to spend less money, get the 22-bit starter set with the LE handle and the S&W add-on. The problem with Brownell's is their shipping cost. I built my new set in four increments (I bought the Glock set as well) over about 6 months last year, and I would have saved about $40 if I'd bought the whole thing at the same time. Like others have said, you'll find yourself reaching for the Brownell's set first for anything that requires a hollow ground screwdriver. Spend the money for a full set, and get the manuals.

Good post! I would add that the Brownell's phillips head bits, though not needed on S&W's are the best I've ever used, especially on tight screws that other screwdrivers would have rounded out. If you look closely, you'll see they have little teeth that bite into the sides of the screw slots. But again, they aren't S&W related and can wait - but don't forget about them!

 

[serger]

As far as stones for "smoothing things" go, here's a link to a peddler that sells the Norton Hard Arkansas file set. They are expensive but work where other stuff won't. BTW, this is a pretty good price.

Norton Hard Arkansas File Kit 4 Pieces, 61463686839 | Hillas.com

 

[gnystrom]

I have own and fiddled with guns for 55 years. Nothing extreme but a lot of trigger work on a wide variety of guns.

For S&W revolvers,

The Brownells Magna Tip screwdriver set for S&W, a couple of hard Arkansas or ceramic stones, a Hex head key set, and a rebound spring removal tool is all I have ever used to do everything needed.

Unless you are getting into serious gunsmithing I really don't see the need for much more.

 

[BuckeyeS&W]

Check with Brownell's they were running a deal if you spend over $99 you get $10 off and free shipping. I ordered something Saturday and received discount , had to give discount code that was in email ad that was sent out last week. L6Q was code

 

[jframejoey]

Dont spend 15-25 bucks on a rebound slide spring tool! The best tool for that is a plastic Bic pen. Line up the front of the slide to the rear of the trigger push the spring in with the pen and lower it past the post. I do how ever advise you to get an ejector rod assembly/disassembly tool. Well worth the money. You can get Wheeler screw driver kits for low money, maybe $25.

 

[TruckGun]

I just wanted to circle back and thank you all for your time and expertise/input. I just placed my order with Brownells for the 58 bit Magna Tips Master Set, the S&W revolver bit add-on, the hex bit for stocks, Kuhnhausen Manual, and extractor rod tool. They had the $10 off + free shipping promo, so I jumped. Hoping to order the 3 ceramic stones and a few other goodies in the near future when some more dough frees up. Thanks again, guys!

 

[Tom S.]

Dont spend 15-25 bucks on a rebound slide spring tool! The best tool for that is a plastic Bic pen. Line up the front of the slide to the rear of the trigger push the spring in with the pen and lower it past the post. I do how ever advise you to get an ejector rod assembly/disassembly tool. Well worth the money. You can get Wheeler screw driver kits for low money, maybe $25.

FWIW, I don't use the rebound spring tool for installing the spring, only for removal, to keep the spring from getting away from me and the slide from popping out of the frame. I use a small Phillips screw driver that's just a bit larger than the spring but smaller than the hole in the rebound slide. Works similar to your Bic pen idea.