Screw drivers

[Dead Eye Dave]

Are there certain types of screw drivers that are better for working on cowboy guns?

Thanks

DB

[Pettifogger]

You only want to use hollow ground screwdrivers on gun screws.  On a hollow ground screwdriver the sides of the tip where it goes into the screw are parallel.  On a regular screwdriver the sides are tapered and don't fit the screw slot very well.  Quickest way to bugger a gun screw is to use a sloppy fitting regular screwdriver.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Deadeye Dave 

             Like Pettifogger said , use the right driver , that means it has to be the same thickness of the slot in the screw , and the same width, the driver bit needs to go all the way down in the slot, if you don't have a bit that fits , wait until you do , it only takes one time with a bad fitting bit and your screw will be screwed up. You can go to Brownells on the web, and they have some nice gun pacific bits with a magnetic driver their called Magna-Tip, you can get the set for under $20.00 , this is what I have been useing for sometime now , if you don't already have their catalog just ask them for one , their free , and ask also for their free Cowboy catalog , tons of good stuff in them.   look at pages 1 through 4, colt single action will also fit the clones, the Ruger single action fits all their single actions , http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/catSearch.aspx?pg=1&si=True&c=64&ps=10


                                                              tEN wOLVES 

[Major E A Sterner]

+1 on the Brownells screwdriver set. Stay away from the midway set, I got a midway set as a gift from my wife and the first time I used them I broke 3 of the bits. I called midway up to see about a warranty and was told "There is none" But they would be happy to sell me extras of the bits that broke so I'd have spares the next time. The bits from Brownells are replaced frre if you break them. I now have the Brownells set, well worth the cost.

[Captain Rob Page]

 You simply cannot go wrong with Brownells screw driver sets.I have three. I keep one in my range bag for emergencies. Brownells even has sets for specific firearms such as Colt SA. The sets cost maybe a touch more but you get what you pay for.

[St. George]

Screwdrivers made by 'Grace' and 'Peacemaker Specialists' are of excellent quality - both available from Brownell's.

Incidentally, Brownell's no longer prints their 'Cowboy Catalog'.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Dead Eye Dave]

See I knew there'd be a whole bunch a pards that would know this stuff.  Thanks for the replies.

DB

[Paladin UK]

FWIW........

Many years I got me a `Chapman` Gunsmith driver set....... `bout 2 yrs ago one of the bits twisted (Truth ta tell I wuz using it ta pry off a reeel tight lid  ) anyways I sent it to Chapman and they replaced it with a little note saying that I should `stick to levers for opening stuff`!! Now How they knew that I`ll never know   But like I said they replaced it.

Paladin (What would recommend Chapman's ta anybody ) UK

[Camille Eonich]

Power Custom sells some great screwdrivers made by Cylinder and Slide.  I bought Stump a set for Christmas one year and every so often I hear him say something about money having been well spent.  They really do fit well too.

http://www.powercustom.com/parts_tools.htm

[kurt250]

this looks like the right place to ask this. are the italian rifle and pistols metric threads on there screws or inch? need to know so i can order a correct set of taps and dies. have had a little problem with a few screws on my henry and 73 rifle. would like to clean up the threads. thanks, kurt250

[Crooked River Bob]

Lots of good responses here.  If you want to work on your guns, you need a set of gunsmith's screwdrivers.

However, I would like to add that Peacemaker Specialists makes a "single action screwdriver" that is very handy.  The tip is ground to fit the slots on the frame screws for Colt Single Action Army revolvers, but I have found it fits the frame, grip, ejector rod housing, and basepin latch screw slots on USFA clones and Ruger single actions as well.  I don't currently own any Italian single actions, but I'm guessing it would fit those, too.  I keep one in my guncart, and another one in my cleaning kit.

It won't fit every screw on your guns, but it will fit the revolver screws you are most likely to need to turn while on the range or in routine cleaning.

Brownell's, Midway, Dillon, and Peacemaker Specialists all sell this screwdriver.  The price ranges from $7.00 to $10.00, depending on the vendor.

Crooked River Bob