Breaking in the Guns (literally)

[Venus Pax]

I'm glad to hear I'm in good company.
I'll take everyone's advice and do periodic checks. Fortunately, both guns should just need new screws.

[Mike1951]

It wouldn't hurt to start compiling a few tools.

A small set of a driver and bits isn't expensive.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=429783

You'll soon be making your own minor repairs and won't be bothered by these inconveniences.

[KinnyLee]

The moral of this story? Watch your guns around Venus Pax.

I don't need your help to lose parts. I lost my mag release spring lock a couple of days ago detail stripping my Kimber. Now I have to order a part from Brownells or MidwayUSA, but I don't want to.

[Mike1951]

I'm good enough at losing small parts that I'm building up a fair stock of 'just in case' spares.

[Venus Pax]

It wouldn't hurt to start compiling a few tools.

Are special screws and screwdrivers needed for guns? If not, I have the stuff in the shed, I just need to go dig.

[G.C.Montgomery]

It wouldn't hurt to start compiling a few tools.

Are special screws and screwdrivers needed for guns? If not, I have the stuff in the shed, I just need to go dig.

It's nice to have dedicated tools that stay in a "go bag" or on your workbench. I don't think you need "special" screwdrivers generally except in special cases like the grip-screw bushings or other special parts. You do need screws and drivers that fit properly, though. There's nothing worse than a pretty gun with mangled screws from drivers that don't fit.

[KinnyLee]

It's nice to have dedicated tools that stay in a "go bag" or on your workbench. I don't think you need "special" screwdrivers generally except in special cases like the grip-screw bushings or other special parts. You do need screws and drivers that fit properly, though. There's nothing worse than a pretty gun with mangled screws from drivers that don't fit.

Even with the right tools, things can still go wrong. I've literally destroyed 2 of the 4 grip screw bushings on my Kimber. Thankfully such parts can be ordered on the internet.

[Skiprr]

I don't think you need "special" screwdrivers generally except in special cases like the grip-screw bushings or other special parts. You do need screws and drivers that fit properly, though. There's nothing worse than a pretty gun with mangled screws from drivers that don't fit.

Precise size--including blade width--is important. I also think a decent set of punches is essential, too. At least various sizes of nylon and brass punches. There are just too many times you really need the correct size/composition of punch, and trying to make do with a small philips head screwdriver or a hex wrench is a bad idea.

Speaking of hex wrenches, a set of small to very small might be a good idea, too. I can think of at least six different sizes I use for things like sight anchors, grip screws, trigger uptake screws, etc.

[Mike1951]

I don't think you need "special" screwdrivers generally except in special cases like the grip-screw bushings or other special parts.

I respectfully differ. Regular screwdrivers are tapered to the tip. They are the biggest cause of messed up screw slots on guns.

Hollow ground screwdrivers are made to better fit the screw slots.
I could readily find images to compare, but here is part of the description from a screwdriver set at Brownells.

"The blade tips are then custom, precision-ground in a crisply radiused, hollow-ground shape to give maximum strength. And, the ideal parallel section is ground at the tip to fit the screw slot properly through the full width and depth of the slot. (This is what keeps you from buggering screws - a blade tip that evenly distributes the turning torque applied at the handle to the full width and depth of the screw slot.)"

Most of us prize our guns and to risk marring them by using a regular screwdriver is unthinkable (at least to me}.

[Mike1951]

Speaking of hex wrenches, a set of small to very small might be a good idea, too. I can think of at least six different sizes I use for things like sight anchors, grip screws, trigger uptake screws, etc.

But stay away from the cheapies (made in China). I bought a set of T-handle hex wrenches from Harbor Freight. It's tough to remove the broken tip of the hex key from the screw!

But I have bought good quality stuff at Northern Tool.

[KBCraig]

Special screwdrivers aren't required, exactly... but they're a darn good idea. You could probably get by with a butter knife, but the screw slots will be buggered up. As others have said, the bit must be hollow ground, and should precisely match both the thickness and width of the screw slot. Anything else will leave marks. Or worse, slip or cam out.

Trashed screw heads are a buyer's first clue that Bubba has been inside a gun; the buyer should proceed with caution.

A basic gunsmith set from Pachmayr can be had for $15-20. It contains a magnetic driver handle and 20+ bits; others sell the same set under their own brand. Since bits are exchangeable, you can toss out any Phillips or other bits you don't use, and add those you need (if they're not in the basic set). The blow-molded case is small enough to fit in your range bag.

You can also get a good set from Wheeler Engineering, for $80-100. It will have most everything you need for both pistols and rifles.

Cheaper Than Dirt has the Pachmayr set for $10.97:
http://cheaperthandirt.com/GNS047-20878-902.html

And the Wheeler set for $79.97:
http://cheaperthandirt.com/GNS100-46610-902.html

They also have a B-Square set for $20.00:
http://cheaperthandirt.com/22775-16709-902.html

Something for the hobbyist to think about, especially those as prone to dropping screws as I am:
http://cheaperthandirt.com/GNS054-20877-898.html

Kevin