Tools of the trade.

[Working Man]

The more I learn about the firearms I own (and in general) the more I want
to be able to do my own work on them, complete strip down, disassembly,
part replacement, and refinement.

Are there any tool kits I can pick-up specifically for firearms? Tools to help
remove and reset pins, tools to help compress springs or hold pieces in place?

I have a few used firearms that I do not mind voiding the warranty on to learn
more about them. I know how to replace and repair parts on my truck and
motorcycle and have bought/made the proper tools to do so, it's about time
I do the same with my firearms.

Thanks

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, I'm not a gunsmith but I hang around with a couple.
First, get a Brownell's print catalog, it is a lot better for browsing than scrambling around on their website.
Tools I would not be without even for home care.
Good screwdrivers. Brownells sells replaceable blade screwdrivers and a wide range of widths and thickness tips. And cheap enough that you can grind one to fit an oddball.
Pin punches. The replaceable tip punches are kind of aggravating, the retaining collar does not stay tight. Solid punches are better if you use them right.
Hammer for above. I have one with one face brass, the other nylon.
A bench block to lay parts on to fiddle with.
A vise, preferably with smooth jaws, and a set of copper, lead, or synthetic jaw covers.

You can get gun-specific tools for some models.

 

[ball3006]

Between Brownell's and Midway....

you will find everything you will need........chris3

 

[carebear]

Gun Parts Corp. online catalog for hard to find parts and pieces. Krasne's Triple-K catalog for the pistol magazine that got lost 20 years ago.

oh yeah, you DEFINITELY need a Dremel tool.

 

[Working Man]

Thanks guys.

Carebear, you trying to send me to the dark side?
I have not run my Dremel over but it knows that it is not allowed to play with
with the big bang clan.

 

[dfaugh]

The biggest thing I've found, is a set of "gunsmithing" screwdrivers, as the heads are much different on guns screws, and trying to use "regular' screwdrivers, will bugger up the screws.. I've gotten by, by buying some "cheapo" set ats Harbor Freight, and re-grinding them. But my buddy has a set, with interchangable bits, from Brownells, that's really the way to go. Other than that, you can "get away" with mostly standard hand tools(except for a few real specialized tools, for particular guns).

 

[Working Man]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info.