Clips: Stop Using the Wrong Screwdrivers on Your Guns

Published on January 26, 2022
Duration: 2:30

This video explains why standard hardware store screwdrivers are detrimental to firearm screws. It highlights the tapered, wedge-shaped design of common screwdrivers, which contacts the screw head at its weakest point, leading to distortion and stripping. The instructor advocates for precision-ground or hollow-ground screwdrivers that match the screw slot width for optimal contact at the base, providing better control and preventing damage.

Quick Summary

Standard hardware store screwdrivers, with their tapered wedge tips, damage firearm screws by contacting the weakest point. For gunsmithing, use precision ground or hollow ground screwdrivers. These have flat tips that match the screw slot width, contacting the base for better control and preventing head distortion or stripping.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction: The Problem with Gun Screwdrivers
  2. 00:28Hardware Store Screwdriver vs. Firearm Screw Slot
  3. 00:38Tapered Wedge Shape Explained
  4. 01:07Ideal Screwdriver: Flat Tip Design
  5. 01:35Precision Ground Screwdrivers
  6. 01:38Hollow Ground Screwdrivers Explained
  7. 01:58Where to Find Proper Gunsmithing Screwdrivers
  8. 02:07Pro Tip: Japanese Motorcycles

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are standard hardware store screwdrivers bad for firearms?

Standard hardware store screwdrivers have a tapered, wedge-shaped tip. This design makes contact at the top of the screw slot, the weakest point, leading to distortion and stripping of the screw head over time. They are not designed for the precise fit needed for firearm maintenance.

What type of screwdrivers should be used for gunsmithing?

For gunsmithing, you should use precision ground or hollow ground screwdrivers. These have flat tips that ideally match the width of the screw slot, allowing contact at the base of the slot for maximum control and minimal damage to the screw head.

How do precision ground screwdrivers prevent screw damage?

Precision ground screwdrivers feature a flat tip that is the exact width of the screw slot. This ensures contact at the base of the slot, providing the most control and the least likelihood of stripping the head. The parallel walls of the tip also hold snugly against the screw slot walls.

What is the advantage of a hollow ground screwdriver tip?

A hollow ground screwdriver tip is ground out so that the tip itself is the widest point that enters the screw slot. This design places pressure at the base of the slot, which is a vast improvement over the wedge-shaped tips found on standard hardware store screwdrivers, reducing the risk of damage.

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