Tools

[EdwinC]

Hi everyone, so I currently own Citadel 1911 .45 and SA XD 9mm. I also plan to purchase a Beretta 92FS/M9. What tools are recommend for basic maintenance short of gun smithing type work. i.e. Punch tool, picks, screwdrivers, etc? I have basic cleaning tools, bore brush, wipes, solvent, oil, grease. But I know somethings will require more tools to remove and clean certain areas of the pistol like the extractors or firing pin. I used the search with the tag Tools. Didn't see anything. If there is already sticky or something please point me in the right direction. Thanks.

[pacrat]

First Thing

Quality set of hollow ground "gunsmith type" screwdrivers. Buggered screw heads and fugly sctatches from slipped drivers are the "Mark of Bubba".

Second Thing

Quality set of appropriately sized "pin punches". [see Mark of Bubba] notation above.

[mikeyr]

yup...good hollow ground screwdrivers and punches, i prefer the brass punches but they can be too soft sometimes so I have both steel and brass punches.

Second thing is a dedicated place to play with your guns, it sucks in the garage when you first have to move that unfinished gearbox to clean your guns.

[shooting4life]

A dremmel is all you need

[EdwinC]

Sounds good. Thanks. Looking around amazon and such. Those tools are pricey. I'll eventually order them.

[desertrider]

Tools are just one area where "cry once, buy once" applies, but if quality tools aren't in your budget at the moment, at least get inexpensive hollow ground screwdrivers until you can get the set you want.

I recently ran across these marked down at Walmart....





I bought one and left three others on the shelf, it made a great addition to my range bag.

[Air]

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you have an electrical problem.

[John Joseph]

An old tooth brush is always handy, as are well laundered cotton birdseye cloth diapers(look for Gerbers at Target)

[Hautpot]

I would get a small bench vise with soft jaw accessories. You can also use this later on for rifles, shotguns, car repair, and welding and so on. They are very versatile and doesn't cost more than $100 for a entry level vise.

Brownells offers pretty much anything for gunsmithing. The Magna-Tip are very popular; however I prefer the European manufacturers for bits like Wiha, Wera, PB Swiss. You NEVER want to cheap out on slotted and really tiny sizes like torx 4.

Punches are pretty important as well. Cheaper one will bend after a couple strikes and mushroom quickly. Good brands are Starrett, Snap-On, Wilde, Grace, and PB Swiss. And like what was already stated you need brass and steel.

A bench block is also handy when you need to use punches. These come in plastic and steel.

Lastly a rubber bench mat and something to hold small parts (like a magnetic parts tray) will make you life easier.

[EdwinC]

Thanks guys this is good stuff. I'll be doing some research on these suggestions.

[baih777]

Go on to YouTube and search your pistol. Usually a lot of good info. Also search what part of the pistol you want to disassemble. There might even be a video on the Brownells website.

[CouchOperator]

Dremel and bondo