Proper screwdriver for sights

Hi all,

I was looking for the proper screwdriver for the Elliason sights on my Nelson upper.  I could not find much in the search other than have screwdrivers in your box.  My Brownells bits don’t quite fit as the slots are pretty narrow.
Are there screwdriver sets available for sights?  I would like to have a dedicated screwdriver for each instead of separate bits as they are too easy to lose.

Thanks

Ace hardware has small screwdrivers that fit properly.

I have a Gerber multi-tool.  3 separate flathead screwdrivers, as well as pliers (springloaded for 1-handed use) and some other bits and bobs that come in handy from time to time. The smallest flathead is SMALL.  The largest, I feel comfortable torqueing down the screws on my sight rail with.

Raid your nearby Snap-on truck.  They have all sizes.  The electronics tool line is real good for gun works.

Hello Yankeedutch,

Look up Brownells' "Magna-Tip Thin Bits".  They have ones that fit.  You can also buy some cheap hollow-ground screwdrivers and grind them to fit.  They don't have to be perfect as you are not applying much torque.

Jim

+1 for the Brownells

I'll check the sizes that work when I get back home. Use the Stubby and you can have a bunch of tips and avoid carrying around a bag of screwdrivers. TORX, Allen, etc.

It's hard to find a nicer precision screwdriver than Wiha. You can find them individually on internet retailers, for just a few bucks each. Sets cost more.

https://www.wihatools.com/screwdrivers/precision/slotted-382

I like the short ones (40mm) for adjusting sights, personally. A flag of wrapped tape makes for no guesswork. They actually make flag-type handles, but only for Torx.

The Brownells thin-bit magna tip that fits is #150-1.  #120-2 will also work.

Follow-up thought.  I have a Brownells stubby magna-tip screw driver handle in my range bag with all of the bits that fit the sights on my handguns and a couple others as well.  Takes up less space than "dedicated" screwdrivers and everything goes in a small zip lock bag.

OldShooter43 wrote:Follow-up thought.  I have a Brownells stubby magna-tip screw driver handle in my range bag with all of the bits that fit the sights on my handguns and a couple others as well.  Takes up less space than "dedicated" screwdrivers and everything goes in a small zip lock bag.

....or get the hollow (with screw top) handle and store the bits inside.

Jim

Buy this and don't look back:

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/screwdrivers-sets/magna-tip-sets/58-bit-master-set-plus-w-magnetic-law-enforcement-handle-sku080112804-417-1915.aspx?rrec=true

Buy good tools and when you work on your pistol/rifle you will not be able to tell it was worked on.

I agree with the basic premise of Domino's post.  However, the basic Superset, be it the regular or law enforcement set, does not contain all of the the bits that you may need.  I have had to buy the additional thin bit set and additional Torx bits in order to deal with the wide range of firearms that I own as well as those who have asked for  my services.  Just make sure that you buy quality tools if you expect to take care of firearms for a long time.

And I thought the OP just wanted the correct screwdriver for adjusting Nelson sights.....

Answer given.

Thanks for all the info.
I found some Wheeler bits that work
387-716 #2 flat for the windage screw.
727-536 #9 flat for the elevation screw.

Yankeedutch wrote:Hi all,

I was looking for the proper screwdriver for the Elliason sights on my Nelson upper.......
Are there screwdriver sets available for sights?  I would like to have a dedicated screwdriver for each instead of separate bits as they are too easy to lose.

Thanks

...

I have "old" Elliason sights on my ball gun.  I am talking from the early sixties.  My S&W  screwdriver that came with my Model 52 fits just fine.  It is small only about 2 1/2 inches long and you can buy one on ebay but they will cost you any where from $20 to $50.

I also have a screwdriver from my 1950s Erector Set that fits some gun screws very well. 

In other words, it is not rocket science.