What are the best torque wrenches for gunsmithing? We know the right answer.
If you’re a professional firearms specialist or love to stock up on state-of-the-art handguns or rifles for personal use, you know that you need to keep your weapons clean and well-lubricated.
To keep your firearms in working order, you need to possess a few essential gunsmith qualities. One of the fundamentals skills that you’d be better off having is familiarity with using a torque wrench.
A gunsmithing wrench is a tool that comes in perfectly handy for firmly securing a riflescope to your firearm by applying the proper torque to scope rings, mounts, and screws as recommended by the manufacturer.
A torque wrench is indispensable for fastening the bolts and action screws to the prescribed torque level apposite for a specific application. The torque wrench lets you attach the scope to the gun using the mount, rings, and base precisely as per the manufacturer’s specifications, thereby minimizing chances of over-tightening or over-loosening.
The best torque wrenches for Gunsmithing allow you to set in the consistent torque or twisting force easily and quickly, eventually enabling the scope’s mounting system to function optimally. In this article, we will review the three best options.
Top 3 Best Torque Wrenches for Gunsmithing
| Model | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Weaver Gunsmithing Torque Wrench (Editor's Choice) | Check Price |
 | Wheeler 710909 Digital Firearms Torque Wrench | Check Price |
 | Wheeler Firearms Accurizing Torque Wrench | Check Price |
Weaver Gunsmithing Torque Wrench (Editor’s Choice)
Weaver’s gunsmithing torque wrench comes with an eclectic range of magnetic bits for screwing fasteners of all popular riflescope mounts, rings, and bases.
You can use this torque wrench for gunsmithing from Weaver Bushnell with scope mountings systems, including but not limited to Vortex, Leupold, Browning, Nikon, Ruger, and Warne. Of course, the torque wrench works best with Weaver’s mounting systems.
The Weaver constructed this wrench out of premium quality materials, ensuring its extended shelf life.
There are a total of 10 magnetized bits-2 T15 bits, three hex bits, and five flat bits that allow you to fasten the rivets of mounts and bases in a torque range varying from 15 in-lbs to 80 in-lbs.
Pros
- Rugged construction: extended functional life
- You can use it for different smithing types and makes of riflescopes.
- Mounting of scopes and bases strictly as per the instructions of the manufacturer
- Includes a wide range of bits
- All bits have magnetic tips for lasting performance.
- Robust storage case for safekeeping the torque wrench
Cons
- Once the tool is set at a specific torque, resetting it at a higher or lower range can be difficult.
- The metallic outer casing is of inferior quality.
- The threading on screws may deteriorate after a few sessions; the mating sections are not greased.
Overall, this Weaver torque wrench is the gunsmithing tool of choice for correctly mounting a diversified variety of scopes.
Wheeler 710909 Digital Firearms Accurizing Torque Wrench
The 710909 Digital Firearms Accurizing Torque Wrench from Wheeler is one of the most versatile gunsmithing tools you can opt for and for a good number of reasons.
You can view the torque settings for your scope’s rings, rivets, and screws on an LCD screen in a wide range (from 15-inch /lbs to 100-inch/lbs).
An indicator tone goes off when you reach the torque setting, thereby doubly ensuring that you’ve attained the desired level. The margin of error (accuracy of torque) varies from 0%-2%, which is par for the course. The wrench bits have been chiseled out of S2 Tool steel that makes them incredibly hardwearing.
The package also includes a sturdy storage case for securing the wrench and the bits.
Pros
- The best grade of steel for the wrench bits
- Audio and visual indicators signal you when you dial in the required torque setting.
- Across-the-board application: you can use it for mounting different brands of rifle scopes
- A comprehensive range of torque level helps in fastening rings and screws accurately.
- Indicator for low-battery
- Durable storage case manufactured using injection-molding technology.
Cons
- Many users have had issues using this wrench as the bits twisted without returning to the original form.
- Reaching higher torque levels (say 70-inch/lbs to 100-inch/lbs) is almost impossible.
Overall, this torque wrench is ok for those users who want to be sure that they’ve accomplished the prescribed torque level.
Wheeler Firearms Accurizing Torque Wrench
If you’re looking for a gunsmithing wrench that enables you to set the torque for your scope’s base screws, windage screws, guard screws, and mount rings accurately repeatedly, then don’t look beyond the ‘Wheeler Firearms Accurizing Torque Wrench.’
The F.A.T Wrench has an ergonomically designed handle with a standardized hex-drive tip that is perfectly placed for applying torques ranging from 10-inch/lbs to 65-inch/lbs increment 5-inch/lbs at each stage.
The accuracy rating is 2-inch +/- up to 40-inch/lbs and+/- 5% for torque settings exceeding 40 inch/lbs. A total of 9 bits is supplied with the pack-1 windage bit, three flat blade bit, 3 Allen bit, 2 Torx bit, and a 1 square drive adapter.
Pros
- Users will find the clutch/click system very handy.
- Variety of wrench bits for fastening different types of guard screws, action screws, windage screws, rings, and so on
- Extensive torque range setting-from 10-65 inches/lbs with 5-inch incremental.
- The ergonomic handle makes for a firm grip without compromising on comfortableness.
- Hardy plastic case for storing the torque wrench and the bits with the pack
Cons
- The wrench would require more effort to turn as you increase the torque setting
- This wrench does not work with Nikon M-223 and Nikon P-Series Mounts
How to Pick the Best Torque Wrench for Gunsmithing
While choosing a wrenching torque for gunsmithing, there are a few particular aspects you should keep in mind. The technique or manner in which you use the tool is the most significant aspect. Towards that end, beam-type wrenches tend to be accurate in comparison to click wrenches.
However, you’ll need to amass a specific level of experience before you can use beam wrenches effectively. Pay attention to the following factors before you can choose your best gunsmithing torque wrench:-
- Quality of the material used for constructing the screwdriver and bits
- The torque calibration range (the higher the range, the better)
- Is the manufacturer supplying different bits for working on an array of action screws, rings, and mounts?
- Soft grip handle
- Checks over-tightening
- Indicators for confirming that you’ve reached the appropriate torque setting
Verdict: What’s the Best Torque Wrench for Gunsmithing
We’ve reviewed the three best torque wrenches for gunsmithing as impartially as possible. All three models were found to be up to the mark as far as performing the primary task of fastening the screws to the right torque level was concerned.
Considering the three products’ pros and cons, the Weaver Gunsmithing Torque Wrench emerged as the winner. We found it to be compilable for use with the majority of scope mounting systems.