There are few things more frustrating than being set up on the firing line and discovering you forgot the one screwdriver or drive bit you need to complete the days’ primary objective.
I’ve been there more than once; a bad habit of stuffing all my shop tools into my range bag is the scar I bare. Fortunately, it’s faded a little thanks to Warne Scope Mounts.
Warne’s RT-1 Range Tool is a multi-tool designed to service most any shooter’s typical range needs. Tipping the scales at a mere 5.2-ounces, and with dimensions of 4-inches long by 2-inches wide by 5/8-inch thick, the RT-1 is compact and lightweight, allowing it to easily live in your range bag or travel in your pants pocket.
The RT-1 features twelve chrome-vanadium steel drive bits geared towards scope adjustment and basic firearm maintenance:
• Allen: 0.05″, 1/16″, 5/64″, 3/32″, 1/8″, & 5/32″
• Torx: T10, T15, T20
• Pin remover: 0.10″
• #2 Phillips screwdriver
• Flat blade screwdriver
Each 2-inch long bit is separated by a white plastic disc which helps keep the bits in place and the tool’s width equal on both ends.
A two-piece, cross-pinned, center-bowed aluminum handle encapsulates the bits and dividers. Its bright red finish helps identify it amidst other tools in a dark range bag pocket.
The combination of rounded, bowed center and flattened ends allows for a variety of comfortable control grips and positive contact methods.
The RT-1’s design and grip also allow the user to deploy the bits one-handed. Simply put your finger in the gap above the top of the bits on the opposite side and push the bit of your choice out (above).
After over a month of use the RT-1 Range Tool is now a go-to, replacing several other tools in my range bag. And when I’m not at the range, the multi-tool is most often on my home workbench.
I’ve put the majority of the chrome-vanadium steel bits through the paces and they performed exceptionally well. Lock-up with screw heads and other female ends has been overly adequate and the bits have worn very well thus far.
The bit that saw the most use isn’t even a bit at all – it’s the 0.10-inch pin remover (above). Sure, it’s perfect for removing pins – and it completes that task well. But it’s also a tool I found myself using for a variety of purposes from clearing jammed casings to punching primers.
Warne’s RT-1 Range Tool is a nice, compact, lightweight multi-tool with a great selection of high-quality bits. It is easy and comfortable to use and allows for one-handed operation. Pair it with Warne’s TW1 and TW65 torque wrenches and you’ve got every Warne scope mount and rail covered in less space than many single-purpose range tools, and at the very reasonable price of a penny under twenty-dollars.
Specifications: Warne RT-1 Range Tool
Price as reviewed: $19.99 MSRP
Ratings (out of five stars):
Design: * * * * *
Warne’s RT-1 utilizes a simple, time-tested folding multi-tool design that uses space efficiently and allows for single-bit and multi-bit deployment.
Quality: * * * *
The chrome-vanadium steel bits are high-quality and lock-up well with receiving screw heads. The aluminum handle is not as well finished as the bits, but gets the job done just the same.
Ease of Use: * * * * *
Ergonomically pleasant and easy to operate one-handed.
Overall: * * * * *
Warne’s RT-1 Range Tool delivers solid value through twelve high-quality bits in a compact and lightweight package. If you’re looking to lighten your range bag a bit and reduce the clutter of multiple tools, the RT-1 Range Tool should be at the top of your list of options.
This is a great idea. I’ve had something similar for bicycles for a few years. Nice to see the concept applied here.
So when can I get this in metric so it works on my guns?
Harbor Freight sells tool kits like this in standard and metric for a very reasonable price.
Harbor Freight tools tend to be junk, by junk I mean they are made as cheap as possible. Sometimes that works for a tool you are only going to use a few times. I don’t recommend using them on guns. Sooner or later, you apply too much force and they slip, marring your gun.
JMB 1911, I’m my own tool box. AK47 what is this tool you needing of make gun work..
Please add a comment that lets readers know what you find in comparing this product’s Phillips depth with the high-quality, properly-designed gunsmithing drivers sold by companies like Brownell’s.
And you didn’t tell us where this product is made. Other gun articles always do, so please do tell us.
Why do I ask? I ask because Phillips-head fasteners on most firearms are deeper than they are in other products.
Having worked as a professional mechanic, I’m pretty unimpressed with the finish of this product. I admit that I have sometimes found that unimpressively-finished tools were very well-made…but not very often.
P.S.: I’ve done pretty well with my Japanese professional-mechanic drivers and bits when working on firearms because Japanese automotive-use Phillips-head screws and screwdrivers have deeper channels.
I think you’d do well to buy your firearm drivers and bits from Brownell’s, not Japan, but if you want to work on your own Japanese vehicle, buy Japan-made Phillips screwdrivers (They call theml “Cross-head screwdrivers”, b.t.w.).
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