Any recommendations for a good one in the $50-$100 range?

Any I should stay away from?

My dad's a garage gunsmith and since he enjoys working on firearms he'd do the bulk of work such as scope mounts, etc. He's getting up there in years so looking for a decent set of tools to use on guns. I'm covered in the standard tool department.

Thanks in advance.

I've never found a comprehensive kit that wasnt overpriced for what it is.

I would recommend buying separate tools and build your own kit.

A good hollow ground screwdriver set is a must. I prefer one with interchangeable tips but I do have a set of fixed drivers that I have ground for specific uses

https://www.wheelertools.com/gunsmithing-tools/wrenches-and-screwdrivers/89-piece-professional-gunsmithing-screwdriver-set/562194.html#start=1

If he's doing a lot of scope work, I good way to torque screws is a must as well. I have several but I use a fat wrench the most. You can get it by itself of in a kit with alignment rods and lapping rods.


https://www.wheelertools.com/scope-mounting/mounting-tools/scope-mounting-kit-combo-1-30mm/545454.html#start=1

If he doesn't already have one, a good gun vise makes most jobs more enjoyable.

If he's doing other work, a good set of pin punches, including roll pin starters, is helpful.

https://www.wheelertools.com/master-roll-pin-punch-set/110128.html#start=1

Hammers with bronze, plastic, lead, and rawhide faces come in handy as well.

Those would give him a good start.

Edit: links didnt post the first time...

Thank you skelso. This is golden and appreciated.

I wasn't clear on the OP. I'm looking to buy my own tools in order to do these projects myself as opposed to gifting the work to my dad.

https://sktools.com/shop/small-arms-repairman-tool-kit-with-weapons-mount.html

If you up your budget $6500 you can have this bad boy. Made for the Army. The case runs $850 by itself. Anybody ever have one of these things at their unit?

If I would have bought that scope kit years ago, it would have paid for its self by now.

I'm a big fan of the Borka torque wrench. It's easily the most used tool in my kit.



http://shooterstools.com/Pages/BTD/btdkits.html

The best screwdrivers I've used are made by Grace Metal Products. If I need a driver for a special screw like the narrow slots on Browning guns I use Browning screwdrivers. I personally don't like the screwdrivers with replaceable tips but that's just me. Don't forget to get a bench block and some files. Taper, Plug and Bottom taps for 6-48 and 3-56 screws. If you're interested, I've got a bunch of books I've accumulated over the years and an assortment of gun screws, most used and some new. Might even have some good used parts left over.

Fat wrench and lapping/alignment kit cover 99% of my gun tinkering needs. Maybe get yourself a decent gun vise too (eventually I'll upgrade from a cardboard box with notches cut in it) https://www.amazon.com/Tipton-Best-Cleaning-Gunsmithing-Maintenance/dp/B001AT3SCC
I don't put together a lot of ars so most of what i do is cleaning, scope mounting, triggers and bedding, and you can do all that with the wheeler kit and some marine tex. Oh also time and patience

The best tool I found for at-home gunsmithing is my iPhone and YouTube App.