Tool Review: Husky 1066 2-Piece Pistol Grip Pliers Set

Key Features:
 +   Allows access to tighter spaces
 +   Spring-loaded
 -    Not much grip on handles


I'd been wanting the Husky 2-piece pistol grip pliers set (model #1066) for a while, eyeing it at Home Depot every time I went.  My wife, without knowing this, went out and got me the pliers for Christmas.  I wasn't sure they would turn out to be as cool as they looked in the package, but they did.

If you've never used pistol grip pliers, they are pretty neat.  The pliers jaws work the same way, but the handle is turned about 90 degrees.  The angled handle allows you to use the pliers in hard-to-reach spaces that straight pliers wouldn't be able to fit into.

This set of Husky pistol-grip pliers works great.  The pliers are strong, and are spring-loaded.  There are two pairs of pliers included, a 6" pair and an 8" pair.  The spring on the 8" pair that I have is very weak, especially compared to the spring on the 6" pair, but this is probably an issue with my individual pliers, rather than a design flaw.

The pliers have both straight and curved regions of the jaws, allowing for many different applications, as well as toothed and non-toothed sections.  There are wire cutters at the base of the jaws on both pairs of pliers.  The jaws are strong and grab well.  These pliers work really well for clamping on e-clips, especially when you hold them upside-down.

These pliers are not lightweight.  Due to their design it would be hard to carry them in your pocket anyway, but their weight definitely makes them a toolbag tool (especially the larger pair).  The tips taper, but not for precision work like needle nose plier tips.

The biggest thing I can say is wrong with these pliers is that the handles don't provide a lot of grip.  They are a sort of soft plastic, and it's easy for fingers to slip off of them.  However, with the pistol grip design, the handles are curved, so the lack of grip isn't as much of an issue as it could be.

Home Depot currently sells this pliers set for $7.00 online.  For that price, these pistol grip pliers are a great deal.  Two pairs of large, functional pliers for $7.00 is an incredible value, especially for pliers that stand out from the pack like these do.