Arrow PowerShot 5700 Forward-Action Staple Gun

The Arrow PowerShot 5700 transforms the simple act of stapling through its patented forward-action design — you push down rather than squeeze, delivering more power to the staple with less effort. Worth it for contractors dealing with overhead insulation work or extended stapling sessions where hand fatigue becomes a real problem. At roughly 2 lbs with a die-cast aluminum body, it’s light enough for all-day use yet built to handle jobsite abuse.

Skip it if you’re just hanging the occasional poster or doing light craft work. The 3.8-star average rating across 2,075 reviews tells the real story — this tool shines for specific applications but frustrates users who expect perfection from every angle.

Forward-Action Design Changes the Game

The forward-action mechanism is the whole point — instead of squeezing handles together like every other manual stapler, you push straight down against the handle. This isn’t marketing fluff. The design directs power precisely over the staple being driven, unlike hammer-type or traditional manual staplers that often have significant kickback.

The design proves especially valuable for people with smaller hands or arthritis because it utilizes downward pressure rather than a squeezing motion. Think about stapling insulation to ceiling joists — with a traditional stapler, you’re fighting gravity while trying to squeeze. With the PowerShot, you’re pushing up into the work, using your body weight and larger muscle groups.

The trade-off? Users report the tool is prone to jamming if not held perfectly perpendicular to the work surface. Get sloppy with your angle, and you’ll spend more time clearing jams than driving staples. Some users also note it may not fully drive staples into very dense hardwoods. Oak trim work might require a pneumatic tool.

Versatility Makes It a True Jobsite Tool

The PowerShot accepts six different T50 staple sizes from 1/4” to 9/16”, plus 9/16” and 5/8” brad nails. That range covers everything from vapor barrier and housewrap (1/4” staples) to insulation and roofing underlayment (longer staples), plus light trim work with the brad nail capability.

Specification	Value
Weight	Approx. 2 lbs
Dimensions	1.25 x 9.75 x 12.50 inches
Staple sizes	T50: 1/4”, 5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2”, 17/32”, 9/16”
Brad nail sizes	9/16”, 5/8”
Magazine type	Classic rear-load

Common applications include general home repairs, upholstery and furniture work, insulation installation, roofing underlayment and flashing, light trim and molding, and wiring and electrical conduit fastening. The 2-in-1 functionality — both stapler and brad nailer — means one less tool in the bag.

Loading is straightforward — rear-load the magazine with compatible T50 staples or brad nails. A visual refill window lets you see when you’re running low, though checking staple levels becomes second nature after a few projects.

Build Quality and Real-World Durability

The die-cast aluminum body strikes a decent balance between weight and strength. Aluminum won’t rust when it gets wet, and at 2 pounds it won’t drag down your tool belt. The soft-grip handle helps reduce hand fatigue during extended use.

Here’s where contractor opinions split. Professional reviews praise it as “extremely easy to squeeze/operate” and “great for overhead work.” But some reports flag durability issues over long-term heavy professional use. This isn’t the tool that’ll survive 20 years of daily commercial framing — it’s built for intermittent professional use and serious DIY work.

The warranty situation adds another wrinkle — Arrow offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty, but some documentation specifies a 2-year warranty for certain components, and full disassembly voids the warranty. Read the fine print before you start taking it apart to clear a stubborn jam.

The Montana Verdict

The PowerShot 5700 earns its place in a Montana contractor’s toolkit for specific jobs. Insulating a ceiling? Installing vapor barrier? Running housewrap before siding? The forward-action design saves your hands and gets the job done. The variety of staple sizes and brad nail capability means it handles multiple tasks without switching tools.

But this isn’t your only stapler. Dense lumber and precision trim work will expose its limitations. Think of it as the specialized tool that makes certain jobs easier, not the hammer tacker replacement that drives through anything. At Montana’s high elevation, where construction seasons are short and efficiency matters, having the right tool for overhead and high-volume stapling work justifies the toolbox space.

The forward-action design genuinely reduces fatigue — that’s not marketing speak. Whether that benefit outweighs the perpendicular-angle requirement and occasional jamming depends on your typical workload. For contractors regularly stapling insulation or housewrap, it’s a back-saver. For general carpentry, keep shopping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the real advantage of forward-action over traditional squeeze staplers?

The forward-action design lets you push down rather than squeeze, delivering more power with less effort and reducing kickback. It’s especially helpful for people with smaller hands or arthritis, and for overhead work where pushing up is easier than squeezing.

Q: Can this handle pressure-treated lumber?

Reviews indicate it may not fully drive staples into very dense hardwoods. Pressure-treated pine should work fine, but don’t expect it to sink staples flush in oak or other extremely hard materials.

Q: What staples should I stock for general contractor use?

The tool accepts T50 staples from 1/4” to 9/16”. Keep 1/4” for vapor barrier and light materials, 3/8” for general use, and 1/2” or 9/16” for insulation and thicker materials. It also shoots 9/16” and 5/8” brad nails for trim work.

Q: How bad is the jamming issue?

User reviews consistently mention the tool is prone to jamming if not held perfectly perpendicular to the work surface. Keep it straight, and jams are rare. Get sloppy with the angle, and you’ll be clearing jams regularly.

Q: Is the warranty really lifetime?

Arrow advertises a Limited Lifetime Warranty, but some documentation mentions a 2-year warranty for certain components. Full disassembly voids the warranty. Don’t expect true lifetime coverage — treat it as a limited warranty with conditions.