Bostitch RN46 Roofing Nailer Review

Verdict: the Bostitch RN46 is the best all-around roofing nailer for most buyers — light, dependable, affordable, and simple. It's not the fanciest gun on the roof, but it's the one we'd hand a new roofer or a DIYer re-roofing their house.

Feel and weight

At around 5.5 pounds with a slim aluminum body, the RN46 is easy to handle overhead and doesn't wear out your arm on a long day. Balance is good, the grip is comfortable, and it bump-fires as fast as you can move across a course.

Depth control and consistency

The tool-free depth dial is the RN46's quiet strong point — set it on a scrap shingle, and you get repeatable, flush nailing without overdriving into the mat or leaving heads proud. The adjustable shingle guide helps you land nails on the manufacturer's nail line consistently (worth pairing with our nail placement guide).

Magazine and reloads

The side-load canister holds a standard ~120-nail coil and reloads quickly. It takes universally available 15° coil roofing nails, so you're never hunting for proprietary fasteners — see what size to buy.

Durability

The RN46 has carbide inserts at the wear points and a track record of running for years with basic oiling and care. It's not marketed as a premium tool, but plenty of owners get long service out of theirs. If you truly abuse guns daily, the Metabo HPT NV45AB2 or a Max SuperRoofer edge it on longevity.

RN46 vs RN46-1

You'll see both names. They're the same core tool; the RN46-1 is simply the current revision/packaging. Buy whichever is in stock at the better price — specs and nails are the same.

Who should buy the Bostitch RN46?

Almost anyone. New roofers, remodelers, and DIYers get a light, reliable, affordable gun that takes cheap nails. If you nail for a living and want maximum durability, step up to the Metabo HPT; if you want to drop the hose, look at the DeWalt DCN45RN.

Frequently asked questions