DeWalt 3/8 in Drive 6-Point Impact Socket

I put this 3/8-inch DeWalt impact socket to work across a handful of everyday jobs—automotive brake hardware, small chassis fasteners, mower blades, and a stubborn fastener on a compact tractor attachment. It’s a shallow, 6-point impact socket with a black oxide finish, built from heat-treated CR-440 steel. In practice, it does the fundamentals well: it fits cleanly, resists rounding, and holds up to hammering from a mid-torque impact without flinching.

Fit, grip, and the feel of a good 6-point

The defining feature here is the 6-point geometry paired with DeWalt’s DirectTorque design. Instead of biting into the corners, the socket engages more on the flats of the fastener. That matters when you’re dealing with fasteners that have seen road salt or a few winters of neglect. On several slightly rounded hex heads, the socket still found solid purchase, and I didn’t see the telltale shiny skids on the bolt corners that you get with sloppy broaches.

Inside, the broach is crisp, with a consistent radius at the corners that helps start the socket smoothly on the fastener. The exterior is cleanly machined, and the black oxide finish isn’t just for looks—it reduces glare and avoids the flaking that chrome sockets suffer after heavy impact use. The trade-off is that black oxide needs a bit of care (more on that below).

Dimensions that make sense in tight spots

Shallow sockets live or die by their clearance and accessibility. This one is compact: 1-5/32 inches in overall length keeps it maneuverable around brackets, shock mounts, and subframes. The nut end outside diameter is a slim 1/2 inch, which helped me get into a recessed brake bracket where a bulkier impact socket wouldn’t fit. On the drive side, the 3/4-inch OD gives enough meat to handle impact hammering without making the socket feel clumsy.

A couple depth numbers worth noting:
- Nut depth: 9/32 inch
- Bolt clearance depth: 1/2 inch

In practical terms, the 9/32-inch nut depth is typical for a shallow impact socket and speeds up work on shorter bolt heads. The 1/2-inch clearance depth means you can cover some protruding studs, but you’ll bottom out on longer hardware. If you’re dealing with extended studs or longer bolts, that’s the cue to switch to a deep socket.

Performance on an impact wrench

I ran this socket primarily on a 3/8-inch mid-torque impact wrench and occasionally on a ratchet. Under repeated hammering to break free rusted hardware, the socket held its shape—no flaring at the drive end, no hairline fractures, and no deforming of the hex broach. The drive end maintains a snug, positive fit on the anvil. The socket’s hardness feels well-judged: tough enough to resist peening and swelling, but not so brittle that it risks cracking.

On installation, the 6-point profile helps keep fasteners true and reduces the chance of rounding if you’re not perfectly square. That’s especially helpful in awkward body positions under a car where a misaligned start can cost you the head of a fastener.

Retention and compatibility

This socket is compatible with O-rings and retaining pins, which is ideal if you’re using a detent pin anvil and prefer a fully captured setup for high-vibration tasks. The retention hole is cleanly drilled, and the groove is machined properly, so snapping in the pin and O-ring is quick. On hog ring anvils, the fit is tight enough that the socket doesn’t walk off easily, but the O-ring/pin option is nice when you’re working near equipment where losing a socket into a shroud or frame rail is more than an inconvenience.

Markings and day-to-day usability

The laser-etched size marking is easy to read out of the box, and the high-contrast look holds up surprisingly well after oil and grime. I prefer stamped markings for lifetime legibility, but the etching here hasn’t faded on me yet, and it’s faster to spot than many low-contrast stamps on dark finishes. For those who work in dim garages or outdoors at dusk, adding a paint fill or a dab of silver marker to the size can make quick work of identification.

The black oxide finish is a win operationally—it doesn’t chip the way chrome can under repeated impacts—but it’s not a set-and-forget coating. Black oxide offers minimal corrosion resistance by itself. A light oil film after use keeps surface rust at bay. If you’re in a humid shop or working with road-salted vehicles, that quick wipe-down goes a long way.

Materials and durability

The heat-treated CR-440 steel feels appropriately tough for a 3/8-inch impact application. After several months of use, the only marks I see are normal witness lines and a bit of polish where it meets the anvil. The square drive remains sharp at the corners, which tells me the heat treat isn’t too soft. On the working end, the hex remains true with no bell-mouthing. In short, it’s holding up the way an impact socket should.

Where it excels

• Impact-rated, 6-point geometry that actually protects fasteners: The DirectTorque engagement is more than marketing; it reduces point loading and helps with slightly rounded heads.
• Compact, shallow profile: The 1-5/32-inch overall length and 1/2-inch nut end OD give you useful access in tight spaces.
• Secure retention options: Pin-and-O-ring compatibility is excellent for detent pin anvils or situations where you can’t afford to drop a socket.
• Legitimately usable markings: Laser etching stays legible in greasy conditions longer than many I’ve used.

Where it could be better

• Corrosion management: Black oxide needs regular oiling to avoid rust, especially in damp shops. If you want a low-maintenance finish, you’ll have to accept the drawbacks of chrome on impact sockets, or oil these as a routine.
• Marking longevity: The laser etch is clear now, but long-term heavy abrasion can fade any etch. Stamped-and-filled markings are my ideal for lifetime clarity.
• Shallow-only limitation: The 1/2-inch bolt clearance depth is fine for most work on short hardware, but longer studs will require a deep socket. That’s not a flaw, just a limitation to know going in.
• Six-point only: Not suitable for 12-point fasteners. That’s expected for impact work, but worth stating.

Practical tips for best results

• Keep a small bottle of light oil in your box and give the socket a quick wipe after wet or salty jobs. It drastically slows rust.
• If you run a detent pin anvil, use the O-ring and pin for positive retention. It saves time chasing sockets in cramped assemblies.
• For size visibility, consider paint-filling the etch or adding a bright stripe on the socket’s shoulder to spot it faster in a drawer.
• Pair it with a torque wrench for final tightening. Impact sockets are perfect for breakaway and run-down; torque accuracy still belongs to a calibrated wrench.

The bottom line

This DeWalt 3/8-inch impact socket delivers where it counts: strong material, a smart 6-point profile that protects fasteners, reliable retention options, and a compact shape that gets you into places some impact sockets won’t. It feels purpose-built for real shop work rather than glossy display. The only care it really asks for is a light oil to keep the black oxide looking fresh and rust-free.

Recommendation: I recommend this socket. It’s a durable, well-machined shallow impact option with genuinely helpful design touches—DirectTorque for better grip, readable size markings, and O-ring/pin compatibility. If you need deep reach or the permanence of stamped markings, plan accordingly. But for day-in, day-out work on a 3/8-inch impact, this one has the right balance of access, strength, and usability.