Real owners lean toward the Milwaukee 2997-22: 84% of 105 owners recommend it, vs 54% of 56 for the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill 2904.
Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score
“These are great. I have both lines in my job as a millwright for concrete plant assembly and they work side by side everyday. Going strong for 2 years now.”— Nimbian-highpriest on Reddit
“Been using base model brushed drill at least once a week for the better part of a decade now. Keep saying I’ll get fuel when it stops working but it just won’t quit.”— yemoodle on Reddit
“I was very disappointed with the non-FUEL line. Let the smoke out of the drill the first time we used it.”— Cody0303 on Reddit
“The best use i had for the autostop was driving 5/16 lags. It would just touch when they snugged down and shut the drill down. No broken anything or wrists”— DiarrheaXplosion on Reddit
“My son has the M18 Fuel drill and driver set. Those are beasts.”— NYOB4321 on Reddit
“So much so that my rotary hammer drill will only work every 2/3 depressions. Very frustrating.”— thatsmejp on Reddit