A reversing-ratchet wrench for use, for example, with various interchangeable socket heads. One end of the wrench serves as a handle and the fulcrum end has an opening that defines internal ratchet teeth and that receives a pawl carrier rotatable about the axis of turn of the wrench. The ratchet teeth are engaged by a double pawl pivotally mounted in a lateral slot cut in the side of the pawl carrier, the pawl being urged to either a forward drive or reverse drive position of engagement with the ratchet teeth by a selector mechanism. The selector mechanism includes a hub received in a central bore in the pawl carrier and a pivotal selector button on the upper end of the hub. The lower end of the hub has a lateral opening that receives a spring-loaded pawl-operating plunger. The plunger has a length greater than the depth of the lateral opening and extends into the slot in the pawl carrier to resiliently engage the double pawl and also to secure the selector mechanism in the pawl carrier.