Fill over barrel pin?

[BoomStick]

A rifle came to me missing one of the pins retaining the front of the barrel. While replacing the pin seems simple enough, the stock over each pin has been filled with a grey material. Even with the missing pin, the fill is present on one side but absent (which I'm guessing is why the pin is gone) on the other side. Before removing any of the material to try to determine what it is, thought to ask if someone might know.
Could it be specific to the builder, Al Edge?

 

[dave_person]

Hi Boomstick,
Sometimes it is wax like beeswax.

dave

 

[BoomStick]

Thanks Dave. The grey color had me thinking it was drop of metal or something more exotic. I shoulda figured it would be something more basic.

 

[Fly Navy]

Looks like wax to me also.

 

[Col. Batguano]

When trying to get it out of there, make sure you go from the finished side (port side of the gun) rather than from the open (starboard) side. That will save you from the risk of tear-out.

 

[ZUG]

They make shellac sticks that can be used to cover the end of the hole or you could use a crayon of color that will match your stock wood. Beeswax with melted crayon mixed in works fine also

 

[BoomStick]

They make shellac sticks that can be used to cover the end of the hole or you could use a crayon of color that will match your stock wood. Beeswax with melted crayon mixed in works fine also

Thanks! Beeswax with crayon...that's very helpful for getting the color to match. General hardware store wood filler was a first thought, but wanted to do it the way the builder had done (if possible).

 

[Flintandsteel]

Wood filler dries hard, wax does not.
Personally, 100 guns, and have never filled a pin hole.
if I did, I’d use beeswax.

 

[Fly Navy]

I've never tried it, but I heard brown shoe polish works also.

 

[Pete G]

Look at Lowes for furniture scratch filler crayons. Available in several colors.

 

[user 34300]

I would not use anything to fill it smooth with something hard. I cut my pins a little short. Why? When it is time to drift out the pin locating it is much easier if the hole is there to locate and guide your drift punch. IF you miss with the punch tip you damage the stock.

I also do not fill pin holes but if I did I would also use Bee's wax. I might add some soot to make it black. When you wan to drift the pin out you could heat the drift a little and melt the wax to find the hole.

 

[tallPercshooter]

I have a TVM rifle kit, they pinned the barrel to the stock for me. They use VERY small stiff wire, no bigger than in a large paper clip. How can I punch those pins out? Can hardly see the ends.

 

[BoomStick]

I have a TVM rifle kit, they pinned the barrel to the stock for me. They use VERY small stiff wire, no bigger than in a large paper clip. How can I punch those pins out? Can hardly see the ends.

I have a set of roll pin punches, smallest is 1/16...I think I got them from Brownells. Go slow and carefully, use the hole in the stock to guide the punch. Tap with a light mallet and keep the punch in line with the pin. Keep the gun from moving as you work.
I don't remove them often, so maybe someone else has a more practiced technique.