Finishing nails for barrel pins

[sqqy14]

Are finishing nails suitable to use as barrel pins? I've got an old rifle that needs to be pinned.

 

[64Springer]

Yes.

Just find a number drill bit that corresponds to the nail diameter.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

Lowes has hobby drawers in the hardware section that has 1/16 and 1/8 diameter brass rods.

 

[user 34300]

I would not use them. Nails, welding rod and such are soft and can bend. If the nail rusts it may bend when you try to drive it out. That will damage your stock.

I use K&S music wire. It is well worth the trouble to get. It will not bend under normal use. It is spring temper, very hard, and smooth.

For range rods, the thick K&S music wire is indestructible. Cut it with carbide and use brass outserts. IF you want to be really fancy cover it with sticky shrink tubing.

Hobby shops, Ace, on line...

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Are finishing nails suitable to use as barrel pins? I've got an old rifle that needs to be pinned.

They work for me. Just make sure the gauge is of ample size.
Larry

 

[HSmithTX]

Compare the finishing nails to music wire or drill rod, it's a pretty easy call for me. I tossed the finish nails and got the music wire. The music wire doesn't take a set when flexed, it's perfectly round and all pieces are the same size. You can get 3/32" pins from Track and others also that are inexpensive and to me much better than nails.

 

[64Springer]

Perhaps NASA has something ultra round and impervious to bending and rusting with the added benefit of being heat resistant and able to reflect atmospheric UV waves.

When it comes to sticking a waxed one inch long steel pin in a hole all avenues of possible degradation should be considered.

The OP said he has an old rifle and wants to use a nail. His comment suggests that he doesn't want to beat the bushes for anything other than a common finishing nail. A .100/.125 diameter nail will do everything he needs that nail to do.

 

[nchawkeye]

Used finishing nails in a flintlock I made in 1988, still in there.

 

[64Springer]

Used finishing nails in a flintlock I made in 1988, still in there.

Your flintlock making privileges have been revoked.

 

[rich pierce]

On originals, pins were wrought iron. Use what pleases you. There has never been a pin failure.

 

[Mgbruch]

A number 4 finishing nail (plain, not bright) and a number 50 drill bit work just fine. Drill the hole, then ream it just a little with the same bit, and you get a nice fit.

 

[deerstalkert]

i have in the past used a finish nail to drill the pin holes, leaving a mark on the lug, then drilling the metal with a hss bit. then finish the drilling with the nail, just to the point sticking out. then back drill the pin hole, snip off the nail and leave it.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Pretty easy to start an argument around here.

 

[geb324]

I use them all the time!

 

[ord sgt]

I used finishing nails on my first longrifle build in 1983. Why? Because no one told me I couldn't use them. Pins are still in place 40 years later. Guessin' that they work.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Compare the finishing nails to music wire or drill rod, it's a pretty easy call for me. I tossed the finish nails and got the music wire. The music wire doesn't take a set when flexed, it's perfectly round and all pieces are the same size. You can get 3/32" pins from Track and others also that are inexpensive and to me much better than nails.

Music wire & drill rod are without a doubt a stronger, straighter material. Is it necessary to go that route? I will let others chime in on that
Larry

 

[kemart17]

Are finishing nails suitable to use as barrel pins? I've got an old rifle that needs to be pinned.

only thing i have ever used for gun pins. always work great

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

Pretty easy to start an argument around here.

Phil it,s been pretty testy around here lately...multiple yellow card,s from the mods for me....

 

[EC121]

I have used the nail part of a pop rivet. They will slide right out of the rivet part.

 

[Mgbruch]

The only job of the barrel pins is to hold that light, skinny forearm to the barrel. That's it.

Recoil happens at the breech, where a good wood to metal fit is extremely important. And when recoil happens at the breech, the whole stock moves in turn. So the pins aren't absorbing the recoil.

They are supported in their whole length by wood, a barrel lug, and wood again... So it's not like they're supported only on the ends, and have to absorb recoil in the middle. If they were subject to a lot of recoil, it would be the wood (being the weakest link) that would fail.

The pins on my twenty eight year old .58 caliber longrifle are still as good as ever. Come to think of it, I've never heard of a barrel pin breaking or bending. I've heard of them falling out, but never compromised.