Tools for removing barrel pins?

[smo]

Ace Hardware Stores have small punches that are sold individually…

I bought a couple of 1/16ths , one stays in my shooting box the other in my shops tool box.

 

[ord sgt]

I’ve been persuaded by people saying not to remove the barrel, but I need to get some gunsmithing screw drivers anyway, so that’s a good idea

I have dealt with Brownells for years. Their gunsmith tool collection is top notch. Punches, screwdrivers are well worth the investment. It really bothers me to see the screw slots buggered by a poor fitting turnscrew. Hardware store tapered turnscrews will screw up the slots of screws quickly.

 

[TobJohn]

I have dealt with Brownells for years. Their gunsmith tool collection is top notch. Punches, screwdrivers are well worth the investment. It really bothers me to see the screw slots buggered by a poor fitting turnscrew. Hardware store tapered turnscrews will screw up the slots of screws quickly.

This helped enlighten me.

 

[Eutycus]

What's so complicated about tapping out a pin with a nail? I doubt shooters of old ran to the hardware store for a punch.A nail filed or ground down to a taper and you're in business.

 

[user 34300]

The best material for pins is 1/16" music wire. It is smooth and will not bend. It also makes a good material for the punch to drive the pins.

https://ksmetals.com/collections/music-wire
It also make indestructible range rods.

 

[beardedhorse]

On some rifles the width of the stock is not the same so you can file notches on the shank of the different length pins to identify where they go. One notch for forward pin closest to muzzle, two for middle and three for farthest from muzzle or if four, four notches on pin closest to breech. If you don't use good punches you can enlarge the pin hole and have to bend the pin to keep it from falling out. A good reason to drive them out from the same side each time. Escutcheons can be inlaid to protect the wood where pins or barrel wedges go.

 

[smo]

What's so complicated about tapping out a pin with a nail? I doubt shooters of old ran to the hardware store for a punch.A nail filed or ground down to a taper and you're in business.

Been there , done that..
Ever bent a nail?
I did, so I spent the $1.25 x 2 at Ace Hardware…,No special trip, just picked them up the next trip too town…

 

[andy52]

I use a small nail set to start the pins and a set of pin pliers to pull them out. A nail set has rounded edges and a small divet on the face to engage the pin face.

 

[smo]

My (3) nail sets were too large for my pins..
That’s why I tried the #3 or 4 finish nail… then the punch..

What I mean by too large is when you push the pin the nail set hits the wood which would enlarge the hole..
The small punch has straight sides.

 

[andy52]

My (3) nail sets were too large for my pins..
That’s why I tried the #3 or 4 finish nail… then the punch..

What I mean by too large is when you push the pin the nail set hits the wood which would enlarge the hole..
The small punch has straight sides.

I took the smallest nail set out there and turned it down to a smaller diameter so that would happen, but you are correct a standard set will enlarge the hole if you let it get too deep.
However, with a good set of pin pliers, you don't need much protruding out the other side.

 

[Artificer]

I took the smallest nail set out there and turned it down to a smaller diameter so that would happen, but you are correct a standard set will enlarge the hole if you let it get too deep.
However, with a good set of pin pliers, you don't need much protruding out the other side.

I also like to use the smallest size nail set I grind down so the diameter is smaller than the pin. The idea is just to get the pin moving below the surface of the stock, then it's time to use longer punches. I save bent/broken punches and cut them shorter with a cutting disc to use next. Then finally a full length punch.

Gus

 

[Eutycus]

Been there , done that..
Ever bent a nail?
I did, so I spent the $1.25 x 2 at Ace Hardware…,No special trip, just picked them up the next trip too town…

No doubt, some nails (and screws)you could bend with not much more force than a flyswatter. But this is the common sense forum, isn't it?

 

[Kmcmichael]

Brownells has a dish faced punch. Mine wore flat after building a few rifles. it is easy to ding a stock when trying to put the last bit below the surface.

 

[deerstalkert]

i am a drill bit breaker from way back. i keep the 1/16 bit's i break and use them for drifting out the barrel pins.

 

[smo]

No doubt, some nails (and screws)you could bend with not much more force than a flyswatter. But this is the common sense forum, isn't it?

That’s why I spent the $1.25…

I’m not saying this is the only answer, but it fixed the issue I had.
Always more than one way too skin a Grizz..

 

[Mad L]

Can't recall what it was that I was told to "avoid twisting during removal" as it will open the hole...?

 

[smo]

Twisting the pin could bend it possibly…
If bent it would cause the wood on the opposite side too crack / chip when the pin is pushed back through…

 

[2 shots]

I have a good quality hardened tapered punch that does well.

dont think you would want to use a tapered punch..use a straight one

 

[TDM]

dont think you would want to use a tapered punch..use a straight one

I use my hard tapered punch to start pushing a tight pin out. Actually filed 1/4” of the taper down. Once the pin is moved, then I use a straight punch. I don’t bend straight punches anymore doing this.