Roll Punch vs Pin Punch

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LeftyTSGC

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Newbie at Gunsmithing here, small stuff only. :)

I need to get a set of punch pins, i am having a hard time understanding if i need one or both sets of the roll punch pins and punch pins, and do they need to be Brass or steel. :banghead:

There are so many options and i am not sure on exactly what i need. I will be taking apart my pistols and rifles for cleaning mostly and some small repairs and parts replacement only.:confused:

Any recommendation would be appreciated. I have semi autos, and cowboy revolvers, mil surp rifles, cowboy leveraction rifle.
 
A pin is usually of solid construction, so pin punches are flat-tipped to push them out.

Roll pins are hollow, essentially rolled onto a mandrel, and many are split to allow the pin to compress slightly, locking it into place with that tension. Roll Pin punches normally have a small step at the tip, enabling the punch to center itself in the pin, and preventing deformity of the end of that pin when pushing it out.

They are NOT interchangeable. You will need to examine the guns that you will be working on, and see which you will need.

As to material, Brass is softer, and won't mar as badly if the punch shifts off of the pin. However, brass also deforms under those cases, making fit an issue with use. Steel tends to hold it's shape longer, but, being just as hard as the metal of the frame, may leave marks if someone misses the pin.

You will also need a light hammer to use with the punches. Something like a small ball-peen (yes, that's a correct spelling), or some sort of dead-blow hammer.
 
In addition to the two types of punches mentioned, there's a third type, also for roll pins. It's larger in diameter than the punch with the step on the end, and has a recess to hold the roll pin steady when starting it into the hole in the part. Particularly handy for small or short pins.
Sometimes you need three hands. One for the hammer, one for the punch, and a third to hold the pin. These punches solve that problem. I bought mine from Brownells of course.
 
It depends on the guns you will be working on, but if the pins are round headed, you will want to buy (or make) a set of cup tip punches. These are made with a concave tip so they fit the pin rather than marring it, and also stay in place so they don't mar the work.

Roll pin punches have a "tit" in the middle that fits into the hole in the roll pin to keep the end from flattening and closing up. In most cases, gun makers who use roll pins recommend they be replaced after being removed, so a good supply should be kept if working on many of those guns.

Now, some general advice if you don't mind. If your firearm has pins that require a punch to remove, it generally means that the designer/maker didn't intend that that gun or part of a gun be taken apart by the owner, and it is very possible that doing do will damage the gun in some way. Most modern firearms can be dis-assembled as much as necessary for cleaning without driving out any pins. Cleaning can be effected by using a spray cleaner or "dunking" the gun or sub-assembly in a cleaner.

Jim
 
Excellent advice as usual from Jim K!

If you can't push a disassembly pin out by hand with a strong ball point pen or wood dowel rod?
(Rem shotgun & rifle trigger housing pins, Ruger 10/22 bolt-stop pens, trigger group cross-pins, etc.)
Don't take it out!

Bottom line?
Don't take it out unless something it is holding in is broke, and needs replacing.
Or it was made to be easily taken out during normal cleaning.
(In which case, you will not need a steel punch & great big hammer to push it out!)


Roll-Pins especially, are designed for one time use during manufacture assembly.

Once you drive one out, you better have a new one on hand to replace it.
And you drive old ones and new ones in the same hole enough times?

You will need a New hole that isn't worn clear out!

rc
 
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Thank you for all the expertise on this forum. I will get a set of regular punches for now. I do think that will support my cause.:D
 
Depends on what you're doing.

Back in the '80s, all you needed was two sets solid punches: steel & brass. Roll pins were very rare.
Then in the '90s you also need roll pin punches. Many modern guns have roll pins. Roll pin starter punches are also nice to have.

So modernly I have four set of punches.
 
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Roll-Pins especially, are designed for one time use during manufacture assembly.

Once you drive one out, you better have a new one on hand to replace it.
And you drive old ones and new ones in the same hole enough times?

You will need a New hole that isn't worn clear out!

rc
and Brownells doesn't stock any of those.
 
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