newbie question- i'm on pins and needles

rmz1 · October 8, 2002, 06:34 PM

Could someone explain to me what a roll pin is? Are there other types of pins commonly found in firearms?

TyBryner · October 8, 2002, 06:51 PM

A roll pin is basically a flat piece of metal that's "rolled" into a cylander to become a pin.

a picture here might help more than that explanation...

Roll Pin

Jim V · October 8, 2002, 06:52 PM

Well, besides firing pins you mean. LOL

Roll pins are hollow tubes with a split along one side, kind of a round spring that can be used to make up for slightly oversized holes in frames and the like. To remove a roll pin a special punch should be used of the correct diameter and having a tit that fits into the opening of the roll pin. If a regular punch is used they, sometimes, can get caught in the roll pin opening. Bad news then.

Most pins are solid and can be removed with any correct size punch. And there are some of those do not need a punch to remove them. The hammer and sear pins on a 1911 type pistol are held in place by the thumb safety and can be removed w/o a punch once the thumb safety is removed for example.

I hope this helps.

Hkmp5sd · October 8, 2002, 07:34 PM

Quote:

If a regular punch is used they, sometimes, can get caught in the roll pin opening. Bad news then.

I'm quite good at snapping off the end of the punch in the hole after knocking out the pin. Really bad news. Use the proper tool for the job.

Jim V · October 8, 2002, 10:45 PM

Even worse than breaking off the tip of the pnch after getting the roll pin out is managing to drive the tip of the punch into the roll pin while it is still in the part/piece/gun or what ever, since then you are almost assured that you'll never get the punch back out and then get the roll pin out.

BTDTGTTS.

**4V50 Gary** · October 9, 2002, 10:32 AM

Agree w/above with addition that the roll pin is fabricated from spring steel and is designed to push outwards. This gives the pin "tension" to stay in place once inserted into the frame or slide.

johnwill · October 9, 2002, 12:39 PM

Brownells has a nice rollpin punch set, a worthwhile investment.

October 8, 2002, 06:34 PM	#1
rmz1 Member Join Date: July 20, 2002 Posts: 18	newbie question- i'm on pins and needles Could someone explain to me what a roll pin is? Are there other types of pins commonly found in firearms?

October 9, 2002, 10:32 AM	#6
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,298	Agree w/above with addition that the roll pin is fabricated from spring steel and is designed to push outwards. This gives the pin "tension" to stay in place once inserted into the frame or slide. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 8, 2002, 06:51 PM	#2
TyBryner Member Join Date: September 26, 2002 Posts: 23	A roll pin is basically a flat piece of metal that's "rolled" into a cylander to become a pin. a picture here might help more than that explanation... Roll Pin

October 8, 2002, 06:52 PM	#3
Jim V Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Location: SE Michigan - USA Posts: 4,038	Well, besides firing pins you mean. LOL Roll pins are hollow tubes with a split along one side, kind of a round spring that can be used to make up for slightly oversized holes in frames and the like. To remove a roll pin a special punch should be used of the correct diameter and having a tit that fits into the opening of the roll pin. If a regular punch is used they, sometimes, can get caught in the roll pin opening. Bad news then. Most pins are solid and can be removed with any correct size punch. And there are some of those do not need a punch to remove them. The hammer and sear pins on a 1911 type pistol are held in place by the thumb safety and can be removed w/o a punch once the thumb safety is removed for example. I hope this helps.

October 8, 2002, 10:45 PM	#5
Jim V Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Location: SE Michigan - USA Posts: 4,038	Even worse than breaking off the tip of the pnch after getting the roll pin out is managing to drive the tip of the punch into the roll pin while it is still in the part/piece/gun or what ever, since then you are almost assured that you'll never get the punch back out and then get the roll pin out. BTDTGTTS.

October 9, 2002, 12:39 PM	#7
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	Brownells has a nice rollpin punch set, a worthwhile investment.