Removing pins

CockNBama · July 20, 2018, 10:18 AM

Is it generally true that pins are removed from right to left, and installed left to right?

Are tapered pins easy to identify before removal?

Pahoo · July 20, 2018, 10:51 AM

Quote:

This post paints with a broad brush. I think it would help to be more specific.

Yep. Some guns the pins have to be removed the other way. Figure out if you've got a tapered pin. The taper will be ever so slight too. Some early H&R had tapered pins. Also if the pin has serrations on it, drive it from the serration side out.

craddleshooter · July 20, 2018, 11:06 AM

Can you specify if it’s for a rifle or pistol.

T. O'Heir · July 20, 2018, 11:56 AM

"...tapered pins easy to identify..." Nope. Gunsmiths would be out of business if they were. snicker.
Most pins are not tapered anyway. Does depend on the pin though. Some of 'em are holding 'keys' in place. M1 Carbine front sights, for example. Mind you, it's one of the reasons smithies tend to spend a lot of time with their nose in a book.
"...with the muzzle away..." Generally speaking that's how it's done.

Scorch · July 20, 2018, 02:44 PM

Tapered pins are simple to identify. One end is larger than the other. A set of calipers or a micrometer will tell you if the pins are tapered. Not very many tapered pins anymore in this industry, mainly in ARs. Straight pins go in or out any direction you want. Tradition says install from right to left, remove them left to right

Directional pins are a different subject. The manufacturer decides how the pins go in, and therefore how they come out.

Dfariswheel · July 20, 2018, 04:53 PM

The pins that are hard to ID are the splined type directional bits.
You often see these on inexpensive firearms.

These have knurled grooves or splines on one end to give them a tight fit.
Problem is it's usually impossible to see the splines so you don't know they're that type.
These are intended to go in only one way, so it's necessary to remove them from the correct side, and re-install them from the correct side.

One aid to identifying these pins is to look at disassembly schematics and hope the splined pins are shown as splined.

CockNBama · July 20, 2018, 06:22 PM

T, you're a hoot! I infer that spelling and grammar count only for those of us you read, not for you.

But I enjoy your posts, don't mistake my wisecrack as 'flame on'.

And "smithies"? Those are the shops in which 'smiths' ply their trades.

This is a flawed usage, up with which I shall not put!

SGW Gunsmith · July 24, 2018, 09:10 AM

I've NEVER used, or heard of, any specific direction that straight, solid pins must be driven to. Tapered pins, are, of course another story. And, it doesn't matter whether rifle, shotgun or handgun, drive the straight pins in a direction that's convenient for you and your bench set-up.

Using the right punch is always a good idea when driving pins. Keep in mind that there are solid pins along with spring and slotted roll-pins used in many firearms, and those "hollow" pins need to be handled with a punch designed for that type of pin.

July 20, 2018, 10:18 AM	#1
CockNBama Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2014 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 206	Removing pins Is it generally true that pins are removed from right to left, and installed left to right? Are tapered pins easy to identify before removal?

July 20, 2018, 11:56 AM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...tapered pins easy to identify..." Nope. Gunsmiths would be out of business if they were. snicker. Most pins are not tapered anyway. Does depend on the pin though. Some of 'em are holding 'keys' in place. M1 Carbine front sights, for example. Mind you, it's one of the reasons smithies tend to spend a lot of time with their nose in a book. "...with the muzzle away..." Generally speaking that's how it's done. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

July 20, 2018, 02:44 PM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Tapered pins are simple to identify. One end is larger than the other. A set of calipers or a micrometer will tell you if the pins are tapered. Not very many tapered pins anymore in this industry, mainly in ARs. Straight pins go in or out any direction you want. Tradition says install from right to left, remove them left to right Directional pins are a different subject. The manufacturer decides how the pins go in, and therefore how they come out. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

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July 20, 2018, 11:06 AM	#3
craddleshooter Junior member Join Date: March 9, 2018 Location: NY Posts: 90	Can you specify if it’s for a rifle or pistol.

July 20, 2018, 04:53 PM	#6
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	The pins that are hard to ID are the splined type directional bits. You often see these on inexpensive firearms. These have knurled grooves or splines on one end to give them a tight fit. Problem is it's usually impossible to see the splines so you don't know they're that type. These are intended to go in only one way, so it's necessary to remove them from the correct side, and re-install them from the correct side. One aid to identifying these pins is to look at disassembly schematics and hope the splined pins are shown as splined.

July 20, 2018, 06:22 PM	#7
CockNBama Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2014 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 206	T, you're a hoot! I infer that spelling and grammar count only for those of us you read, not for you. But I enjoy your posts, don't mistake my wisecrack as 'flame on'. And "smithies"? Those are the shops in which 'smiths' ply their trades. This is a flawed usage, up with which I shall not put!

July 24, 2018, 09:10 AM	#8
SGW Gunsmith Junior member Join Date: December 31, 2014 Location: Northwest Wisconsin Posts: 285	I've NEVER used, or heard of, any specific direction that straight, solid pins must be driven to. Tapered pins, are, of course another story. And, it doesn't matter whether rifle, shotgun or handgun, drive the straight pins in a direction that's convenient for you and your bench set-up. Using the right punch is always a good idea when driving pins. Keep in mind that there are solid pins along with spring and slotted roll-pins used in many firearms, and those "hollow" pins need to be handled with a punch designed for that type of pin.