Gas Tube Pin Punch

[STS556]

I need a good quality punch for the AR gas tube pin. Every punch I have bought over the last few months has been crap. They bend after a few light taps with a small hammer.

Can anybody recommend from experience a good quality punch that won’t bend?

 

[kev74]

They will all bend if not hit squarely. One thing you can try is to taper the pin a little bit at the tip with either a file or sandpaper.

You can also look for a starter punch with a shortened tip. A regular punch with a broken bent end can be shortened down for this.

 

[Mosinitis]

Make sure it's the roll pin in there. Some gas blocks use rolled up pin (don't remember proper name). It's coiled thin metal, if punch doesn't match exactly diameter of that pin to push all layers, it cones up and gets stuck in the hole.

 

[STS556]

kev74- You gave me a good idea. The narrow part of the punch is about 1 1/2" long. I could cut the punch down and taper the end and maybe it wont bend and maybe I can get the pin out, if it is a roll pin.

Mosinitis- Now that you mention it, I don't see the split that a roll pin has. It is a factory receiver height gas block on my sisters Armalite AR. I am taking off the plastic guard and installing a Midwest Industries rail and low profile gas block.

If these ideas don't work, I'll just get a new tube and pin.

 

[kev74]

kev74- You gave me a good idea. The narrow part of the punch is about 1 1/2" long. I could cut the punch down and taper the end and maybe it wont bend and maybe I can get the pin out, if it is a roll pin.

Mosinitis- Now that you mention it, I don't see the split that a roll pin has. It is a factory receiver height gas block on my sisters Armalite AR. I am taking off the plastic guard and installing a Midwest Industries rail and low profile gas block.

If these ideas don't work, I'll just get a new tube and pin.

I wasn't sure if you were putting a pin in or taking one out.

A shorter punch will help a lot. It will be less likely to bend. A little heat might not hurt either

 

[Mosinitis]

Get a magnifying glass and find out what you have in there. There is probably accumulation of carbon in there, so use something to clean it out and then take a closer look. If it's a rolled up pin, you will have to knock it out from the other side. Use exact diameter flat face punch. Never use roll pin punches that have a nipple on these pins.

 

[HIghlander]

Take the punch and insert into small drill press and use it to slowly press out pin. Better feel when pressing out and in than hammer strikes.
(Don't need to turn on drill press of course.) Brace and block AR to allow straight travel when pressing down true.

 

[FRANKIE]

Use the shank of a hardened drill bit. Dremel off twist.
Won’t bend. If you snap it you need more prep work.

 

[STS556]

I finally got the pin out. It was a roll pin. This has to be the hardest time I have ever had getting a gas tube pin out. I cut down the punch to 3/4" and after some time hitting it with a hammer it finally came out.

 

[Mosinitis]

I use Kroil on stubborn parts. It's a penetrating oil and kerosene mix.

 

[meketrefe]

Everyone needs a decent punch set however there are several things one can have in addition.

If you bent the current pin see where it bent and see if you can cut it to the smallest size possible (not even a 1/4 of an inch) and then harden it again that is a no brainer for such small piece of metal.
The problem with very thin punches is that while they need to be properly hardened they need to be a tad softer or they will be extremely brittle.
They are also too long for what they need to be that might be just to "initiate" something with more force while driving something through could be done with a larger one or even a hardened nail.
one has also to be careful not to flare the roll pin and make it harder than what it should be.
It is ok to flare it a bit but not to keep hammering and going nowhere.

Don't be super cheap with punch sets but don't spend a fortune because they are not any better for the given purpose.
I have one I got at the regular hardware store that works just fine.

I also use tools I made like picks, hooks and shorter punches for specific purposes.

The shank of a broken drill bit can become an excellent tool to have around. might just need to run one end on the grinder for a bit to get it usable.
Same thing with a small hardened hex tip from a screwdriver ran by the stone. it can become your best tool for stubborn small pins.

 

[shootemup]

Gas Block Tube Roll Pin Punch Set .078 dia. GTG!!

 

[Mosinitis]

Grace punches are very popular gunsmithing punches.

I assembled the whole set over the years. Regular flat face. Long reach roll pin. Starter roll pin. Also brass punch set.