Can you guys recommend a good set of punches? I bought some cheap ones a while back and keep breaking them. I have a few Gen 1 M&P pistols that I have a hard time getting some of the pins out.

Thanks,
Mike

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ironmike57,

The Tekton rebrand of Wilde are decent and affordable. Most of my punches are Wilde rebranded as Grace, Tekton, K-D, Allen and NAPA.

I have many Mayhew brand & have had good results.

https://mayhew.com/

A little pricey, but I have a set of Snap-On punches that work real well. I also have a set of Snap-On roll pin punches that work well also.

You can always look at Starrett - heirloom stuff

^^^^

Agreed. I've had an 8-piece Starrett set for over 40 years. Very high quality.

Thanks for the good start. In looking at the reviews on some of the sites, I am seeing bent and brittle punches. I don't mind spending a bit more for quality tools.

Without spending Starrett money, I would go Tekton. Punches are individually hardened, USA made, and are backed by Tekton's lifetime easy replacement warranty. Just email them a picture of the broken tool and they'll mail you a new one.

I buy what Brownell's has. I have various sizes of regular and starter punches, and roll pin punches with the little nipple on the end that engages the hole in the pin.

My first set was a gun store kit from Lyman. I still use them but they are beat up and the smallest one broke.

Check with Brownells and see if they carry specific punches and other tools for the gun(s) you're working on. Hardware store and even major brand punches like Snap-on may not necessarily be the right size or shape.

I think one the most useful set would be "Rennstieg parallel pin punch set".
The pin set works on roll pins or solid pins and has guides.
Here's a link with a better description.

https://www.amazon.com/Rennste...emover/dp/B07H7NF5RY

Depending on your pins you may need a set of "cup point" punches.

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I have some Proto (Stanley's industrial line I believe) they are nice and hold up well.

Definitely Starrett.

Ok, if I just want to purchase what I will need to work on my pistols only, what sizes should I get? Some of these sets contain some punches that I may never use.

quote:

Originally posted by Ironmike57:
Ok, if I just want to purchase what I will need to work on my pistols only, what sizes should I get? Some of these sets contain some punches that I may never use.

You will eventually start using them on other things. But get a gun smithing kit w/ a brass hammer and a plastic mallet.


You’ll have a set of 6 to 8 punches. That’s fine for pistol work. Agreed about the dimple points.

Hawaiian.

Come on over anytime, I’ll give you a full set.

Since you don’t need a full set of punches, like a mechanic might need, I might suggest looking for a Snap-On truck parked at a dealership or shop and just buying a couple of the smaller ones. I’ve got a full set of Snap-On punches that I bought decades ago, when I thought I wanted to be a mechanic. They really are the best. Maybe you could do something online as well.

I bought a couple of Starrett punches. I bent one within 30 seconds on a gen 1 M&P, trying to knock out the extractor. I guess I'll leave this kind of work to professional gunsmiths!

Which hammer did you use? A 2 1/2 pound cross-peen forging hammer? LoL

Sorry man, but I think you’ve correctly diagnosed the problem.

Those extractor pins are notoriously stubborn. Can you cut your punch shorter? If so try again.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...0601935/m/5370031394

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