SIGforum
Good set of punches? Update

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/4580072394

July 09, 2022, 11:28 AM
Ironmike57
Good set of punches? Update
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, July 18, 2022 06:46 AM
July 09, 2022, 11:33 AM
BlackTalonJHP
The Tekton rebrand of Wilde are decent and affordable. Most of my punches are Wilde rebranded as Grace, Tekton, K-D, Allen and NAPA.
July 09, 2022, 11:34 AM
vinnybass
I have many Mayhew brand & have had good results.

https://mayhew.com/



"We're all travelers in this world. From the sweet grass to the packing house. Birth 'til death. We travel between the eternities."
July 09, 2022, 11:37 AM
ch23701
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.
July 09, 2022, 11:39 AM
SIGnified
You can always look at Starrett - heirloom stuff Wink





"Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty."
~Robert A. Heinlein
July 09, 2022, 11:46 AM
FiveFiveSixFan
^^^^

Agreed. I've had an 8-piece Starrett set for over 40 years. Very high quality.
July 09, 2022, 11:47 AM
Ironmike57
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.
July 09, 2022, 12:14 PM
Aeteocles
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.
July 09, 2022, 01:07 PM
Lefty Sig
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.
July 09, 2022, 01:24 PM
egregore
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.
July 09, 2022, 01:30 PM
Greymann
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.

.
July 09, 2022, 02:01 PM
shiftyvtec
I have some Proto (Stanley's industrial line I believe) they are nice and hold up well.
July 09, 2022, 02:30 PM
Oz_Shadow
Definitely Starrett.
July 09, 2022, 02:30 PM
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.
July 09, 2022, 02:42 PM
SIGnified
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.





"Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty."
~Robert A. Heinlein
July 09, 2022, 02:46 PM
LS1 GTO
Hawaiian.

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






Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.



"If dogs don't go to Heaven, I want to go where they go" Will Rogers

The definition of the words we used, carry a meaning of their own...



July 09, 2022, 02:49 PM
TMats
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.


_______________________________________________________
despite them
July 18, 2022, 06:47 AM
Ironmike57
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!
July 18, 2022, 08:40 AM
SIGnified
Eek

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.





"Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty."
~Robert A. Heinlein
July 18, 2022, 09:20 AM
Greymann
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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