Installing trigger guard - what punches do I need?

[Mysteryman]

Only if you do it wrong.

Far less risk using pliers.

[Buncheong]

Far less risk using pliers.

Does the pin get crushed when you use pliers?

[titsonritz]

Far less risk using pliers.

I've seen plenty of people slipping with their pliers and buggering up their lower. The ears are not broken off from using a hammer and punch, they get broken from the the receiver not being supported and rolling over, causing the ear to snap off.

[ACE31]

Use a punch block or wooden piece for ear support and a roll pin punch. Its not rocket science folks, if you cannot install a roll pin perhaps you need to consider another hobby. Sheeze!

[Mysteryman]

Does the pin get crushed when you use pliers?

Not at all. It provides constant force and the pin slips right in.

I've seen plenty of people slipping with their pliers and buggering up their lower. The ears are not broken off from using a hammer and punch, they get broken from the the receiver not being supported and rolling over, causing the ear to snap off.

I've seen plenty of people smash off ears with a hammer and punch. Squeezing a pair of pliers is far more controlled than swinging a hammer at a small punch.

[Dennis]

I got fancy Knipex pliers just for this, but have installed dozens the old way. I think this issue was more pronounced with GI trigger guards that didn't fully support the lower ears. Aftermarket ones are pretty beefy nowadays and fill the space much tighter so if you tape it in place during install there is much less chance of ear breakage from tapping a pin in.

Dennis.

[zpglass]

I got fancy Knipex pliers just for this, but have installed dozens the old way. I think this issue was more pronounced with GI trigger guards that didn't fully support the lower ears. Aftermarket ones are pretty beefy nowadays and fill the space much tighter so if you tape it in place during install there is much less chance of ear breakage from tapping a pin in.

Dennis.

Greatest pliers ever made!


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[JB2000]

I’ve used the Wheeler Engineering tool a few times and damaged the finish on my lowers trying to get the pin all the way in. I’ve started using it to get the pin most of the way in and then finishing with a punch.

[Diamondback]

I’ve used the Wheeler Engineering tool a few times and damaged the finish on my lowers trying to get the pin all the way in. I’ve started using it to get the pin most of the way in and then finishing with a punch.

The trick I've started doing is put blue-tape on the ears, use the tool to punch a pilot hole through the tape on one side and then push the pin through.

[Tony617]

I have this gizmo to help me install the trigger guard roll pin. I put a bit layer of blue painters tape on the lower first. I bought this several years ago from Brownell’s. It can be used to push the roll pin out as well.



https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...prod55709.aspx