Broken alignment pin in the frame of my 2nd Gen 51 Navy

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NineMilePete

NineMilePete

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HELP!!!

I picked up a used 51 Navy at a decent price, with the understanding that one of the alignment (broken off) pins was snapped of in the frame. I've very carefully tried to drill it out, but I'm afraid the drill is just spinning the broken pin. I don't want to enlarge the diameter of the frame hole. any ideas of this problem? Am I the very first person on this earth that has faced this problem?? thanks
 
If the drill is spinning the pin then the pin is loose in the hole try holding the frame with the pin facing down and rapping the frame with a brass or nylon mallet. Might just drop out with a little persuasion.
 
What you may do is stake the pin in the frame (to hold it still) and then drill into the pin. If you can drill into it at least an 1/8" or so, you can clean your "staking punch" up (oversize drill bit) which should allow you to pull the now free spinning pin out with the bit you used to drill into it.

Or, if that can't be done, stake the pin and use an oversized bit (even though you don't want to!). Drill the old out, and using the drill motor turn a nail down (using a bench sander or put the drill in a vice and use a file) so you'll have a friction fit for it into the now over sized hole. Of course, make the new stud (frame end) slightly shorter than the hole in the frame. Now, chuck the frame end of the stud in the drill motor and turn the other end down to fit the receiving hole in the barrel lug. Match the length of the exposed stud (barrel end) and . . . . there ya go! You can use a little blue thread locker to help keep the stud in the frame. Much easier to do than it looks spelled out!!

Mike
 
I think Pietta "swedges" those in. They are tight just at the face of the frame. I drilled through and tapped as deep as I could then put a "dutchman" in and the screw pushed it out. DSCN5427 - Copy (Small).JPG
 
44 Dave: Not to show my ignorance, but what is a "dutchman". Looks like the pin is very tight in the 2nd Gen ( Uberti ?). When I tried to drill it seemed as though the broken pin wanted to rotate thus disallowing and drill purchase.
 
Denster: the broken pin is tight enough not to want to move up or down. Even tried a strong magnet ( no dice )
 
I'm no gunsmith but maybe you could hit the pin with a punch(is that what stake means?) to expand it a little, then if it will hold still, drill a tiny hole, the put a screw in the hole and then pull it out by the screw.
 
NineMilePete said:
44 Dave: Not to show my ignorance, but what is a "dutchman". Looks like the pin is very tight in the 2nd Gen ( Uberti ?). When I tried to drill it seemed as though the broken pin wanted to rotate thus disallowing and drill purchase.
Click to expand...
Could not tap threads all of the way through so I put a short piece of small rod stock in the hole for the screw to push against.
 
I'd sharpen the drill bit. I thought it was some great mystery but when my teacher showed me, the lightbulb went on. :D
 
45 Dragoon said:
What you may do is stake the pin in the frame (to hold it still) and then drill into the pin. If you can drill into it at least an 1/8" or so, you can clean your "staking punch" up (oversize drill bit) which should allow you to pull the now free spinning pin out with the bit you used to drill into it.

Or, if that can't be done, stake the pin and use an oversized bit (even though you don't want to!). Drill the old out, and using the drill motor turn a nail down (using a bench sander or put the drill in a vice and use a file) so you'll have a friction fit for it into the now over sized hole. Of course, make the new stud (frame end) slightly shorter than the hole in the frame. Now, chuck the frame end of the stud in the drill motor and turn the other end down to fit the receiving hole in the barrel lug. Match the length of the exposed stud (barrel end) and . . . . there ya go! You can use a little blue thread locker to help keep the stud in the frame. Much easier to do than it looks spelled out!!

Mike
Click to expand...
Thanks, Mike. I will try that tomorrow. If I mess up, I'll have to send it to you.
 
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