Beginner gunsmithing....aka learning from youtube

The barrel says "must be fitted". Probably means that some fitting is required (like "sand/file" work, and check headspace, and maybe more. There is a little instructional blurb in the description). Or it might fit perfectly, by some fluke. You could always ask the company if you want more info. I've never used this kit personally, just looked at the link. Hope I helped in a small way anyway.

Don't be scared to try things! It's fun. Just remember to do everyone a favor and stay safe while you have fun.

Mfer, those spring n pin kits you posted arnt hard to install. I have an eea witness, which is basically a cz copy and have installed a very similar kit in mine.

You will want a good small bench vice with covered jaws, a good set of punches, a decent no-mar hammer, and a set of picks. You might also wanna take pictures as you work, saves looking up a diagram later if u drop stuff.

Also if your getting into hobby gunsmithin you prolly want a big vice with jaw covers, set of measuring tools (caliper, micrometer, etc.), a set of good screw drivers, a set of good quality files, a good short fine bladed hacksaw, and a good selection of sandpaper. I would add a good quality drill press with adjustable vice as well.... honestly there isnt alot ive been inclined to do to my firearms that i could do with those tools. You can usually rent or borrow the stuff for one off jobs like crowning tools, or chamber reamers and guages.


Ive fitted one "pre fit" barrel to my old hi-power, and while it said drop in it did require some work, honestly id leave that alone till youve had some practice on fitting other parts first. If your gonna try it atleast borrow a set of headspace guages, and make sure your barrel is properly engaging the slide.

As Mauser Lover said, stay safe, have fun!

Some will disagree with me but here is my train of thought on such things...

Good punches are better than bad punches. (Duh)
Good does not always mean expensive.
Bad does not always mean inexpensive.
Bad punches will break and bend.
Good punches will break and bend.
Expensive punches will break and bend.
Inexpensive punches will break and bend.

So... After all this breaking and bending, my solution is to always have a spare, whether it be expensive or not. Also, I've seen some punches with replaceable tips. That might work, but you still need spares!

Yes, midwayusa can be a lifesaver! They probably (like every other retailer on the face of the earth) carry some bad products. They haven't hurt me, but you can probably find people who don't like midway. Brownell's is another good retailer for gun stuff. Check eBay too (for tools and such). Don't discount Harbor Freight for some things too.

I haven't used that particular punch set (that I know of), but those tapered punches can be tricky. It's pretty easy to go one whack too far and mess up the hole.

Have fun shopping!

Those look good. As Mauser said your likely to break or bend one eventually, as long as u avoid the bargin bin punches you should be ok. I also keep a few pieces of brass rod around to make impromptu punches from as necessary for odd sized jobs....or when i KNOW the punch will slip and dont want to ding up my steel parts too badly.

And yeah brownells and midway are usually where i go for my parts and tool needs, least the generic stuff. As you get more time in youll find other suppliers for specific parts and tools, your local gunsmith isnt a bad place to stop in either....most of the ones ive talked too are happy to help and give basic advice on projects, and usually willing to pull ur bacon out of the fire if u screw up.

Brownell's. Get the catalog, it's porn for gunsmiths.

Starret punches are the standard. But any of the punch sets, gunsmith screwdriver sets and a decent 2 oz hammer will get you started. Take a look at Brownell's gunsmith tool list for ideas.

Jeff

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I went to one of those formal schools for gunsmithing. My one piece of advice is to make sure you buy Craftsman punches in the 1/16" and 3/32" at a minimum. You will break them and its better to exchange them free under a lifetime hand tool warranty than pay full price again. Yeah they are $5 a punch but you only pay it once. I am on my eighth exchange of a signle 1/16" punch. Do not tell them it was used for anything but home use or they won't honor the warranty!

Anytime you decide to mess with a gun's firing mechanism, make sure that either it is not, and never will be, a carry or self-defense gun and/or you test it to a fare-thee-well (500 rounds or so) with the carry ammo.

It is embarrassing dying with a puzzled look on your face.

Jim

"...learning from Youtube..." You cannot learn to be a smithy by watching videos Especially You Tube. Like Wikipedia, anybody can post whatever they want there.
"...a drop in kind of thing..." Pistol and revolver barrels are fitted differently than rifle barrels. All of 'em require fitting for headspace and in the case of revolvers for cylinder gap. Pistol barrels get fitted where they mate to the slide. No rifle barrel is a drop in kind of thing. Although there are pistol and some Savage rifle barrels that that do drop in.
Best way to learn about smithing is to buy a beat up rifle at a gun show and restore it.

I wouldnt discount youtube as an information source anymore than i would wiki, BUT, It also shouldn't be your only or most trusted information source. Also like Sunray said you guys over there on the continental us have lotsa options for buying beat up guns, Great way to practice for a hobbiest.