Brass punch

[Seminole]

I'm going to be installing tech-sights on my new 10/22. I understand that I need a brass punch to drift out the stock front sight and install the new one. Where is the best place to get a brass punch? Home Depot/Lowe's seem not to carry them. Would normal hardware stores carry what I need, or do I need to order from someplace like Midway? I hate to place an internet order for such such an inexpensive thing--maybe I'll have to find other things to buy along with it!

 

[koginam]

Home depot or Lowe's would have the punch you need

 

[Seminole]

As I said, I already tried both Home Depot and Loewe's. All they had was steel punches, which I'm not really excited about using on a firearm.

 

[JNewell]

Brownells and Midway have 'em. The ones I like best, and hold up best, are the Brownells one with the replaceable tips (brass, but also aluminum and delrin).

 

[gb6491]

Sears stores sometimes have a three piece set in stock. Many hardware stores have brass round and flat stock (of sufficient thickness) on hand that will make a decent drift.
Regards,
Greg

 

[frogomatic]

you don't HAVE to use a brass punch, steel will work just the same. However, using a steel punch can mar your gun, brass being softer than steel won't do this.

 

[GaryK]

Home Depot has brass rod stock in several sizes. Just buy one and cut off a 5-6" piece and use it. You can file or grind a radius on the end if you like.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

Any hobby-shop or Home Depot, or hardware should have brass rod in several sizes.

You probably want 5/16" for sight punchs, although 1/4" will also work.
Especially on a 10/22.

Even hardwood dowel rod will work really well until you get really tight sights on a pistol slide or something.

In fact, for your one-time use on the 10/22, hardwood dowel would be even more foolproof against damaging the gun or sights then brass.

And a heck of a lot cheaper!

rcmodel

 

[Neophyte1]

add to your list "Harbor Freight" They have brass drifts.

 

[GeorgeR]

If you rub the area you're going to hit with a #2 pencil, any brass marks will wipe right off. "Hit n' Hope"!

 

[Seminole]

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone.

I love THR!

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Snap-On, MAC and other automotive tool suppliers. Usually sold by wagon-jobbers but also available from stores and on the web.

 

[Seminole]

rcmodel, the oak dowel idea was just the ticket. It worked like a charm, and you can't beat the price!

 

[rcmodel]

Yep! I figured it would.

Glad it worked for you.

rcmodel

 

[JNewell]

The brass rod idea was good, too. When I needed a huge brass punch for some rear end work on my Jeep, I bought a 12" piece of 1" bronze rod.

 

[Atla]

Everyone should have a good brass punch/hammer set though.

I like my Promag one from MidwayUsa. CheaperThanDirt had it, but the S&H was retarded on it.

 

[Jim K]

Most folks won't want to pick up the tab for a one-time use, but the best bet is a sight pusher which doesn't depend on pounding anything and can't slip and mar the slide. Brownells has them.

As to punch material, whether wood or plastic will work depends on how tight the item is. Sometimes steel is the only answer.

Jim