Punches for basic gunsmithing

[RM]

I would appreciate any advice about what kind and what size punches are needed for basic gunsmithing. This would be for 1911's and ar-15's. Do you need all three- brass, nylon, and steel punches? Any particular brands or punch sets? Thanks for any advice.

 

[JNewell]

Quick response here -- I do not use nylon much, mostly brass and steel. The bad news is that I think you really do need two additional sets of steel punches to work on ARs: the steel punches with a small nipple on the end for driving roll pins and the set that Brownells sells for starting roll pins. I made do without but life is easier, and damage avoided, when you use the right tools. I finally gave up and bought them (in the order above) and would recommend you consider doing the same if you plan to drive roll pins with any regularity.

 

[Rocko]

First piece of advise, as with all tools, buy quality once, instead of buying crap 3-4 times, and then finally deciding you need quality anyway. You'll save money in the long run. I have a whole bin full of 1/16" sears punches I've bent/broken before I learned better than can attest to this. Kept on buying replacements as I often see them on sale for like $1/ea, but it adds up, and the quality simply sucks - they ain't round, the head isn't square, and the diameter varies visibly. MSC (http://www.mscdirect.com) sells a couple of nice starrett sets for around $30 - should have most of the sizes you'll need.

I've never used a nylon punch - seems likely only useful for popping out the trigger and hammer pins that don't really require much force in the first place. I agree with the roll pin punches (the ones with the nipple) - makes it easier. I don't have any of the roll pin starters, however, and really haven't missed them. Depending on the size of the roll pin, a smaller pin punch can be used from the other side as a guide, or a cheap (junk) small drill bit.

Rocko