S&W stock pin installation.

[Jim NE]

Checked on the model 10 sticky on the revolver forum, but couldn't find specific instructions.

My model 14 had NO stock pin in it, though it has wooden target stocks (probably had Pachmyers at one point.)

Anyway, I ordered a few stock pins for S&W k frame from Numrich. What they sent me were NOT roll pins, but solid shafts of metal.

I HAD installed a stock pin once before without any problems (on a model 64), but I had problems on the model 14.

THe pin fit the hole, but VERY tightly. I lubricated the hole to make the pin slide in easier. As with my model 64, I pressed the pin in carefully with a vise, using wooden cauls to protect the frame. I tried protecting the end of the pin with a cloth between it and the vise surface, but the fit of the pin in the hole was so tight that the pin penetrated the cloth and was marred. In fact, the end of the pin "mushroomed" a bit under pressure from the vise, so that when it was finally in place, I had to file it's circumference so that the hole from the wooden stock would fit it.

Net result? No damage or scratches to the frame, but the pin itself has kind of a mangled look on one end. Since it's hidden from view (when the stocks are on) and it performs it's function fine, I won't replace the pin, but I'd like to know what I did wrong and how to do the job properly.

THe stock pin in my 64 was installed the same way, and the fit WAS tight, but I didn't have this problem. CAn't remember if it was a roll pin or a solid shaft of metal. I don't plan on doing extensive gunsmith repairs to my guns, but a k frame without a stock pin isn't that uncommon, so it would be nice to know.

 

[rcmodel]

The S&W pins always were solid on the older guns, not roll pins that I know of.

At any rate, they shouldn't have been that tight.

Probably Numeric had reproduction pins made, and possibly oversize to fit old guns with loose holes.

It wouldn't be the first time I ordered replacement screws or something from them expecting factory original parts, and ended up getting new reproduction screws that weren't quite right.

rc

 

[simmonsguns]

I made a little pin pusher for this years ago with a metal plate,hocky puck and a swivel arm set-up that works like a loading press kind of.pull down on the handle and a ram pushes a pin in a hole. the ram is counter sunk and i made different heads with different holes to fit all different sizes of pins. it was a slow day and i was looking for stuff to do but it works for everything you need to use a hammer and a punch for without bashing the gun or your fingers.

 

[Jim NE]

Probably Numeric had reproduction pins made, and possibly oversize to fit old guns with loose holes.

Thanks, rc. My impression was that it was slightly oversized as well.

Interesting thing is that they sent me one blued pin (this is the one I installed), which looked unused, and two either stainless or bare metal pins, which DID look used. My gun is old, but far from perfect (though it works and shoots great) so I won't worry about the substandard stock pin.

Thanks for the idea, Paul. I was wondering if there was a pre-made version of that. I'll attempt to recreate your device.

 

[Jim K]

The funny part about this is that those pins don't have to be tight, just enough not to be pulled loose by a tight fitting grip. There is next to zero strain for a steel pin and they aren't going to fall out. When I found it/them too tight, I would either have filed the pin a bit or reamed/drilled the hole bigger or gone to a roll pin.

Jim