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So i need a 1/8" roll pin punch (and possibly a starter) almost all the reviews on punches i see say that they are too soft. they bend. etc etc... but dont you want them soft so they dont ruin your pins? i imagine they are just hitting at an angle or aren't using it right. does anyone know of a good brand to purchase? ive seen some that are $3 and some that are above $15 and i know next to nothing about a good quality pin punch. also what kind of hammer do i need? I have a plastic and metal headed hammer that i bought to knock the pins out of my wrist watch to re-size it. would that work or do i need a brass hammer?

I don't know where to get individual size punches but start here: https://www.brownells.com/search/index. ... &ksubmit=y

warnmar10 wrote:I don't know where to get individual size punches but start here: https://www.brownells.com/search/index. ... &ksubmit=y

thanks! it looks like you can buy individual punches from that site.

ok so from what i've gathered, you use a pin punch starter to tap the pin out a ways, then use the regular punch to knock it all the way out. then when putting it back in you use a pin holder to get it started then you use the regular pin punch to finish it. someone correct me if im wrong

Glock "Disassembly Takedown Tool" ... Amazon; $6.00 It's all you'll ever need. Front sight tool (wrench) also $6 bucks..
The takedown tool is what you use to pop the base plates off magazines (i.e. if you are adding Pierce or other +2).
I would send you a picture of it but the site won't let me. It's not brain surgery, take the Armorer's course and they give you a free one.

I'm not a gun smith but I was an electronic/mechanical tech most of my life. I removed and replaced a lot of roll pins just using a punch and 2 oz. ball peen hammer. Yes, the small punches will bend. If they were hard enough to not bend, they would be brittle and break. When the bend, straighten them out with the hammer against a hard surface like a vise.

+1 on Grace. I have a set of Grace punches. They are indeed very nice and durable. And yes, the small punches do bend like none other. So what if they do? I just bend them back. That's what I get for not striking them straight. Considering how much I misuse and abuse my tools, I'm surprised they are lasting this long. I honestly think they are worth the extra money.

Roll pin starters aren't really necessary in my opinion. I've never seen the need for them but I'm sure there are some applications where they help.

I do think, however, than roll pin holders are a necessity. Not everyone uses them but I think they are worth it.

Cheap roll pin punches and holders are more likely to bend. Brownells and Grace both offer roll pin/spring holders and punches that are of high quality.

The nipple on the roll pin punch helps prevent deforming the pin like a standard punch will. The roll pin starter punches save a lot of frustration.

If you're not going to be building or tearing down AR lowers or pistols with roll pins on a frequent basis, don't spend a lot of money. You can re-straighten them but it's a never ending battle on the small punches.

Scott B. wrote:The nipple on the roll pin punch helps prevent deforming the pin like a standard punch will. The roll pin starter punches save a lot of frustration.

If you're not going to be building or tearing down AR lowers or pistols with roll pins on a frequent basis, don't spend a lot of money. You can re-straighten them but it's a never ending battle on the small punches.

Well im gonna be using 1/8" and 3/32" to completely disassembly my M&P for deep cleaning about once a month maybe every 2 months.. I bought some from brownells. i got 1/8" standard starter and holder and a 3/32" starter standard and holder. i have a feeling this will be one of those "learning experiences".

Grundy1133 wrote: Well im gonna be using 1/8" and 3/32" to completely disassembly my M&P for deep cleaning about once a month maybe every 2 months.

IMO, you really don't need to do that. Of course your gun, your choice but that seems like overkill for me.

I'm hesitant to go Harbor Freight for many things but they are cheap enough, you could pick up some from there and see how it goes.

SQLGeek wrote:

Grundy1133 wrote: Well im gonna be using 1/8" and 3/32" to completely disassembly my M&P for deep cleaning about once a month maybe every 2 months.

IMO, you really don't need to do that. Of course your gun, your choice but that seems like overkill for me.

I'm hesitant to go Harbor Freight for many things but they are cheap enough, you could pick up some from there and see how it goes.

how often would you recommend doing a deep clean like that? on the videos ive seen the trigger assembly and striker assembly get extremely dirty after a few hundred rounds. ive shot maybe 600 rds thru it and havent ever removed the pins... i think its due for a cleaning lol.

Grundy1133 wrote:how often would you recommend doing a deep clean like that? ...

For me the answer is never. I field strip, remove the striker and drop all the parts into the sonic cleaner.

Grundy1133 wrote:

SQLGeek wrote:

Grundy1133 wrote: Well im gonna be using 1/8" and 3/32" to completely disassembly my M&P for deep cleaning about once a month maybe every 2 months.

IMO, you really don't need to do that. Of course your gun, your choice but that seems like overkill for me.

I'm hesitant to go Harbor Freight for many things but they are cheap enough, you could pick up some from there and see how it goes.

how often would you recommend doing a deep clean like that? on the videos ive seen the trigger assembly and striker assembly get extremely dirty after a few hundred rounds. ive shot maybe 600 rds thru it and havent ever removed the pins... i think its due for a cleaning lol.

Field strip the gun for regular maintenance. I agree with warnmar10, a complete tear down should be a rare event. With what you have proposed, your pins are going to end up like armorer's school guns (glance at them and they disassemble themselves).

I've got over 12k thru my M&P 9 Pro in the last 2 years and have never completely torn it down. No need. I do a good field strip and clean. Occasionally, I've taken the slide down to wipe off the striker assembly.