Roll Pin Set
I bought these for my AR builds. Took them out of the UPS box and assembled a lower that same night. Worked fine. Did need to add something between my hammer and the punch to prevent the hammer or punch from marring the side of the lower, but thats no big deal really. Time will tell if these hold up, but if you use them correctly, I don't see how you'll bend or break these.
Excellent roll pin punch set
Should have bought these a few years ago. Shorter than normal, so you will have less bent punches. They are long enough though to completely drive out most roll pins anyway.
Needed Product
I watched the video that Brownell had on using Roll Pin Punches and the commentator suggested the started punch kit because it sits properly within the roll pin as you start working it out of the weapon without damaging the roll pin. His advisement was good enough for me and bought the set. I'd recommended you do the same too.
Essential tools
These punches are the best to get a roll pin going in the direction you want. They are a must have for any work on a firearm with roll pins.
Decent Punches, Needs Storage
I purchased the 7 piece set. Can't speak extensively to the quality of the punches themselves because I have not used them much. However, I was somewhat disappointed in that they did not come with a storage pouch or bag. They arrived in a throw-a-way plastic baggie. Come on, Brownells, you can do better. Subtract 1 star. Ended up making a storage box from a candy mint case.
Good for what it is, a "starter"
The fifth star is held back due to price. In my opinion this is a lot of money for a single punch. I'd read that when buying the set, the quality control can be shoddy, as well as when buying something like this from Amazon. Rusty punches, bent punches, etc. Mine showed up perfectly straight and fits a 3/32 roll pin perfectly. A few taps to get the pin started then follow thru with a regular punch and the job is done.
#1 punch
I purchased the #1 roll pin holder, starter punch and roll pin punch for removal and re-installation of the AR ejector roll pin. The starter worked great for the removal as did the roll pin holder for the initial portion of the re-installation. However, when I used the starter punch to finish the install, the punch opened the roll pin and started to enter the shaft making the install impossible. I partially removed the pin, re-closed it with pliers and installed it flush with the bolt surface with a flat brass punch. It was then possible to finish the installation with with a slight recess using the starter punch. I found the punch had bent slightly because of the soft metal. I was able to re-straighten it. I did not find a use for the longer roll pin punch for this installation. I don't know if the tool exists, but what is needed is a short, hollow shaft the size of the #1 roll pin holder, which could be installed over the protruding roll pin after initially using the roll pin holder, and then driving the roll pin home with the roll pin punch. This would keep the roll pin from opening under the force of the punch.
NOT a Roll Pin Starter Punch
As a gunsmith, I find the description of this product as a, "roll pin starter punch" misleading. It is NOT a roll pin starter punch. It IS merely a roll pin punch. A roll pin starter punch tip is hollow to allow about 1/8-inch of a roll pin's length to be inserted so that the punch can hold the pin securely in place so it can be tapped into a hole without having to hold the pin with your fingers. This product, if used to start a roll pin, would (1) be difficult to hold along with the pin and hammer, and (2) would probably pry and split the pin and slide inside before it could be tapped into the hole. As roll pin punches go, it appears to be a good product. But the description should be corrected.
Poor quality steel.
Made from too soft a steel. Bends if slightly stressed.
Not good at all!
Ok lets be fare. the first set of these I bought about 2 years ago, and they were GREAT! They were machined very well, and lasted through hundreds of builds. Finally wore out the 2 smallest pin punchs. So I sent back the whole set for replacement. The set I received back are HORRIBLE! They came out of the bag completely RUSTED! After 3 hours of soaking in Corrosion Block I noticed huge pits from the rust. Than I noticed the new style nipple on the end of the punch is not a rounded knob like it should be, but a sharp point that will break as soon as you use it. Not sure if I got remans, or if Brownells is using a different manufacturer? What ever the case, dont waste your money on these, these are junk! I do notice now they have PREMIUM ROLL PIN STARTER SET, for almost 15 dollars more. My question is simple, WHY CARRY THE JUNK ONES????
