RangerTrace Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 (edited) I tried a search and got 25 pages on "punch", so I'll ask this very basic question. I went to Home Depot today to buy a few tools for my range bag. I wanted a brass punch to get the extractor out, put the firing pin back in, etc. However, they only had steel ones. I went ahead and bought the steel ones along with some other stuff. Later I found that Brownells had the brass set. Should I order the brass set, or will the steel ones be OK? I've been using the soft brass alignment and push punches from my armorers kit which are getting bent and deformed. I'm really only worried about damaging the tip of the extractor. Edited October 4, 2009 by rangertrace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AR Gunner Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Brass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike cyrwus Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 steel. you shouldnt need to be pounding on anything, and with the extractor, youll appreciate the steel punch when you are prying it out of the slide. You can use the fat end of the punch to push the extractor tip back into the breechface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred fague Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 I have the Brownell's brass set made by Grace. There are eight punches 1/16 thru 5/16 plus a brass hammer. Better to nick or bend brass than to damage a part of the firearm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-ManBart Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 I've never hurt an extractor using a steel punch....but I guess brass wouldn't be a terrible idea. R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eerw Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 brass... just for the what ifs... anything slips..steel will damage the finish or the part..brass is softer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Gaines Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 hell I use the plastic part of an old toothbrush, but if you want a punch set it wouldn't hurt to have a good set of brass, and steel punches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VegasOPM Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 I use whatever is close at hand. I'd feel all uppity using special tools. Of course I shot Glocks for 12 years or so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shooterbenedetto Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 (edited) I use the brass tool rod and grind down as a punch. I bought a set of steel punch at harbor freight for 5bucks. bad idea...you can sratch your gun with it easily Ever since I only use brass and the scratch always comes off!! Edited October 4, 2009 by shooterbenedetto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Sierpina Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Use the steel punches. The 1/8" diameter is the one you'll use for pushing in the firing pin, and prying the extractor to clear the breachface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgkeller Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 shape an old toothbrush handle with a file to make the perfect tool for this job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P. Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Or, this is never a bad idea to keep around http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1004/Pr...OR_REMOVAL_TOOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted October 4, 2009 Author Share Posted October 4, 2009 Or,this is never a bad idea to keep around http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1004/Pr...OR_REMOVAL_TOOL Yeah, I saw that and noticed it was steel. So, hopefully the steel punch will be OK. THANKS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Is this a collector item or a competition gun? Steel may mar the finish, especially if you aren't careful, but so will shooting it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike4045 Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 I have never used a punch to get one out. I have used plastic or nylon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 I would be a good idea to have both brass and steel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted October 4, 2009 Author Share Posted October 4, 2009 Is this a collector item or a competition gun? Steel may mar the finish, especially if you aren't careful, but so will shooting it... I'm cleaning the Open Benny gun more than anything right now, but I would use it on all of my 1911/2011s for cleaning. The open gun has an IonBond finish and I've heard that knife blades won't even scratch it. I'll be careful no matter which gun it is, I just don't want to break the tip of the extractor. I'll probably order a brass one from Brownells tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wide45 Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 The extractor tip is not fragile. A steel punch or screwdriver would be fine, just don't use it with a hammer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Gonsalves Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Or,this is never a bad idea to keep around http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1004/Pr...OR_REMOVAL_TOOL This is what I use too! Works great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ogiebb Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 i use the Alum Sight Punch from my dawson Precision sights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boz1911 Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 With the Aftec's I use a T handle allen wrench and a small flat tip screwdriver. With the T handle in one hand holding slight pressure I use the screwdriver to move the tip so that it aligns with the extractor tunnel. Has worked well for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Lord Gomer Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 I tried a search and got 25 pages on "punch", so I'll ask this very basic question. Search tip....if you want to find all posts that have both "brass punch" and "steel punch" in them, use the following in the search field: "brass punch"+"steel punch" Sorry, no help on the real subject matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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