Barrel Pins

[ken]

I am starting new project. The question is on witch is more accurate 3 barrel pins or 4. And what is the best spacing for either. Oh yes I forgot ,42inch straight oct.

[AMartin]

4

[northmn]

To be a little less terse than Martin, 4 are generally recommended for a 42" barrel.

DP

[ken]

What do you all think on spacing?

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Tersely:  Evenly  

Perhaps not so smart*** :  put one about 2-3 inches back from the muzzle and one about 6 inches back from the RR entry hole and then space the other two evenly........ There is lots of room to play. All you are doing is hanging wood on the barrel. Be sure to stay clear of where the thimbles will go as thier spacing is very important.

[Don Getz]

I ususally  place the rear underlug about 7" from the breech, this puts it about in the middle of the foregrip.    The front
underlug is placed about 3" to 3 1/2" from the muzzle.   The other two are spaced evenly in between these........Don

[Dave R]

Try to avoid the waist on a swamped barrel!

Dave R

[B Shipman]

Doing this for 30+ years. 3 are fine for 42 in. or shorter. 4 or more for anything longer. 4 are vastly more commom on originals regardless of length.

[wvmtnman]

When I first started, I built a 42 inch barrel fullstock, .32 caliber 7/8.   I only used three pins.  The inletting was not the best, so it was bedded.  One time I picked it up the from the bottom of the upper forstock, at a point that was in between two pins.  It felt as if the stock had pulled away from the barrel.  I repeated the action while watching.  Sure enough, the stock was pulling away.  I am sure it was due to the heavy barrel and a number of other "fit" problems but from that point on, I only used 4 for fullstocks 38 inches or longer.
                                                                               Brian

[Mark Elliott]

It depends entirely on what you are making.   If it is a PA rifle, then four would be correct.   If it is a VA rifle then three would be more like it given that the first pin ususally doesn't come until the rear entry hole.    The early guns are pinned forward of that so it is hard to get more than three pins.   

Mark E.

[Red Owl]

And, I think Mark says it all- isn't the point to recreate as close as possible to the original? If 4 was the most common- and from the photos I've seen- that seems the case- then I'd put in 4. IMHO

[pathfinder]

I just started using pin tenons instead of dovetail so using 4 pins is A LOT easier.

[Don Getz]

Pathfinder........"started using pins instead of dovetails"......boy, you lost me there.   Explain what you are doing......these
are two separate operations.    Even tho I use pins, I still have to dovetail an underlug in place......what are you doing?
Don

[bgf]

Don,
I think he means the staple-like (under)lugs that you drive into holes instead of sliding into dovetails.

[pathfinder]

Yup,staple lugs,couldn't remember the name off the top of my head this morning,was in a hurry to get to my concealed carry class.
I really like 'em,strong and fast.