barrel pins

[fjohnson]

should the pins on the ramrod pipes and barrel be flush with the outside of the wood?  or should they be countersunk slightly?    on all the longrifles ive built i have countersunk them slightly and filled with beeswax.

[ltdann]

That's what I do.

[PPatch]

I grind the ends so they are just inside the pin hole. I also dress the ends with a very slight chamfer, just knock off the sharp edges with a light filing. I do not fill the holes but I do use beeswax on the pins to provide a bit of lubrication and protection.

dp

[hanshi]

I do about the same.  Mine are installed to the degree that when rubbing a thumb over the stock pin hole the pin ends can't be detected.

[SingleMalt]

You could fill the ramrod pipe pin holes. Personally, I wouldn’t fill barrel pin holes. Someone may want to remove the barrel for cleaning.

[fjohnson]

thanks guys  i really appreciate the comments

[rick/pa]

I round over the ends and cut them shy of the stock surface. Found out the hard way many years ago that a square cut pin will chip the opening of the hole. Use beeswax on the thimbles but not the barrel pins.

[flehto]

I always have the 1/16 dia pins 1/16" below the stock surface on both ends.....the hole can accept the drift so the stock doesn't get buggered up. Normally fill the holes w/ mahogany shoe polish......Fred

[hanshi]

Since I remove the barrels about once every year or so for waxing/rust checking, I put nothing in the stock pin holes.  So far, so good.

[WadePatton]

Since I remove the barrels about once every year or so for waxing/rust checking, I put nothing in the stock pin holes.  So far, so good.

Beeswax or othersuch won't affect the removal of the pins in any way-it's just cosmetically nicer than seeing shiny new pins (if you don't oxidize them intentionally).

[hanshi]

And I just happen to have a small amount of beeswax.