Pin Guage set ???? [Archive]

glenkans

07-28-2011, 11:08 PM

Guys, I'm paying alot more attention to my revolver shooting and am trying different things to get max. accuracy. Now I'm thinking of getting a set of pin guages. Does anyone know about a reasonably priced set of pin guages in 357 ,44 and 45 cal.? Some guys think I'm wasting my time trying to get more from my guns cause I can shoot pretty well as is.I was told to think of something else.What else do guys think about???? Thanks,Glen

sffar

07-29-2011, 04:51 PM

I've wondered about pin gauges as well, as they seem like they could be handy. Some people find them at auctions cheap, but I haven't come across a deal like that and don't want to spend the money for a complete set most of which I'll be unlikely to need. Some only purchase the gauges they're likely to use, which can be had new for a few bucks apiece (http://www.gageshop.com/). A set of telescoping gauges and/or small hole gauges can be gotten, along with a micrometer, and that seems to do the trick for me, and may offer more versatility. I have a great used tool store I frequent, and there are often some decent machinist's tools on the shelf. Paid about $18 for each gauge set and twenty or thirty or less for a micrometer and it's all nice Starrett stuff.
I'm assuming you're measuring cylinder throats and slugs.
Sam

drhall762

07-29-2011, 07:41 PM

Check out MSC. Lots of great stuff.

nicholst55

07-29-2011, 08:09 PM

I got mine from Enco (http://www.use-enco.com/cgi/INSRHI?PMSECT=1386).

wills

07-29-2011, 08:47 PM

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=38657&highlight=%22pin+guage+set%22

uscra112

07-29-2011, 08:47 PM

For measuring throats and bores (but not grooves), nothing we hobbyists can afford beats pin gages. www.gageshop.com is my go-to. Pins are $2.50 each, and you can bracket your expected value by getting just six or eight. (For each nominal value, buy a "plus" and a "minus". For .38 / .357 throats I have ten. A whole $25 bucks, plus shipping. Just keep 'em clean and dry and they'll last two lifetimes. Amazing what you can learn when you can measure holes with such certainty.

JIMinPHX

07-31-2011, 05:22 AM

MSC usually has the best selection & a variety of qualities/prices available.

Enco usually has the lowest prices.

If you are just looking for a few specific sizes (.357, .451, etc) then it might be cheaper to have a local machine shop make up a few pins for you instead of buying a full set.

For certain sizes, you can buy "drill blanks" individually that are pretty darn accurate. They are available in a variety of fractional, letter & wire number sizes. For example, a "T" is .358". A "6" is .204". A chart showing standard letter, wire & fractional sizes can be found here - http://www.ncprogramming.com/drill_size_chart.html or here http://www.carbidedepot.com/formulas-drillsize.htm

Nobade

07-31-2011, 09:30 AM

I have bought several sets of gauge pins for really cheap on Ebay, and at auctions for machine shops closing up. They come in sets from nearly nothing to 1/16", then 1/16" to 1/4 inch, then 1/4 to 1/2, and on up. Obviously the 1/16 to 1/4 and the 1/4 to 1/2 are the ones you want for doing most guns. Also keep in mind you can get various levels of precision for a price, and also get plus or minus sets. I use the minus sets and get the best results out of them. They are .0001 to .0002 less than the indicated hole size, so if a hole is what the pin says they will slide in. These are tools I use every day and would be lost without them. It's amazing the number of uses you find for them once you have them to use!

rwsem

08-02-2011, 08:02 AM

If you want a whole set, this is what I've used for a few years now:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Steel-Plug-Gauge-Set-250-pc-Minus/G9794

Neat thing is, you can "charge" you buddies one of your favorite beverages to gauge their firearms as well...

Regards, Ron

dragonrider

08-02-2011, 09:00 AM

RWSEM, that is the one I have and it have been very useful to me.

EOD3

08-04-2011, 05:40 AM