K-22 barrel pin

[sbrmike]

I have changed a few S&W barrels through the years and many were pinned. Is there a preferred method for barrel pin removal? I.E. did the factory usually or always install them from the left or right or did they put them in both ways? I like to remove pins the opposite direction from installation. Or what are your thoughts on that?

Some guns, not S&W revolvers, had slightly tapered pins that usually were installed right to left and removed left to right.

 

[Alk8944]

S&W pins are straight. It doesn't make any difference what direction they are installed/removed, l-r or r-l. Best practice however is to always do it the same way and gunsmiths typically always use in r-l, out l-r on all guns.