Model 15 Rivet for hammer pin broke

[Doug.38PR]

I was cleaning my M15 after shooting this afternoon and noticed half the firing pin rivet had fallen out and the other half was barely hanging on sticking out. I bumped it out popping the gun in my palm.
I ordered a new rivet from Brownells. In the meantime, I used a little hardware punch and mini hammer to tap the half-rivet back in backwards and that seems to be holding good. I figure this is an improvised Measure that'll work for now until I get the new full rivet mailed in to me. Thoughts? Will this half rivet be ok?
Thank you

 

[chief38]

I would absolutely replace the old one with the new one - it's not a hard job and doesn't take long. A half rivet will eventually work loose and you could loose the Nose or damage something. Aside from which, half is ugly. LOL! I would also not want to shoot the gun until the rivet is replaced - sort of an unbalanced hammer nose.

PS: I would NOT try and do this with the Hammer still in the gun. Take it out before working on it as you do not want to scratch or damage your M15. Use a Bench Block or equivalent, a proper hammer and rounded punch. You can make a punch to fit if you don't have one that already will.

 

[Doug.38PR]

I would absolutely replace the old one with the new one - it's not a hard job and doesn't take long. A half rivet will eventually work loose and you could loose the Nose or damage something. Aside from which, half is ugly. LOL! I would also not want to shoot the gun until the rivet is replaced - sort of an unbalanced hammer nose.

PS: I would NOT try and do this with the Hammer still in the gun. Take it out before working on it as you do not want to scratch or damage your M15. Use a Bench Block or equivalent, a proper hammer and rounded punch. You can make a punch to fit if you don't have one that already will.

A rounded punch? Why a rounded punch?

I agree half way is the wrong way, but at least everything is set in place and can't get lost. I plan on disassembling the gun

 

[chief38]

A rounded punch? Why a rounded punch?

I agree half way is the wrong way, but at least everything is set in place and can't get lost. I plan on disassembling the gun

For the final peening of the rivet I like to use a "ball end" punch that I made out of a larger punch I no longer needed. It just gives a nice smooth finished look. You don't need to be as OCD as I am - lol. I enjoy making personalized tools for specific jobs.

Since I do Smithin' only for myself, I don't care how long a job takes - as long as I am having fun and it comes out great -

 

[Doug.38PR]

For the final peening of the rivet I like to use a "ball end" punch that I made out of a larger punch I no longer needed. It just gives a nice smooth finished look. You don't need to be as OCD as I am - lol. I enjoy making personalized tools for specific jobs.

Since I do Smithin' only for myself, I don't care how long a job takes - as long as I am having fun and it comes out great -

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/hand-tools/punches/2005551

This is the set of punches I currently have. I used the smallest one on the end today.

 

[chief38]

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/hand-tools/punches/2005551

This is the set of punches I currently have. I used the smallest one on the end today.

I'd use a punch that properly fits the rivet as close to it's size as possible. I am a person that has made many tools for specific purposes. OK, I may not use them often but when I need to use them they work as designed. I am not a professional GS and not being paid so time in NOT money to me, it's fun!

PS: I have read of "Basement Gunsmiths" using 2 steel Ball Bearings of the proper size squeezed in with a Vise simultaneously. It sound good in theory but I have never tried it. While it might work - I'd be VERY cautious NOT to over tighten the vise! Of course you also need the precise sized Ball Bearings too.

 

[OutWest50]

You can use two center punches each with an identical angle on the end. Place one punch in a vise; position the hammer assembly as shown in the attached photo then position the second punch on the rivet and give it a couple of firm strikes with a small ball peen hammer. Turn the hammer over then repeat. The objective is to "flare" each side equally against the hammer surface. See photo.

 

[chief38]

I have a drawer in one of my tool boxes that has mostly been dedicated to small re-purposed tools I have made over the years. It contains punches, special drivers, holders, knives, drills etc. I have even made tools from scratch that I did not want to spend big bucks on for a once in a blue moon use.

I have also made tool holders for my Foredom Flex Shaft and Shop Vac so when I use them on certain items I can have both hands free. It's fun, totally useful and gives me a sense of accomplishment!

Making special drivers and punches are simple, easy and useful - since I always seem to have doaner's that have gotten bent, worn out or broken either by myself or friends. In fact I always ask friends to save for me what they think is a broken punch

 

[WR Moore]

At one time I was doing enough rivet replacements that I made up a flat plate with an inset anvil to flare/hold the other end of the rivet. Took less time to make the plate than trying to hold hammer, rivet and punches in the proper places one time.