Silver Bullet

[aegusto]

Is there any material difference (besides $1.04 in price) between the Vang Comp Silver Bullet and Brownell's Carrier Pivot Slave Pin? Anyone have a preference?

[Vitaly]

I have both of them. They have the same features and both work good:



Silver Bullet tool for Remington 870 from Vang Comp Systems

Yotube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvcmkUpUV7w

[aegusto]

Brownell's tool at top of photo, Silver Bullet on bottom?

[Synchronizor]

Just a note, these are gunsmith tools that make things slightly more convenient for armorers or gunsmiths that have to work on dozens of shotguns. If you're only working with one or two privately-owned 870s, you really don't need one of these. It's very rarely necessary to remove your carrier pivot tube, and if you do have reason to, you can pull it out using just a thumbnail in one or two seconds.

[aegusto]

these are gunsmith tools

Ya, I know, but for ~$12 it is worth it. I take great pleasure in having the right tool for the job. I have only two 870s, but the Brownell's forend wrench was worth every penny.

[Vitaly]

Brownell's tool at top of photo, Silver Bullet on bottom?

Yes, you are right.

[unknwn1]

I just removed the below post as a new topic after I discovered this on the next page of topics.
I for one HATE struggling with assembly tasks when there is a tool (especially an inexpensive one) that allows one to get the job done without pinched/abused fingertips, and would avoid any chance of tool marks. Just the point in time that I follow the advice on the previous post that I would rarely/never find need to dismantle the carrier pivot area of the 870, I will wish that I had added it to my tool set.
SO0o.... here AGAIN is my so carefully worded (and -then- deleted) post.

When ever I find myself ordering from Brownells I try to pay attention to the specialty tools that make working on my firearms easier (or in some cases -even- possible!).
Although I've learned (here) that the extra-tension carrier spring of the Police version of the 870 is not particularly desirable, the pin-alignment tool associated with this spring's installation IS a good idea.

My question today has to do with the two versions of this tool that are produced.
Which one might be more desirable? The Vang brand "Silver Bullet" alignment pin looks(?) as if it might be a bit longer, but sports a more blunt taper on the guide end than the competition's version.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools ... 51763.aspx
Since the tool's idea is such a good one, and the supply through Vang isn't always optimum, Brownells markets their own version of the self-same? tool. The Brownells version seems (from the illustration) that it might be a little shorter, but there looks to be a much different taper to the business end.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools ... -3523.aspx

Does anyone here have experience with either (-or- both) of these tools so that they might express a preference?
Both are currently available, costs are exactly comparable, I'm just looking for an educated -or other- opinion about this small, simple, aggravation saving 870 tool.

[Synchronizor]

Just to reinforce what I said earlier, removing the carrier pivot tube is a very fast and simple procedure. With the carrier dog depressed, you just grab the pivot tube and slide it out. Then simply reverse that for replacement. If you were working in an armory and had to change out the carriers or carrier dog follower springs on dozens of shotguns in one sitting, a pusher tool might be beneficial. But for normal folks with one or two 870s who may want to put in new springs once every few years (and even that's a generous assumption; many 870 owners only pull out that part once or twice in the life of the gun, and most never do it at all), the tool is pointless. You'll maybe save a second or two while replacing the pivot tube - which is far less than the time you'll spend just getting the tool out to use it (assuming you don't have to look for where you put the thing when you bought/used it five years ago). There's also the fact that forcing the pivot tube through with a pusher tool is harder on the carrier parts than simply lining things up and slipping the tube into place by hand. Try to force that tool through with something out of place, and you could wind up FUBARing your carrier or carrier washer.

Anyway, I'll drop it there. If you're convinced you need a specialty tool for this, I would suggest the Brownells one. It has a longer taper on the nose that should make it less likely to damage something if you use it improperly, and it'll wear slightly less on the carrier parts because there's less of it to push through. Also, a different Vang Comp product I purchased recently exhibited extremely poor design & manufacturing; enough to make me doubtful about their other products.