Originally Posted by
Outpost75
S&W uses a small babbitt bar about 3/4" diameter and 10 inches long. At Ruger they used a 1 pound lead mallet cast from the Hensley & Gibbs mold. If barrel has shrouded ejector rod just support frame on bench block and give the barrel a good whack. Done by feel and experience. For skinny S&W "pencil" barrel, soft brass clamp is placed around barrel lug and snugged, and the clamp tapped smartly. If barrel is pinned, just move barrel until it binds against barrel pin, as only slight movement is needed.
Light alloy frames are delicate and frame is supported in a special fixture. Even then there is risk of deformity or cracking frame, even when done at factory.