Can someone save me from my pitiful gunsmithing skills? I’m trying to replace the trigger on my son’s new 10/22 with a BX trigger. I cannot get the two pens out that hold the original trigger in place. I’ve YouTubed it and the folks on the videos just punch them out with no problem. These will not budge and I don’t want to break anything. I’ve circled the pens I’m talking about in the pic. Got to be something I’m missing.

I have never touched one but are hitting them from the right side? Some pins will only go one way. Bigger on one side than the other.

They do punch out

Watch the youtube videos and make sure you're hitting them out from the same side as they are. Sometimes the pins are one-directional, but I can't remember if the 10/22 is or not.

Last piece of advice - return the BX and get a Brimstone. I found the BX to be basically identical to the factory trigger. Brimstone Tier 2 was fantastic

I've done this many times. Bigger hammer or hit them harder.

Use a gunsmith block. I think that’s what it’s called. Lay it flat so that the assembly is supported, over a hole so the pin will fall out. That is once you’re sure you’re driving it in the right direction.

Okay, I checked the videos and I’m pushing the right direction but have not hit it with a hammer. I’ll break out the big tools tomorrow. Thought maybe there was a lock or some trick I didn’t know. Thanks for the help.

Use a correct size punch and some solid taps with a gunsmith hammer. With the correct tools it doesn’t take much to punch them out.

A little penetrating oil, wood or nylon block w/hole, brass punch and BFH. Use the right tools!

Lay a roll of masking tape on its side,

Place the action on top, but make sure your pin has room to exit.

Use a punch or short wooden dowel to hammer it out.

I like that. And as others have said, make sure it’s solid and supported. I know there are better triggers out there, but for the money, the bx isn’t bad at all.

If you like what you’re doing go ahead and invest in some decent punches if you don’t have any. Even a good set is cheap, but a cheap set is crap. Wheeler makes some for gunsmithing which I have. They won’t scratch a your finish.

I drill a 1/2" hole in a 2X4 to set the pin over. I use a proper sized Grace punch and light taps with a hammer that has one side rubber and once side nylon. They actually can come out either way on a 10/22 but the traditional direction makes most sense. They are not pressed in like action parts, just a light interference fit with a tiny amount of spring tail tension on some of them. Those pins fall out on some 10/22s just by taking the stock off.

Okay, thanks for the ideas. I’m going to wait and get a tool set. I just didn’t want to muscle up on it bc I felt like I was missing a step. I have a history of breaking things. I just started learning to work on my guns recently. Thanks again.

Where are you located?

Those pins shouldn't be that hard to get out. Most of the time they just fall out.
That looks like the plastic trigger housing so the holes may be a little tight but still shouldn't need a hammer.
Is the hammer cocked?

This is my experience my pins push out with my fingers no need for a punch. If your hammer is cocked it’s putting pressure on the trigger housing pushing it down causing tension on the pin holes.

Okay, I feel better for someone agreeing it shouldn’t be that tight. I did just get them out with a punch and a hammer. They were just as tight going back in. I had to use the hammer to drive them in also. Anyway, thanks for the help. I’m good now……Trigger is much better than the factory trigger.

Onlysmith&wesson, I’m in the Longview area.

It's not uncommon for the pin hole diameters to vary by several thousandths. Some will literally just fall out and some will need a punch and hammer. Glad it worked out for you.

Best $ I've spent on mine. It's been so long I can't recall which tier I got but it's WAY better.

Glad you got it changed out. Hope it works well for you and your son.
I installed a Volquartsen HP Action Kit on my 10/22 and it made a world of difference.