Question

I am working on a couple of Rossi .38 special revolvers. They both had the pin in the frame for the hammer snap and I have drilled out a hole in the frame to install new pins. My question is would a case hardened pin last as a hammer pin, or should I get some oil or water hardening rod instead?

The revolvers are older InterArms era guns and the gun is designed with the pins milled into the frame, which is why when they broke, the only way to make the gun work is to drill out the frame for new ones. I bought them from a gentleman who tried to drill them out and the holes are ever so slightly off, so I have carefully enlarged the holes for larger pins. I thought casehardened pins would be good since they would be less likely to snap.