I have a housewife sized rivet gun that I use fairly regularly. I have no problem squeezing the handle and squeezing most rivets. These stainless steel rivets are ANOTHER BEAST. I used these #64 stainless steel large flange rivets to mount the part on my metal boat and I'm here to inform you that a standard rivet gun (even if these rivet rods fit the gun) IS NOT RECOMMENDED . It was almost impossible to squeeze these monsters. If you plan to use them, get a HEAVY or PROFESSIONAL rivet gun. (Just a word for the wise)