Wouldn't one decide whether to replace the hinge pin or weld (or dovetail) the hook, hinge (pun intended!) on whether the pin was fixed or removable? Seems I recall reading that Winchester made replacement pins for the Model 21 in increasingly larger sizes, to compensate for wear. Certainly if you could get a new pin from the factory, fixing such an off-face gun would pretty much be a no-brainer.

If I had a "best" gun with a removable pin, I think I'd go with the replacement pin. But none of the 3 or so guns I've had put back on face met either of those criteria.