Abstract: A hand held nailing device for use in starting, driving, and setting nails is composed of a hollow cylindrical barrel having a stepped diameter longitudinal bore. An abutment shoulder is formed by the intersection of first and second diameter portions of the longitudinal bore. A stepped diameter cylindrical ram is slidably received within the barrel. An annular stop face is formed by the intersection of a first smaller diameter portion and a second layer diameter portion of the cylindrical ram. A spring ball detent is utilized to retain a nail in the barrel by engaging the nail head. By striking the end of the ram, the nail will be driven into the desired location on a work surface until the stop face on the ram contacts the abutment shoulder within the barrel. By appropriately dimensioning the barrel and the ram, the device may be adapted for use with a variety of different sized nails.