[jspatz1]

Yes you could get them at the hardware store, but probably not mil. spec. grade which would be significantly stronger than the commodity grade you will find at the store. It would be worth ordering several from McMasterCarr you would have them in 2-3 days. I believe AM used an extra-strength grade when they were using them.

Yes a standard fractional drill will work, the pin is slightly oversize and made to flex smaller when driven into a nominal size hole.

I would think there is very little experience out there with solenoids on AM shifters since this was the first year solenod actuators were allowed. It would take a substantial solenoid to approach the force of a 1/2" air cylinder, and the size/power that is allowed is limited. To get push and pull motion you would need a push-pull solenod, or two solenods, or would have to combine it with a spring return which would increase the size needed. One would have to look at what power is allowed and see how the pull force could compare to air. You would probably need a contiuous duty type for long periods of being energized, which means less pull force for a given size. Getting to a force comparable to air would likely get pretty heavy.