I would try to stay away from brass inserts. Unless you loc-tite it on. Even then, IDK.
My Mr.Gasket ball is circa 1971. Probably before chinesium. It has been going strong for decades. And I don't recall the insert material.
'tell you what tho; I took one of those Hurst-type T-handles and drilled/tapped it up the big end and stood it on end onto my stick once. That worked pretty good, too! It was just too long tho and slowed down my shifting...........
