Correct, now adays pins are mostly decorative The epoxy does all the work. Prior to that, pins were peened over but eventually everything got loose and the pins had to be peened again until the wood split.
As far as getting the JB into the tube, I mixed it while warm so it flows very well. I also coated the pins in JB prior to inserting them into the JB filled tube. I plugged one end to keep the excess from running out.