Ruger Super Blackhawk indications on barrel: defect or normal

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R Bursey

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I just recently purchased a Ruger Super Blackhawk in SS and I noticed what appeared to be scrapes on both sides of the barrel around the front sight. Upon further investigation with magnification I see what now appears to an inclusion or porosity of some kind or maybe a casting defect. Has anyone seen this sort of thing before?
 
the front sight of my Ruger SBH was put on wrong. I sent it back to Ruger they put a new barrel on it. i did have to argue with them to do it because the pistol was a 12 year old safe quine and that lady said the gun was drooped. then i told her to have there gunsmith look at it he agreed with me got it fixed
 
The base of my Super Blackhawk has markings similar to those in the attached picture. I've seen others that look the same. I bought my RSB in the mid '70s so it might have been Ruger's growing pains with respect to finish. Obviously this is not the barrel per se.

A picture of what you feel is the issue here is pretty much required to make any definitive assessment.
 

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The base of my Super Blackhawk has markings similar to those in the attached picture. I've seen others that look the same. I bought my RSB in the mid '70s so it might have been Ruger's growing pains with respect to finish.
Click to expand...

Those are machining marks seen in the pic. They did not take the time to polish them out. Polishing them would have taken time and skill to do properly and therefore added expense. The marks do not effect function.

tipoc
 
Barrel pic

Here is a picture, hopefully as not exactly sure how to attach, if you enlarge you should be able to see the marks I am referring too they are wavy lines. I can assure you that they are not machine marks as I can, under magnification see black porosity ( tiny bubbles like welding slag) in the center of the marks.
 

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tipoc said:
Those are machining marks seen in the pic. They did not take the time to polish them out. Polishing them would have taken time and skill to do properly and therefore added expense. The marks do not effect function.

tipoc
Click to expand...
Yep, hence the part about "growing pains" with respect to Ruger's QC and finishing back in the day.
 
R Bursey said:
Here is a picture, hopefully as not exactly sure how to attach, if you enlarge you should be able to see the marks I am referring too they are wavy lines. I can assure you that they are not machine marks as I can, under magnification see black porosity ( tiny bubbles like welding slag) in the center of the marks.
Click to expand...
New or used gun? If used, I'd allow it's in fine condition and advise you shoot it until it breaks. If it's brand new, call Ruger. The call's free and they might have a solution. Then shoot it until it breaks.

It's been years, but I have buffed out scratches on stainless guns and even been able to match the original finish pretty well.

Be wary of too close examination under high magnification. You're talking about a reasonably priced mass produced consumer item here.

Anyway, good luck with getting your issue resolved.
 
The marks are on both sides you say?

They are either small, light scratches which can be easily buffed or polished out, or...a small hairline crack in the barrel. The former is more likely than the latter.

Do you see anything similar inside the barrel?

A pic of the other side would help.

tipoc
 
It is very difficult to tell from the picture, but from my perspective it looks like normal wear and tear from being holstered . I really can see nothing wrong.
 
The gun is brand new never fired a shot yet. I was not comfortable to shoot it like this, I got a response back from the gunsmith from the shop where I ordered the gun online and he says it's where they silver soldered the front sight on. Personally I am a little uncomfortable with it as the lines / marks run right into the barrel neck or mouth ( muzzle) on both sides, looks like the perfect place to open up. I contacted Ruger in the U.S. and they told me to contact Ruger Canada, which I did almost a week ago, they acknowledged my email but never replied back with any answers to date, I have sent several email since with no response . Maybe I should just send it back and get a S&W instead.
 
My initial guess is there's nothing wrong with that gun. You have to really magnify the pic to see a little trace of something that isn't much of anything. I'd keep it and blast away. That's a nice revolver. JMHO.
 
I will NDT the barrel on Monday and will let you guys know the results. NDT ( non destructive testing - with LPI (liquid penetrant inspection).
 
I doubt that Zyglo or Dykem will show anything wrong. Still, we await the results. (From a former AF-certified NDT inspector)
 
The barrel on your revolver was not cast, but machined from a rifled tube - called a barrel blank. The front sight ramp was either made from an investment casting or machined from bar stock. The ramp was silver soldered to the barrel, and this might have left the minor pitting you referred to.

Admittedly Ruger does not usually offer this model with a high-polish finish. If they did you could reasonably expect an additional $100 (US) added to the price. By all means do your non-destructive testing, but I suspect that the barrel is fine and meets the manufacturer's specifications.
 
I zoomed this image up to the point of distortion and see nothing that looks failure prone.
I am interested in your NDT test but also doubt it will show anything.

I think it's fine. JMHO
 
I'm not seeing anything I wouldn't expect to see.

Shoot it.

If the end of the barrel splits open like Elmer Fudd's shotgun?

Only then do you have a problem!!!

rc
 
Yes, I used Magnaflux , and as you all pretty much told me already it showed no indication that would indicate a crack, the barrel is investment cast as it turned out it was most likely the front sight silver soldering process left over. Thank you all for your interest in my dilemma. I decided to keep the gun and hopefully enjoy it for many years to come. Not sure why but trying to attach pictures was taking forever to upload so I decided to omit them.
 
Give it another try. Sometimes thinks get slow then later, they're fine.
 
Here is a picture of the barrel with the penetrant on it, maybe you can see why I had some concerns. Thank you all for your comments I appreciate the feed back.
 

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