Depending on the cost and/or availability for a good ‘Smith to perform the job, this certainly will be an option. I’ll most likely end up taking a bath on it, but at least it’ll no longer be my concern.Not sure this has been mentioned before but with todays pricing how about selling it and disclosing the bulge????
Sorry to hear. My late mentor barrel maker (Hal Sharon) taught me long ago to both run fingers down barrel to feel for defects and examine them for same. Squibs and those inclined to press muzzle against something and pull trigger often the cause. I used to rebarrel revolvers enough to know its easy with right tools and often a disaster without. Setting/indexing frame to barrel and setting Cyl gap is tricky Sometimes adding something exotic can help ease the pain. Once added a 10" octagon to a minty NM Blackhawk (200th year) with "Held to tree" bulge!! Actually made it into real neat and rifle accurate shooter.
Tough to be objective with a new toy. Due to human nature, buyers rarely see even moderate flaws and often see only what they want. In a store, busy or not, its also tough. All the paperwork does not help.
Whenever possible try to inspect objectively and calmly on basis of mechanical function and close inspection of all visible parts. Tough to do standing at counter but best done sitting The sound of the action, how smoothly it operates and most importantly checking for defects. My mentor, Hal Sharon, checked barrels by looking not only down a clean bore but running fingers up and down exterior. It is still not enough to discover all flaws. Buying off net prevents you from doing anything like this.
Aw, heck, just go full-on sarcastic mode and have a custom, vent-rib 4" barrel made for it with "Boomslang" scrawled on one side in fancy block letters.Failing that [...] just to be difficult 4.75" or 5.5' like The Other Guys.
NB: The "boomslang" (Dispholidus typus) is one of the most dangerous venomous snakes on the African continent. It hunts by extending the forward part of its body motionless from a tree, mimicking a dead branch. It delivers its venom like a Coral snake, by chewing on its victim until the victim succumbs to the toxins.