Well... looks like the gold nugget had a lot of Pyrite in it...

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Paul7 said:
Too bad, most of us wouldn't have noticed a minor defect like that.
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My buddy bought an clean-looking Type 99 Arisaka. Turns out it had a rust hole completely through the barrel under the wood. You really couldnt see it just looking down the bore. Fortunately, we ran a patch through it before he tried to shoot it!:what:
 
Anecdote Alert

Long ago, I was shopping guns, with Dad along to handle the paperwork.
I saw a Combat Masterpiece .22 on the shelf behind the showcase.
I asked to see it, the clerk said
"We took it in trade but when we cleaned it to put it out for sale, we found a bulge in the barrel. It is going back to the factory for a new barrel."
I looked at Dad, he nodded, and I said
"Please call when you get it back."
He did and I did, and I still have it nearly 60 years later.
The factory replacement barrel is shinier than the old but that does not keep it from shooting well.
 
@Riomouse911 Would shipping it back to S&W be an option?
I do recall talking with them about a new 4" barrel for my model 19 a couple of years ago - Boy, am I glad I left it alone with the 6" I have grown fond of.
At the time they said "We might, but we'll have to get back to you." They didn't and I didn't pursue it.
 
Trouble is you will always know that bulge is there and it will bug you to death if your anything like me and I suspect you are. Shortening it up or replacing the barrel are probably the best option to keep a good older Smith going. Or you sell it for what you can get after revealing it’s “issue”. Either way you still pay for a credit to the school of hard knocks but who hasn’t? I should have a Masters degree by now. Oh and by the way, keep that target and advertise it with the gun. 99% of the shooters I know would be happy with those groups:)
 
Even correctly done Sleeving is not without issues. Might fix interior but not exterior. Might also be a bit weak at bulge but epoxies might do it but still have to pull and reinstall. Sleeved barrels tend to affect value and put some folks "off". This is why replacement is still long term cost effective solution.
 
Riomouse911

Add me to the list of all those who were saddened by the news of the bulged barrel. At least you have some options available to go with in terms of resolving this problem. Please keep us posted as to what path you choose to take with your Model 14.
 
Sorry to hear this.

However, think of this as an opportunity to get creative with what I'd call a "hobby gun". Something you can customize as you see fit, and maybe with a very unique outcome.

For example, since the .38 special is pretty much a closet .357 magnum for handloaders, why not port the barrel?

I have no idea how critical bore diameter is in porting, with respect to boring the end of the barrel slightly over that of the bullet caliber. Probably not a good idea, the more I think of it, with respect to the effects on bullet stability.

But maybe it's possible to bore out the end of the barrel slightly as already mentioned in an earlier post to maintain overall barrel length, machine the outer bulge back down consistent with the original outer barrel diameter, port it, and refinish it.

OR...instead of porting, bore out the end as mentioned, machine the bulge away, and have some fancy artwork engraved on the barrel.

Of course, just cutting the barrel down is an option as well. It is, after all, an 8 3/8" version and S&W also produced a 6" version.
 
A long time ago in a city not too far away, I had a really nice 30-30 that I couldn’t get to shoot. Took it to a smith and there was a bulge about an inch from the end of the barrel. He back bored it past the bulge and it shot wonderfully from then on. Definitely look at that first, and you can find a replacement barrel down the road if you so desire and restore it.
 
I can vouch for Pinnacle high performance, Mark is a great pistol smith, he did a barrel swap on model 65 and a cylinder swap on a 642 for me. I have a 581 I want to have worked on by him some day.
 
Bummer! On the bright side, it would make a really cool .32-20WCF (lined barrel and cylinders, maybe?) or cut down to 5" it'd be really good as a .38Spl for pins-n-plates.

Sorry you got scorched but you're not alone and misery does love company. ;)
 
Riomouse911 said:
Man, every once in a while I hit a home run... other times I foul out. This time I think I popped it up with two on, two out.

Like a beauty queen that is stunning on the outside but has a dark personality you only find out about later, it looks like the amazingly nice Model 14 that I gushed about in the previous thread had a flaw that I missed. o_O

I took it to the range and fired several groups using my usual accuracy loads; 2.7 gr Bullseye under a 148 gr lead DEWC and 3.0 gr Bullseye under a 148 gr plated HBWC, and a mid range load of a coated 158 gr SWC over 4.1 gr HP-38.

Every SA shot at 12 yards with the wadcutters was at least 3” low, and scattered in groups about 2”x 2” wide. Man, I was disappointed.

View attachment 1004197
#1 was center hold, #2 and #3 was at the top of the oval, #4 and # 5 at the top of the orange oval. The 158 gr load was no better. I will say the trigger pull wasn’t great, I think the innards need some old oil cleaned up and maybe some new Wolff lower powered springs.

My Model 15 cleaned up, I was shooting rapid fire DA at 12 yards and shooting similar groups as the 8 3/8” gun shot SA.

View attachment 1004199 View attachment 1004200

This gun shoots a tad right for me, I need to adjust the rear sight a bit.

Soooo, I head home a bit demoralized about the performance of the new gun. Then, during a wipe down I find the ultimate wart.

A BULGE IN THE BARREL!! :cuss:

I didn’t notice it when I brought it home, but during cleaning I noticed about an inch and a half from the muzzle is a slight bulge. Clearly the prior owner shot a round after a squib load and it bulged the barrel. I found it with a tight fitting patch; it starts snug, then slips when it hits the bulge, then fits tight again. I then pinched the barrel with my fingers and ran the oil rag along the barrel to confirm it was bulged.

View attachment 1004201

This makes it look worse than it is on the outside, but it’s right above the pipe cleaner.

The damn thing isn’t accurate at all and it is useless as is, Man, I’m bummed.

View attachment 1004202

Looking at the muzzle-front shot I posted in my original thread, sure enough the bulge is visible so it was there before I shot it. I just never noticed it until I put a patch down the bore.:(

I sent the seller a message, but I’m going to assume it’s a no-return item. No one I’ve checked has a pinned 8 3/8” barrel for sale, I already have 6” and 4” K-frame .38’s so I am not sure I want to drop $350 to get it cut and recrowned.

If I do, maybe I’ll cut it to 5”.

Grrrrrrr! The hazards of on line buying finally hit me good. :fire:

Stay safe.
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OK, I'll be the contrarian.

So you're not gonna win any bullseye matches with it.

Still looks like a revolver with some pragmatic value to me. If I had it, I might have it cut, or I might just leave it as is. The latter would be the cost-effective solution.

Just leave it as is. One never knows when one might have use for one more .38 special revolver.
 
Monster Zero said:
OK, I'll be the contrarian.

So you're not gonna win any bullseye matches with it.

Still looks like a revolver with some pragmatic value to me. If I had it, I might have it cut, or I might just leave it as is. The latter would be the cost-effective solution.

Just leave it as is. One never knows when one might have use for one more .38 special revolver.
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Since I have 2", 3", 4", and 6" J and K frame .38's (And all four lengths plus 8" in K and L frame sized .357 Mags.), I really wanted a worthy 8 3/8" K-frame .38 Special to shoot something different. I do think the bulge is in the perfect place to upset the bullet's travel and then not have enough barrel left to recover stability before it exits. I only shot it at 12 yards with poor results, I'd hate to see what it looks like at 25 or more. The worst part is the gun is in such amazing condition that if it doesn't work out with finding an 8 3/8" barrel to swap I'll probably pay have it cut to 5" and then look for another 8 3/8" gun elsewhere. :)

I did get a response from the seller asking me to call him to discuss it, but I was out of town and did not have access to the e-mail associated with my GB account. I will have time tomorrow morning to give a ring, I'll post the results of the call. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
Rodfac said:
Ah...and that, my friend, would make it a truly unique and useful revolver! Bummer when another shooter palms off an obviously flawed gun....but I do like the idea of a 5 incher...Rod
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I agree. Problem is now he would have to find a 5 inch L frame to keep symmetry. And then still have to find that 8 inch K frame 38.
Ok, ok..... so that's not a bad problem to have:D
 
Riomouse911 said:
Since I have 2", 3", 4", and 6" J and K frame .38's (And all four lengths plus 8" in K and L frame sized .357 Mags.), I really wanted a worthy 8 3/8" K-frame .38 Special to shoot something different. I do think the bulge is in the perfect place to upset the bullet's travel and then not have enough barrel left to recover stability before it exits. I only shot it at 12 yards with poor results, I'd hate to see what it looks like at 25 or more. The worst part is the gun is in such amazing condition that if it doesn't work out with finding an 8 3/8" barrel to swap I'll probably pay have it cut to 5" and then look for another 8 3/8" gun elsewhere. :)

I did get a response from the seller asking me to call him to discuss it, but I was out of town and did not have access to the e-mail associated with my GB account. I will have time tomorrow morning to give a ring, I'll post the results of the call. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
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I hope you can come to an acceptable deal with the seller if that's what you want.

If I found myself stuck in a deal like you describe, with no recourse from the seller I'd cut it and hope for the best. Make it a fishing gun or something like that.
 
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