Anyone ever buy a new in box gun with a pitted barrel?

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vzenmn

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Ruger LCP 1st gen. I inspected the barrel with a light when buying and it looked good. The factory packing oil and a little carbon left over from the test firing must of covered it up. One swab with a dry patch and it stood out like a sore thumb.
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There is no visible rust. I am not an expert on how barrels are made but it looks to have gotten pitted then blued over.

Currently deciding whether to go to the range tomorrow to see how it shoots ( it is a pocket pistol after all.) or put it back in the box and calling Ruger Monday. The last time I sent a Ruger back for warranty repair was back around 2007-8 and it took over two months to get it back.:(
 
I'd try a new bore brush and some good solvent just to see if it's dirt or actual pitting. If it's pitting I'd send it back. Pitting never gets better, only worse and it would bug me every time I looked down the bore.

BSW
 
I wouldn’t worry about it… 1-3 mags and it will be good as new

or a nice dremal with felt tip and Flitz
 
Thats rediculous. Looks like pitting to me. I have gotten pistols with chatter marks from worn tooling and it doesnt look like that. I would call Ruger and raise hell (and I never send guns back). Shame on them.

You will be doing a favor to all of us. The more companies get away with this stuff the more quality slips.
 
starling said:
Thats rediculous. Looks like pitting to me. I have gotten pistols with chatter marks from worn tooling and it doesnt look like that. I would call Ruger and raise hell (and I never send guns back). Shame on them.

You will be doing a favor to all of us. The more companies get away with this stuff the more quality slips.
Click to expand...
if you do send it back. Ruger is noting but Pure Customer Service Heaven!
 
I say shoot it. I bought my LCP very used and it still performs as expected.
It's a 2-300 dollar gun, not a 3k Wilson Combat 1911.
That's not to say we shouldn't expect good quality when we buy new guns, just that we can't expect perfection at a budget price.
 
vzenmn said:
Currently deciding whether to go to the range tomorrow to see how it shoots ( it is a pocket pistol after all.) or put it back in the box and calling Ruger Monday. The last time I sent a Ruger back for warranty repair was back around 2007-8 and it took over two months to get it back.:(
Click to expand...

I would sent it back. You'll always be mad about it if you don't. I sure would be. I have been in a similar situation and I sent the weapon back and they made it right (PTR industries).
 
I have surplus rifles from WW2 with better barrels than that. Maybe they were doing salt water testing on it. Looks like Woody Woodpecker had a go at it.
 
... one swab with a dry patch ....
?
I'd like to see the barrel after a few shots, patches with solvent, brush, then dry patches.

I tend to buy used guns. NIB implies to me "not touched since testfired at the factory."
 
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Thanks for the replies. Letting the bore soak in Hoppes' over night. Good brushing in the morning and will go from there.
 
Its not going to effect accuracybut its still a bunch of bolagna. I seriously doubt that is acceptable QC under ruger..... budget gun or not. Makes me wonder what else is slipping through the cracks.
 
I have had lots of Ruger pistols and never had anything look like that. If thats the new "good enough" standard I will stick with buying the old guns.

Just when I was looking at the American Competition 9mm longslide. Hope they are not shipping them out with sewer pipes for barrels.
 
From the photos provided, it looks like chatter marks left from a dull cutter when the rifling was cut. I have seen this all the time when a dull cutter or broach is used.

You have two choices if it is bothering you.
  1. Return the pistol to the manufacturer
  2. Shoot some rounds with a little cast of lapping compound
  3. Just shoot the snot out of it and check for barrel leading.

If it is actually pitting then that does need to be addressed by the manufacturer.
 
No but I did examine a used SW 642 when looking for one for my wife. Very good price too! Every where looked brand new
Except barrel.
Barrel had NO rifling in it! Really?
Did SW make a smooth bore 642?
 
Agreed with some others here to shoot it first. If it’s accurate and reliable don’t sweat it. Repeat and if you get the same, clean it, lube it, load it, don’t let it bother you. If the pistol proves acceptable trustworthiness I wouldn't mess (sending it back) with it. Ymmv…
 
vzenmn said:
Currently deciding whether to go to the range tomorrow to see how it shoots
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This isn't bullseye, and you aren't Jerry.

It'll shoot like a pocket pistol, by which I mean most of the dispersion will be due to your inability to shoot a tiny, short gun, with teensie sights, and a spectacularly crap trigger That's ok, nobody shoots tiny guns well.

I have an LC9 that looks like it was stored in a damp gym bag hidden in a box of salt. . . and I still shoot it as well as the others subcompact patrols I've handled, rusty barrel and all.
 
Your gun, your call. I agree with edwareware above as I don't see it as big issue. Just for fun, I'd use some lapping compound on a patch and check every 2-3 passes to see what it looks like. For me, that's a better option than messing with sending it in. Even if Ruger wants me to.
 
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