Barrel/Frame Gap

[Dr. Dingus]

How common is it to have a small gap between the barrel and frame at this location specifically? I should state that this isn't my gun, since it is currently in storage/I am at work. So I took a picture of my friends gun with a similar, but smaller gap.

Thanks for the input!

 

[.38 Special]

It's very common and is almost never anything to worry about.

 

[Dr. Dingus]

It's very common and is almost never anything to worry about.

Okay, that makes me feel better. As unsightly as it can be, at least there is no gap on the top of the barrel/frame.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

A little unsightly but nothing serious to worry about unless you happen to be selling it to a collector.

I'd be a little surprised it left S&W that way -- unless it was made on a Friday, QC should have caught it.

You say this isn't the actual gun in the photo. On the original piece, are there any signs that the barrel has been set back a turn at some point?

 

[dfariswheel]

The slight gap between the barrel shroud and the frame was deliberately done to prevent the shroud from scraping the front of the frame during barrel installation.
The width of the gap can vary from rather unsightly to almost imperceptible.

Newer Colt's and S&W's sometimes have a gap between the entire barrel and frame.

 

[Mizar]

The slight gap between the barrel shroud and the frame was deliberately done to prevent the shroud from scraping the front of the frame during barrel installation.

This.
Revolver barrels are (usually) threaded and turned into the frame, so such a small gap is a must - count it as an engineering solution.

 

[Dr. Dingus]

A little unsightly but nothing serious to worry about unless you happen to be selling it to a collector.

I'd be a little surprised it left S&W that way -- unless it was made on a Friday, QC should have caught it.

You say this isn't the actual gun in the photo. On the original piece, are there any signs that the barrel has been set back a turn at some point?

Not that I can tell.