Damaged Barrel for 64-6

[luzyfuerza]

I'm a sucker for older K frames, and I'm generally not afraid of taking on a project and doing some basic gunsmithing myself if necessary.

So, I recently bought a used "police return" 4" 64-6. The action and cylinder are just fine, but the barrel is trashed. The rifling is only sharp at the muzzle (almost non-existent at the forcing cone) and it is bulged in the middle. Grrrr.

I haven't shot it yet however.

I've thought about buying an ebay 4" barrel and installing it myself. Or having someone rebarrel it to 3".

Selling it, with disclosure, is an option, too.

What would you do?

 

[JohnKSa]

The bulge may not be a practical issue. As far as the rifling issue goes, have you verified that it's not leading? I've seen more than one gun owner fooled by a lead buildup into thinking that the rifling was worn away when it was actually fine. I figure you checked, but it was worth mentioning.

 

[luzyfuerza]

That was my first thought, too. I ran a Lewis tool through several times. Not a speck of lead showed up on the mesh.

I have never seen a "shot-out" .38 special barrel. If it didn't come that way from the factory, I can't imagine how the rifling could be worn away using regular ammo.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Is the bulge in front of the ejector lug? If so, I would bob it just before the bulge and make it a close-range carry gun.
If not, Id probably rebarrel.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

That was my first thought, too. I ran a Lewis tool through several times. Not a speck of lead showed up on the mesh.

I have never seen a "shot-out" .38 special barrel. If it didn't come that way from the factory, I can't imagine how the rifling could be worn away using regular ammo.

Over-cleaning maybe.

 

[JohnKSa]

How does it shoot?

 

[luzyfuerza]

I'm going to shoot it for the first time this morning.

I'll also put a few rounds downrange at distance...looking for any sideways impacts.

 

[StrawHat]

Barrels for K frames are not scarce or even rare. And not too pricey. If it truly is trashed, a new barrel will give it new life. A Model 64 is not hard to rebarrel, if you have the correct tools. With the right tools, it could get messy.

Kevin

 

[luzyfuerza]

Talk about over-thinking things. This barrel definitely looks lousy, but this is how it shot Saturday:

With 158 grain LSWC reloads



And with 125 grain JHP reloads




Six shots, ten yards, hands (not gun) supported, single action. Shooting into the sun. Green target circle is 2" in diameter.

From 35 yards, not a single sideways impact.

I'll never forget...its not how it looks...its how it shoots.

 

[jar]

Good 'nuff I'd say.

 

[Riomouse911]

I had an 8 3-8” Model 14-3 with a bulged barrel that shot groups at least four times that size, so it got lopped off at 5” and now shoots great.

That old Model 64 looks to be in a pretty good zone, as the others said I would just clean it up and leave it be.

Stay safe.

 

[MrBorland]

Six shots, ten yards, hands (not gun) supported, single action. Shooting into the sun. Green target circle is 2" in diameter.

From 35 yards, not a single sideways impact

Better than one would expect, but tough to know if it’d improve with a barrel swap. You’re “a sucker for older K frames”, so if you’ve got a “reference” K-frame around, I’d repeat the test, but include the reference K frame with the same ammo.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I'm skeptical of shot-out revo barrels as well, but that thing shoots pretty straight regardless. Like luzyferza, love old Ks; how does the thing look? I've some pretty 64s, one at least was a cop gun. They clean up pretty nice. Old Ks need a loving home.
Moon

 

[luzyfuerza]

if you’ve got a “reference” K-frame around, I’d repeat the test, but include the reference K frame with the same ammo.

This newest acquisition has seen some rounds down the pipe. And it has the scratches and scuffs to suggest its been in a scrape or two.

Kind of like its new owner, I reckon.

@MrBorland , great idea...I do have some prettier guns that haven't been out to play for a while. I wonder how they'll do compared to this old-timer!

 

[halfmoonclip]

Barrels for K frames are not scarce or even rare. And not too pricey. If it truly is trashed, a new barrel will give it new life. A Model 64 is not hard to rebarrel, if you have the correct tools. With the right tools, it could get messy.

Numrich, and others, do seem to have a stock of parted out Smiths. But it does beg the question, if it ain't broke, why screw with it?
Not sure what yinz boys deal with as regarding pistolsmiths. I've belatedly found one only an hour away, but really good gunsmiths, let alone ones who'll work on revolvers, are pretty thin on the ground.
Moon

 

[ECVMatt]

That is an awesome outcome! Great gun that shoots great groups, what not to like.

Congratulations!

 

[Tallball]

I have a M&P from around 1916. In case you've never seen 1% finish, here's a bad picture. The rifling is very worn. It's the only revolver I've ever seen with that kind of wear. Unlike the OP's, the accuracy is unimpressive. Still goes bang every time.

Smith And Wesson Pre Model 10

• Tallball
• Dec 14, 2018

 

[.38 Special]

Talk about over-thinking things. This barrel definitely looks lousy, but this is how it shot Saturday:

With 158 grain LSWC reloads

View attachment 1179705

And with 125 grain JHP reloads

View attachment 1179706


Six shots, ten yards, hands (not gun) supported, single action. Shooting into the sun. Green target circle is 2" in diameter.

From 35 yards, not a single sideways impact.

I'll never forget...its not how it looks...its how it shoots.

One of my personal rules is to never write off a gun based solely on inspection, unless the thing is obviously unsafe. I'm glad you found a good one!