Riomouse911
Member
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.
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.
#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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
Stay safe.
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.
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.
#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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
Stay safe.