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

[wcwhitey]

It happens, mechanical devices and Murphy’s Law. In the upside that is gonna be sweet as a 6” revolver.

 

[Riomouse911]

Not sure this has been mentioned before but with todays pricing how about selling it and disclosing the bulge????

Depending on the cost and/or availability for a good ‘Smith to perform the job, this certainly will be an option. I’ll most likely end up taking a bath on it, but at least it’ll no longer be my concern.

I have reached out to one guy so far, I’ll see what the landscape looks like.

Stay safe.

 

[Riomouse911]

I did call the seller, and as I figured it was a third party consignment. I even looked at the original posted pics on GB and I can see a change in the reflection in the light along the barrel. (Because it’s a picture of the screen it’s not great.) These shots are not side-on with while light reflecting like mine so it’s pretty faint and nowhere as noticeable as the muzzle-on shot I took... but it’s there (In the second and fourth ones, the change in the reflection is exactly where the bulge is located).






I told the seller that I certainly wouldn’t have paid what I did for a gun that had previously been damaged and the cost to fix with a barrel swap or shortening will be an additional $250 -$300 bucks.

I also told the seller that I can’t blame him since this wasn’t super obvious, he had to rely on the honor of the consigner to disclose previous damage known to them. I did mention that his reputation as a seller can be hurt by these things and to check all guns coming in with a fine tooth comb. I certainly have learned an expensive lesson with this one; even the most prefect looking specimen may have a flaw. I will be sure to give any gun I buy the microscope-exam treatment the instant I first see it at my receiving FFL’s location, before I start any 4473 paperwork.

The seller said he’ll contact the consigner to see if he will work with me, but I doubt the co-signer is going to own up to the existing damage... so I’m not holding my breath.

Again, just sharing a disappointing situation to help educate us all. I am hoping the result is we are a bit more vigilant so it doesn’t happen to one of us in the future.

Thanks for the above advice and suggestions. I’m hoping the barrel can be cut down, since it’s not going to work as-is, or if not I’ll send it along at a loss with a disclosure about the bulge.

Stay safe.

 

[vintovka]

Tough to be objective with a new toy. Due to human nature, buyers rarely see even moderate flaws and often see only what they want. In a store, busy or not, its also tough. All the paperwork does not help.

Whenever possible try to inspect objectively and calmly on basis of mechanical function and close inspection of all visible parts. Tough to do standing at counter but best done sitting The sound of the action, how smoothly it operates and most importantly checking for defects. My mentor, Hal Sharon, checked barrels by looking not only down a clean bore but running fingers up and down exterior. It is still not enough to discover all flaws. Buying off net prevents you from doing anything like this.

 

[Davenest]

Sorry to hear. My late mentor barrel maker (Hal Sharon) taught me long ago to both run fingers down barrel to feel for defects and examine them for same. Squibs and those inclined to press muzzle against something and pull trigger often the cause. I used to rebarrel revolvers enough to know its easy with right tools and often a disaster without. Setting/indexing frame to barrel and setting Cyl gap is tricky Sometimes adding something exotic can help ease the pain. Once added a 10" octagon to a minty NM Blackhawk (200th year) with "Held to tree" bulge!! Actually made it into real neat and rifle accurate shooter.

Tough to be objective with a new toy. Due to human nature, buyers rarely see even moderate flaws and often see only what they want. In a store, busy or not, its also tough. All the paperwork does not help.

Whenever possible try to inspect objectively and calmly on basis of mechanical function and close inspection of all visible parts. Tough to do standing at counter but best done sitting The sound of the action, how smoothly it operates and most importantly checking for defects. My mentor, Hal Sharon, checked barrels by looking not only down a clean bore but running fingers up and down exterior. It is still not enough to discover all flaws. Buying off net prevents you from doing anything like this.

 

[Waveski]

If I were in your shoes my first choice would be to void the deal , which you have the right to do. A bulged barrel is quite significant , and should have been disclosed.
If the seller is not willing to step up , then be as vocal as you can in feedback on the site.

Moving on , I can tell you , based on personal experience , that a 5" .38 is a joy to shoot. You stated that you have a 4" and a 6" ; that is the route I'd take.

Good luck , and please keep us posted.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

I'm tempted to make my K frame into a 5" .38 like this one. That looks gorgeous!

 

[GooseGestapo]

Try some hollow base 148gr wad cutters.

I’ve got a Model 10 PPC revolver with a Shilen barrel and Mascot rib. In 1996, I won the Master class at the Nationals with it.
It has a bulge in the barrel from “shooting” out a squib. (Match 1, 7yds in a Regional!, still placed in top 3!). It’ll still shoot a clean Match 3 (24rds at 50yds into 10ring).
It won’t do that with a DEWC. However it will hold the 10ring at 25yds. I just shot HBWC at 50yds in matches.

Most people would be happy with your 12yd groups.


There is someone selling “torched” , cut down guns court ordered destroyed for parts. You could try one of those. However, I tried to buy a Taurus M76 .32S&WL. Someone bid it up above what I was willing to invest. I believe they were doing so for GunParts Corp for parts. It went for 90% of what an intact gun would!
The next week, GPC had the parts In stock! I only wanted the trigger and maybe cylinder.

In 1998, S&W swapped me the labor and a matte blue for my 6” pencil barrel off a Model 14 6” that I had them install a 4” HB on.
Even 25yrs ago, those barrels were not available.
I feel your pain!

 

[Jim Watson]

I agree, it is on the seller, he should take it back and return your money. Let him hash it out with the consigner who was dumping a defective barrel.

Failing that, a 5" Smith is a cult object second only to a 3" and a handy shooter. Or just to be difficult 4.75" or 5.5" like The Other Guys.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Failing that [...] just to be difficult 4.75" or 5.5' like The Other Guys.

Aw, heck, just go full-on sarcastic mode and have a custom, vent-rib 4" barrel made for it with "Boomslang" scrawled on one side in fancy block letters.

NB: The "boomslang" (Dispholidus typus) is one of the most dangerous venomous snakes on the African continent. It hunts by extending the forward part of its body motionless from a tree, mimicking a dead branch. It delivers its venom like a Coral snake, by chewing on its victim until the victim succumbs to the toxins.

 

[ThomasT]

NB: The "boomslang" (Dispholidus typus) is one of the most dangerous venomous snakes on the African continent. It hunts by extending the forward part of its body motionless from a tree, mimicking a dead branch. It delivers its venom like a Coral snake, by chewing on its victim until the victim succumbs to the toxins.

And just for fun a Boomslang was the snake used in a Steven King story about a man bit on a Golf Course looking for his ball in the tall grass. He was about to be autopsied when another doctor rushed in and stopped the operation.

In the OPs position I would want at least a partial refund and then I would just cut and crown the barrel and install a new front sight. I always run my fingers down a revolver barrel before I buy it but then on an internet deal thats not possible. And you can have an internal bulge and not find it without a tight fitting patch.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/903931145