I got a big ole problem and I need some creative help.

Bought an early pre-18 on gunbroker from seller allstar last year. It was nice, in the right gold box, near new condition, K106xxx. grips perfect, high shouldered but not numbered. Just a little blue wear at the end of the bbl on each side. Really nice ... did I mention the bulge in the bbl? Well neither did Mr. Allstar. I went thru 7 months of a dispute and ended up more frustrated with Gunbroker than with the seller. those folks don't know what a bulged barrel is nor how it gets that way.

So here I am a yr later and seeing all these posts on pre-18's. Wondering what to do with this thing. The bulge is between the half lug on the bbl and the pins for the frt sight ramp. What would you do? I'll get some pics up shortly.

Make a 3 1/4" Combat Masterpiece.
Sleeve it.
find another 4 " bbl ???
other suggestions ?


Charlie

pics

The tape in the last pics covers the area of the bulge.

Interesting challenge. I have been told that bulged barrels can be repaired, but I'm not sure what's involved in making that happen.

If the gun still shoots accurately, I think I'd leave it alone. If there are accuracy problems, I think I would try to find a replacement barrel in good shape and of the same era; that maximizes the chance that the finish of frame and barrel would be a reasonable match.

With the replacement four-inch barrel on the gun, I would cut the original barrel to do away with the bulge, recrown the muzzle, and move the sight back on the rib.Then you have an interesting modification to an original part that could go forward with the gun if you choose to sell it in the future.

I guess I'm suggesting you pursue both of the options you presented.

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David Wilson

Charlie,

First I empathize with you about both issues.

1st: auction sites are notoriously poor or just plain useless in dispute settlement for the buyer. Although I have not had a problem with Gunbroker personally, other buyers have and I've been frustrated with two other sites. I get beyond it by appreciating all the great 'finds' on-line that I would not otherwise have. Personally speaking, the only fair result for your situation would have been an option to return gun with no shipping costs to you or a reduction in price; your choice. Also disclose Mr. Allstar's identity here on the Forum; check the rules first.

2nd: My decision of what to do with it would depend on if I bought it to put it away or to shoot.
My options, some like David's, would include searching for a correct vintage barrel and if found, would send it back to S&W to replace and restamp the serial # on it as they used to do in the time period of your gun. It would be date stamped as factory work. That would be the least loss in value if you were to resell it (with full disclosure of course). Then keep it or resell it. And resell the barrel, shortened or not to recoup some of the cost.

Shoot as is if you bought it to shoot and accuracy is not affected (it's usually not).

Shorten the barrel professionally (maybe S&W would do it) and shoot it. It will be a unique and handy carry gun. Keep or resell. I for one wouldn't hesitate to buy a unique barrel length done by the factory.

Resell as is with full disclosure on Gunbroker with the whole ugly story and original seller's store name. Take the loss if not too great. If it is too great, go back to one of the options above.

Just MHO for what it's worth. Pls let us know what you decide.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I'm with the others in that if it shoots accurately,don't worry about it. BTW,how does it shoot?
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Man, I'd hate to cut the barrel back.
As the others have said, cut your losses & don't put more money in it than you already have.
First rule of "Hole" is when you find yourself in one, stop digging.
Anytime I've pursued a dispute over a gun it never worked out, and I had more time in the chase than it was worth. If you want rid of it the full disclosure route is the way to go and then move on to the next deal.

I bought a pristine Mod 17.... until I took the grips off and saw the rust and pits. Paid 5 and sold it to a buddy sans grips so he could see what I didn't. I lost a hundred bucks but I didn't want to look at my mistake anymore and he wanted the gun.


It really doesn't look bad but I sympathize with the deal gone bad situation.

GF

You're screwed. But you already knew that.

No good answer. If you cut the barrel you have a weird and unattractive gun. I could not leave it alone regardless of how well it performed (some shoot OK with a bulge, the one revolver I had that was thus damaged did not) because i can't stand this sort of defect.

Whatever you do will cost money (even finding the seller and shoving it up his *** will cost a plane ticket). I would find another barrel and make the gun whole, again. It would no longer be all original but it would be a complete and functioning revolver.

I sympathize with you as well....it's easy to use hindsight in this situation but that option is gone...same state seller you could small claim him just on the principle of the undisclosed defect. You didn't mention if it shoots well or not which would be a determining factor in keeping it for me.

My limited experience with bulged barrels is lead collects at the front of of the bulge and ends up affecting accuracy sooner than later. Plus like Saxon said it would probably bug me just knowing it was there. My opinion...cut your losses with disclosure and move on. Sometimes standing on principle gets pretty expensive. And frustration usually comes at a too high price.

I am wondering how a .22 barrel got bulged, especially that close to the muzzle. I am with others, it would bother me knowing it was there. I don't know what you paid but one option might be to part it out, sell the box and grips and sell the gun as a shooter with disclosure, if you could recoup your investment that way.

I posted I would fix it assuming you wanted to shoot it. If you wanted a safe queen then sell it and take the loss.

Thanks for the suggestions thus far. To answer some of your questions :
I have not shot it, suppose its time. Did not want to shoot it while the dispute was on going, and after dealing with Gunbroker, I didn't even want to look at it. so I'll try to get out this weekend and see how she shoots.

I have heard vague tales of "fixing" a bulge, but nothing concrete. Anyone have a lead on this? Anyone sleeve a 22 revolver bbl? I had a Win mod 90 sleeved and it turned out nice ... not like an original, but pretty close.

I think I would be more content with a chopped bbl done right than a bulged one. It looks like a 3/4" cut would leave all the lettering intact, and not get into the lug. Hopefully the front sight ramp & blade could be reused. But I may just sell it as is with disclosure and hope to get my money back. Anybody need a project?

Mack, most 22 bbl's get bulged from a bullet stuck in the bbl, followed by a second one at full speed. Seems like it would just push it out since there is a lot of steel surrounding the bore on a 22 bbl, but bulge it will. The stuck bullet is likely from a cartridge that had priming compound but no powder.

thanks again for your suggestions.

Charlie

Sorry for your situation, Charlie.

If you do decide to replace the barrel, I'd be interested in buying your bulged barrel as long as it included the front sight.

I'm in need of a front sight for my pre 18 and haven't had any luck finding one.

Kind of off topic here, but when I received a damaged 14-4 from a seller on GB and he didnt want to make it right, I told him I would call the ATF station Chief in his major City, no one wants a ATF person coming into there gunstore. He sent me a Money Order next day, for what it is worth..........

I would say, right on topic and an excellent solution!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I'll take the entire package if you decide to rid yourself!

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

Charlie: Here's a thought for what it's worth. It may be possible, with the aid of a small hydraulic press and someone who is proficient with metal, to return the barrel to it's original form. Pressure blocks, made from brass, can be concaved to fit the curve of the barrel and equal pressure applied from 4 positions at the same time. It may be worth while to have a few seasoned gunsmiths have a look see.

If the gunsmiths are unable to repair the barrel, you may get lucky and find a correct replacement. But the cost of replacing the barrel may exceed the cost of upgrading. I'd be tempted to disclose the bulge and take a run at selling it the way it is, add some money, and buy another one.

Rod

Can you see any sign of a ring inside the barrel too?

I have a 6" 686 no dash with a barrel bulge. I can't detect it by looking at the exterior of the barrel, and there is no sign of any ring inside of it. But when I push a fairly tight patch down the barrel, you can feel it get easier to push in the same spot each time. If the revolver was mine, I would do this patch test next, to see if I could also feel it in this way. Looks like it should be easier to push a patch down the first inch or less, then it should get tighter.

In my case it does not have any effect on the accuracy, and so I don't worry about it at all.

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Geoff. Since 1960.

Not going to make it to the range this weekend.

Redbos, I threatened the ATF thing in round 3 of negotiations. He shipped it thru a pawn shop FFL, and I knew this guy made a whopping $25 on it. Just couldn't make the call.

The hydraulic press idea is a good one for a completely round profile bbl, but I think the rib would be a problem. 2 yrs ago, I located a 4" two pin early bbl in 97" condition. It may still be available, but it was $140 plus having it installed, and like some advised, I just didn't want to put more money in it.

I like the sell it on gunbroker idea, with full disclosure, including original seller's name and just how well GB's buyer protection program works.

Charlie

Follow up -

While at Hickory gun show picking up the K956 K22, I sold the pre 18 with bulged bbl to a dealer that had some nice S&W's on his table. He appreciated the value of the box and the high shouldered unnumbered mint grips, and bought the whole package for almost what I had in it.

After telling him I wouldn't take a penny less than $731.50, he offered $731.49 and I jumped on it. I even let him slide on the $1.49.

So off it goes ... hope I never see it again, ever. And if you see a 4" Combat Masterpiece #k106xxx for sale, you might want to check that bbl.


Charlie

I love a happy ending!
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

I like a happy ending too.........BUT.........I would have shot it first to see if it had any effect on accuracy before kicking up all the dust.

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S&W Accumulator

Hey Mike

All I needed to know is that there was a big ole shadow in the bore, and the *OB knew it when he sold it to me.

If it would have shot lights out, I wouldn't have kept it. But I do understand where you're coming from.


Happy camper Charlie