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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 10-04-2016, 07:50 AM
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Default Barrel detail - 1942 DSC M&P

Upon giving my newly acquired 1942 M&P a thorough cleaning I noticed an irregularity to the top of the barrel just aft of the front sight. My first thought was "Oh no - someone fired a second round into a lodged squib!!!" I inspected the bore and found no irregularity there , in fact the bore is excellent. Then I got smart and looked closely at the inscriptions on the barrel top , thinking there must be a clue there. The letters on the raised surface are clearly much deeper than those which follow , indicating that the irregularity was in place prior to the stamping process , as opposed to the "bulge" having occurred after manufacturing and stamping were complete. An acceptable flaw during War time production.

No squib.

I do not know enough about the manufacturing process to understand how this came about. I do know that finish detail was not a priority during the War , as evidenced by the milling marks which are clearly evident. Reminds me of my P.38 German pistols , lots of milling marks.

Explanation will be appreciated.
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Old 10-04-2016, 08:51 AM
BibleronKJV BibleronKJV is offline
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I have noted "bulges" on the barrels of some of my Victories, but have come to realize that they are only the result of relaxed production standards during the war. Nothing to be concerned about. Yours looks like a nice example. Ron
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Old 10-04-2016, 08:59 AM
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I'd agree it's just an inconsequential manufacturing defect.
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Old 10-04-2016, 09:11 AM
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Agreed Ron. I ceased to be concerned when I realized that the flaw is original to the manufacturing process. I remain curious as to the machining procedure by which the barrel is shaped , and how such a flaw results.
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Old 10-04-2016, 10:37 AM
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The barrels started as a forging, then were milled to achieve the contours and leave the front sight and base and the lug for the ejector rod. The bore was then drilled and reamed, then rifled and the rear end turned in a lathe then threaded, and the hole for the front locking bolt and spring was drilled, as well as the hole for the cross pin that retains the locking bolt. After those operations, the roll marks were placed on the barrels. The final operation would have been polishing the barrels on large contoured buffing wheels prior to bluing. I have several barrels that are unpolished and in the white and they have uneven places on them where the machining operations changed directions. On peacetime production, the uneven places aren't so great and would have been polished smooth during the polishing step(s). I base the above on my machining experience and observations rather than any specific knowledge of the S&W process.
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Old 10-04-2016, 11:20 AM
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During the war, barrels passed final inspection which would never have made it in peacetime.

Note the very noticable "bulge" on the BSR in the attached picture, to the left of the caliber stamping near the root of the barrel. It is very pronounced. After having it looked at by two gunsmiths just to be sure, the judgment was that nothing traumatic ever happened inside; the bore is just fine. It's just uneven outside shaping.
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Old 10-04-2016, 12:17 PM
BibleronKJV BibleronKJV is offline
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I've had several Victories that show a similar "bulge" as in Absalom's photo and I was worried at first until I examined the bore which showed no abnormalities. I guess that anything can happen when hurried production is necessary. Ron
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Old 03-06-2017, 09:15 AM
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Join the club. I was concerned until I realized that the roll mark was applied AFTER the bulge was left in place during manufacturing.

Adds character , along with the milling marks on the trigger guard.

Edit - Sorry , I screwed up --- this should have been posted in the thread started by Alvin50.
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Old 03-06-2017, 10:31 AM
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How about some examples of the grip frames on the Victory or BSRs. I am guessing they had relaxed standards as well.
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Old 09-14-2020, 10:05 PM
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Another Bulbous Barrel ---
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