10-8 - Smooth Barrel

[SAWMAN]

I came across an interesting 10-8 I thought I would share.
I'm assuming it's a factory mistake... The barrel is perfectly smooth - no rifling

[Dale53]

Wow!! I'll be that one doesn't shoot bullets very well.

It is also in violation of the 1968 Gun Control law (no smooth barrels allowed in short guns). It would be interesting to see how well it shoots shot (again, a violation of Federal Law).

I would immediately call Smith and forward them the pictures. I suspect that they will immediately offer to send you a shipping label to correct the issue.

FWIW
Dale53

[photoman]

That is interesting. Technically speaking, it's a short barrel shotgun.

[ken158]

Interesting that it appears to have been fired. What is the history / story on this gun?

[SAWMAN]

A lady I work with father, her passed away and she brought a couple guns in for me to look at. She was wanting some rough ideas on value... The guns had been stored for extended period of time in holsters and the finish it a little tarnished.... I had a big surprise when I looked down the barrel.

What I think is interesting is the fact the bore is mirror smooth... Calipers put the bore diameter undersized at 0.345 inches

[TAROMAN]

Now listen for the sound of circling black helicopters!

[nipster]

S&W most likely isnt going to help you considering it was made 20-30 years ago.

I would imagine it did not leave the factory that way, as S&W isnt in the business of making NFA revolvers, and I find it hard to believe something like that could have made it out of the factory.

I dont have a suggestion to you as far as what to do at this point. Since you know what it is now, you cant even sell it to someone.

[OFT II]

The front of the cylinder looks like it has been shot. Maybe the owner just put it up when he found that it wasn't very accurate.

[srgvaz]

Originally Posted by SAWMAN

interesting rifling

nice photo shop attempt.

[2hawk]

My local dealer told me he sold a new Ruger .357 to guy who brought it back because it didn't shoot very well. Same thing, no rifling. Apparently they do get out the door once in awhile.

[red9]

With a .345" hole in it, it had to leave the factory that way. I remember years ago seeing a Colt Python that was putting the bullets through the target sideways. Same thing! Even though it is an older gun, it was S&W that manufacured and shipped (unintentionally) an illegal firearm. I wold expect them to be willing to replace, or at least rebarrel, the gun at no charge.

Bob

[lebomm]

Clearly, that barrel got drilled, then lapped, but never got rifled. Not much chance that happened after manufacture, so S&W should fix their mistake. (They SHOULD - whether they will or not remains to be seen)

Larry

[SAWMAN]

For clarification purposes, let me reiterate, I did NOT purchase this gun. A coworkers father who passed away owned it and she doesn't know anything about firearms.
Given all barrel markings and undersized bore, it is clearly a factory mistake. I did advise her that I feel certain s&w would correct the problem for her in order to 'legally' sell it.
It was just first s&w I've ever seen that had it and thought it would be an interesting factory mistake to share with the knowledgeable members of this forum

[M29since14]

That is unusual, but not unheard of, in my experience. I have seen a Chief's Special like that and a Model 10, I think. We didn't bother to measure the bores but your measurement of 0.345" corresponds closely to a factory "range rod," which someone once told me is 0.3446" -.0002".

I feel sure S&W will fix that. Just have the owner call and explain the situation. Can't see it being a big deal.

[ladder13]

I'll take it! ..............................................................j/k

[KarmannGhia]

I think Smith and Wesson will make it right.

I purchased a used semi auto rifle (another manufacturer), took it to my Dept's range and it went full auto (in front of a dozen other officers) on my first time out. The next day, I was back at the LGS and explaining my "problem". I told them I could send it back myself, but I wanted them to do it so I had a rock solid paper trail because I needed to "CYA". The LGS sent it back and it was made right.

I hated to have to do it, but, I'm too pretty for jail

[deralte]

Sawman, welcome from North Carolina.

[nipster]

Originally Posted by KarmannGhia

I think Smith and Wesson will make it right.

I purchased a used semi auto rifle (another manufacturer), took it to my Dept's range and it went full auto (in front of a dozen other officers) on my first time out. The next day, I was back at the LGS and explaining my "problem". I told them I could send it back myself, but I wanted them to do it so I had a rock solid paper trail because I needed to "CYA". The LGS sent it back and it was made right.

I hated to have to do it, but, I'm too pretty for jail

Yes, but that was a new gun, not something manufactured 20+ years ago, and has had god knows how many owners.

I honestly dont know what S&W would do, but it wouldnt surprise me if they did nothing. They would have when it was new, but not 20+ years after the fact.

[photoman]

Originally Posted by TAROMAN

Now listen for the sound of circling black helicopters!

Wop wop wop wop wop wop wop... Here they come!

[DGNY]

Purely a guess, but I think S&W will be happy to fix this with a new barrel. Thanks for sharing this oddity.

Regards,

Dyson