I own a Model 66-2 with a 4 inch barrel and noticed a hairline crack at the barrel muzzle after a detailed cleaning. Has anyone seen this before or know what would cause this? The revolver is otherwise in perfect condition. Is it unsafe and besides a replacement barrel, is it repairable?

Thanks

Attached Images

66-2 damage..jpg (76.4 KB, 423 views)

Looks like a flaw in the steel.
I'd call S&W Customer Service and send them the picture to see what they can do.

Agree, I would not shoot this one.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

See if you can convince them to make it a 3 inch gun.

What are the chances they'll want to replace it with a 66-8?

Welcome! The factory no longer carries parts of this era for a model 66, and this gun pre-dates the lifetime warranty, so I think your best bet is to buy a replacement barrel and have it fitted. Posting a Wanted to Buy ad here will probably find you one. Sorry for your troubles.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Another option would be to find a gunsmith who could cut the barrel back about 1/8 inch or so and re-crown the end.

I would like to know what may have caused that.

Bad news is as others have stated S&W will most likely not have a replacement barrel for your 66-2,
Good news is they pop up for sale occasionally for around $150 and IIRC an ad posted within the last year with several for sale with little interest so that seller may still have one for sale if you dont find one on the net.

Bad news is S&W charges around $150 to do the swap so your looking at least a $300 repair and your frame could crack during the swap making your gun a paperweight.
Good news is S&W may comp the swap if you provide the replacement barrel.......or they may not which would be not so good news.

BTW the Model 66 was introduced with a FS ramp that is part of the barrel so moving the FS ramp back is not an easy job as it would require cutting the old ramp off the barrel then welding it back to onto the barrel rib.......No further good news is anticipated

That does not look like a crack to me. a crack usually will not split off as this has in a few spots. Are you sure that you did not get blue locktight on the muzzle. Try polishing this area or use a scothbrite pad, and see if this comes off.

I'm all for eternal optimism in the face of bad news, but that is definitely a crack...

Contact Dave Clements or Ham Bowen or other custom smiths to see if thy have some take off barrels!If they have one they can also install it.

Cutting the barrel shorter is an option, but I would worry about whatever defect that caused the original crack to be present throughout the entire barrel length.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

What does the other guy look like? Must be more than just a bruise?

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S&WHF 366

Looks like it is from an inclusion. Basically a bad spot in the original billet of steel that it was forged from. Fairly rare, but, I have seen thing like this even in the high end German steel I use to make knife blades.

Looks almost like the edge of a puddle. Would also be inclined to think inclusion or an odd corrosion boundary. Would be interested to see what a bit of file work would reveal. If it's a localized corrosion boundary it might not be all that deep. An inclusion could be very extensive, though!

I probably have 5 or 6 take-off SS barrels for the M 66. PM me if you want to talk about one. Where are you located? A pistolsmith equipped with the correct tools should replace the old with a new in under an hour. .........

Update
First, many thanks for everyone's advice. Second, the revolver was sent to S&W for evaluation/repair. I was told it would take 3 weeks for a repair quote, then if repairable, up to 3 months to repair. I believe warranty repairs take priority. I also obtained a replacement barrel in case S&W does not have one.