I have a photograph of a fine old K-38 with 11 of 12 bullets lodged in the barrel which was returned to S&W, sectioned, photographed and sent back to the complainant (who had returned it saying that it was no good because he couldn't hit anything with it). The bullet at the muzzle had fallen out and they were from commercial .38 special, mid-range ammo. Although this event happened years ago I am still amazed that the shooter wasn't aware of the unusual recoil, noise or lack of weight change/shift or visual signature. I would think that the propellant gasses leaking out the cylinder-barrel gap would make an unmistakeably unique sound.