Help with 29-2 loose barrel !

[Tritonman92587]

So I recently picked up a really nice 29-2 nickel 8 3/8 44 mag ,later that evening when wiping it down before storing in the safe I noticed where the barrel screw into the frame there was quite a large gap, after closer inspection the barrel was canted and I am able to turn the barrel just a small amount either direction before what I'm guessing is the pin stops the movement , I measured the gap with a old scale I had handy and check the thickness with a micrometer and on the top right edge it is every bit of 20 thousands, has anyone ever ran across this or know if it can be repaired without damaging the original nickel finish?

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Protocall_Design]

Looks like you just need to knock the pin out, turn it one more turn, then put the pin back in. You will need to use a padded vise for the barrel and a frame wrench for the frame. It seems likely you don't have the tools. A trip to a local revo smith would have you fixed up in 15 or 20 minutes.

 

[Tritonman92587]

Looks like you just need to knock the pin out, turn it one more turn, then put the pin back in. You will need to use a padded vise for the barrel and a frame wrench for the frame. It seems likely you don't have the tools. A trip to a local revo smith would have you fixed up in 15 or 20 minutes.

10-4 so is this something that happens on occasion? What would cause this to happen ? Thanks for you help I appreciate it !

 

[Protocall_Design]

Someone did not assemble it correctly to begin with. This may be a situation where someone wanted a different barrel length than the original, but this barrel was too tight with one more turn. It may need to have the shoulder turned back a few thou. to fit properly, then maybe the cylinder gap reset. It seems like a daunting task, but it's really a minor thing for someone with the tools and knowledge. Just an everyday deal for a good gunsmith.

 

[jack the toad]

Just curious but have or can you measure cylinder/barrel gap?
Might post a pic also...

 

[Tritonman92587]

Someone did not assemble it correctly to begin with. This may be a situation where someone wanted a different barrel length than the original, but this barrel was too tight with one more turn. It may need to have the shoulder turned back a few thou. to fit properly, then maybe the cylinder gap reset. It seems like a daunting task, but it's really a minor thing for someone with the tools and knowledge. Just an everyday deal for a good gunsmith.

Thanks for the reasurrement I was worried it was ruined , I owned this gun just a few months ago it was not in this condition so I don't believe the barrel has ever been removed , I sold it to a friend who wound up needing some cash so I bought it back and found the issue then

 

[Tritonman92587]

Just curious but have or can you measure cylinder/barrel gap?
Might post a pic also...

This scale I have is tight in the b/c gap and it mics at .020

 

[steelslaver]

Should be about .005+or. One complete turn is..027777

 

[StrawHat]

...A trip to a local revo smith would have you fixed up in 15 or 20 minutes...

Thank you, I needed a good laugh. There is no such thing around here but a one hour drive gets me to a great one. Not local but great.

Kevin

 

[Dieseltech56]

Wow that is not a very good friend

 

[Protocall_Design]

Kind of what I was thinking...

 

[jack the toad]

Not to be a smartazz or restate the obvious but someone has removed or attempted to remove the barrel. Appears your friend or someone else is a kitchen table, shade tree gunsmith and my question would be why did he do it? If my friend, I'd ask him.
Also, unless you own, can rent/borrow or plan to buy a new frame wrench at $100+, I'd take or send it to someone that does and is competent.
ETA:
Not any help for problem at hand... and not to pre-judge or make unfounded accusations, but my suspicious mind thinks that not only did your friend need cash, but also to unload a problem firearm he'd created.

 

[Tritonman92587]

Not to be a smartazz or restate the obvious but someone has removed or attempted to remove the barrel. Appears your friend or someone else is a kitchen table, shade tree gunsmith and my question would be why did he do it? If my friend, I'd ask him.
Also, unless you own, can rent/borrow or plan to buy a new frame wrench at $100+, I'd take or send it to someone that does and is competent.
ETA:
Not any help for problem at hand... and not to pre-judge or make unfounded accusations, but my suspicious mind thinks that not only did your friend need cash, but also to unload a problem firearm he'd created.

He says he didn't notice the issue or never would have sold it like that , I don't think he'd know where to start taking the barrel off, he has offered to try and come up with the cash to buy it back or pay to make it right , I don't really know of a good revolver smith in my NW Ga area so I guess I'll send it to s&w and see what comes of it , I agree that it's hard to not notice the barrel/frame gap at .020" and don't know how he couldn't have known

 

[chief38]

Turning a Barrel in one complete turn and having it index up perfectly is highly unlikely. More than likely, some metal will need to be removed around the Shoulder for a precise fit. Also, once your Barrel is properly fit, the B/C Gap will need to be reset. This job is not as easy as it seems. Yes, someone with skills, tools and know-how can do it (not Rocket Science) however for a proper fit, proper B/C Gap, proper Barrel torque and a mar-free gun, you would be better off letting a good qualified, insured and recommended GS do the job.

There are also tools needed (Barrel Wrench & Special Vise Support Plates) that you would either need to buy, make or borrow and unless you intend on working on Barrels often, it simply doesn't pay for a single job. Believe me when I say this...... to do this job properly, it isn't 15 - 20 minutes!

 

[stansdds]

The barrel is loose and the barrel-cylinder gap is 0.020"? Sounds to me like the barrel has been messed with. It was loosened or removed for some reason, maybe a barrel swap and whoever did it did not know how to do it correctly. I'd definitely use a qualified gunsmith or send it back to S&W for service and have it checked to see what else is wrong with it.

 

[Tritonman92587]

Turning a Barrel in one complete turn and having it index up perfectly is highly unlikely. More than likely, some metal will need to be removed around the Shoulder for a precise fit. Also, once your Barrel is properly fit, the B/C Gap will need to be reset. This job is not as easy as it seems. Yes, someone with skills, tools and know-how can do it (not Rocket Science) however for a proper fit, proper B/C Gap, proper Barrel torque and a mar-free gun, you would be better off letting a good qualified, insured and recommended GS do the job.

There are also tools needed (Barrel Wrench & Special Vise Support Plates) that you would either need to buy, make or borrow and unless you intend on working on Barrels often, it simply doesn't pay for a single job. Believe me when I say this...... to do this job properly, it isn't 15 - 20 minutes!

I'm sending it back to s&w for the repair , I don't know of a local smith I trust to do the work

 

[jack the toad]

Good luck and keep us posted...

 

[M29since14]

Have you checked to be sure the frame is not cracked?

 

[Tritonman92587]

Have you checked to be sure the frame is not cracked?

Yes I have , I can't find any physical damage to the frame or barrel anywhere , and no cracks in the frame

 

[M29since14]

Cracked frames were not uncommon with 29-3s. I once sold a nice 6-inch 29-3 that I am sure was OK when the buyer picked it up. A week or so later the buyer called and told me the frame had cracked the first time he fired it. I could hardly believe him! The gun was practically brand new. He brought the gun over and sure enough, it was cracked. He claimed he had done nothing to the gun other than fire it. The gun looked perfect (otherwise) and he showed me a box of Remington factory loads with maybe ten or so rounds fired. Stuff happens!

You're doing the right thing in sending your 29-2 back to Springfield. Hopefully they can get it fixed up.