Barrel inspection after squib

[CaptJack1]

This is 8” 357mag Dan Wesson barrel
It was purchased in pistol pack with other barrels
The seller informed me of the known defect.
The very minor bulge is about 1/4” from the end of the barrel
Measured from where the barrel nut will no longer thread down
The inside looks like a shadow at that spot..see pic
The bulge is not at all visible on the outside of the barrel
If it did not have a barrel nut to confirm the defect you would never know.

Question- is it safe to shoot?
I realize there will could be accuracy issues…
My guess is there would not be any safety issue…but that’s a guess on my part.

I appreciate the experience on this forum
Thanks
Jack

 

[Protocall_Design]

It's safe to shoot as long as the barrel tightens up in the shroud, and is firmly attached to the frame. The bulge will not cause higher pressure, may or may not shoot well. I have seen bulged barrels that still shot good groups, and some that didn't.

 

[CaptJack1]

It's safe to shoot as long as the barrel tightens up in the shroud, and is firmly attached to the frame. The bulge will not cause higher pressure, may or may not shoot well. I have seen bulged barrels that still shot good groups, and some that didn't.

Thank you very much…that was my instinct but wanted some assurance from those more knowledgeable.
thanks again Jack

 

[Alk8944]

What Protocol Design said is correct.

Bulges rarely cause accuracy issues unless they extend right to the muzzle of the barrel. There are no safety issues at all.The biggest problem is the barrel nut not being able to be tightened. It may be possible to obtain a die to chase the threads, but not likely!

Mostly bulges are purely cosmetic. I have a S&W "Winchester Model" (1902 1st change .32-20) that has a large bulge right at the barrel lug Bullets recovered are double-engraved by the rifling when the bullet "skips" through the bulge, really look odd! The bore is what is generally described as "dark", after all the gun is nearly 120 years old and black powder was still the norm for this cartridge when the gun was built. In spite of the somewhat rough bore and the bulge the gun shoots extremely well.

Now the odd part. I obtained a NOS (new old-stock) 5" barrel, very late in .32-20 production. I changed the barrel in my revolver several years ago to the new condition one. The result? The brand new, apparently perfect, barrel did not shoot nearly as well as the rough bore barrel with a large bulge! It got changed back after the first time I shot it with the new barrel!

 

[Alk8944]

Double post couldn't be deleted!

 

[CaptJack1]

very interesting story…much appreciated.
Actually, the barrel nut tightens down on the barrel shroud fine
the barrel nut tightens on the shroud when the end of the barrel is about flush with the nut

thanks again
Jack

 

[Dvus]

The bulge is, as reported above, of very little consequence. UNLESS, (always gotta love it when there's an "unless") you happen to squib another round ahead of the bulge and let another one fly. Then the bulge will certainly transform into a "blowout." With the bulge so close to the muzzle on your revolver the chances of that are... well, I'm sure Spock could come up with a calculation.

 

[steelslaver]

I agree that the bulge probably doesn't hurt much.

But, at the local gun show this guy with a bulged barrel heavy duty shows up every show and I wonder if I made a set of dies that matched the barrel's correct profile how much force would it take to press the bulge back out. I would think a 20 ton press could do it

Make the dies by clamping 2 pieced of steel together and boring the correct size hole for the narrowest part in the joint. then use small sanding drum to adjust for any taper.

I keep thinking I could do it. But, already have plenty of 38 caliber revolvers and way to many projects

 

[PattonTime]

Bulged barrels

Over the years I have purchased three revolvers with bulged barrels because the price seemed good even with needing new barrels.
None were terribly bulged, but all were noticeable. I shot all for a while before replacing the barrels.
I finally got the last one changed out, a Pre-Model 24 or Model 1950 Target,& not a one shot any different with the new barrel at least by my standards, which is just shooting at 10-15 yards at my local indoor range.
One was a Ruger 45 Colt Blackhawk, I got a used replacement barrel from John Linebaugh, a most talented Ruger Smith, one of the first to popularize Ruger only 45 Colt loads in his custom guns & a very nice man to deal with. Another Smith had told me to call him & he said he had buckets of them which length would I prefer?
He recently passed away, I was glad I had a chance to speak with him briefly.