Delete thread

[Ano]

Hi All.
I was recently offered a model 14 from 1959 in 38 spl. It is in great condition overall. But there is a slight barrel bulge or ring internally disclaimed by the seller. Right in front of where the barrel screws into the frame. So where the threads start. Around 0.8 inches in front of the cylinder/forcing cone gap.

It was most likely due to a squib load and when pushing a jag through with a tight fitting patch, then it glides through the bulge easily when passing the bulge/ring. There is nothing visible on the exterior, only an internal broad symmetrical ring. It is not a machine mark nor from threading technique or crush fitting. Its a pinned barrel.


Is it Safe to keep shooting and should i buy it? Its a good deal but a replacement barrel is not an option due price.

 

[BillyMagg]

I wouldn't buy it, LOL

Hi All.
I was recently offered a model 14 from 1959 in 38 spl. It is in great condition overall. But there is a slight barrel bulge or ring internally disclaimed by the seller. Right in front of where the barrel screws into the frame. So where the threads start. Around 0.8 inches in front of the cylinder/forcing cone gap.

It was most likely due to a squib load and when pushing a jag through with a tight fitting patch, then it glides through the bulge easily when passing the bulge/ring. There is nothing visible on the exterior, only an internal broad symmetrical ring. It is not a machine mark nor from threading technique or crush fitting. Its a pinned barrel.


Is it Safe to keep shooting and should i buy it? Its a good deal but a replacement barrel is not an option due price.

This is when you've really got to know yourself,, I couldn't because it would drive me a little nutso.. I'd be buying a new/old barrel.

Now having said that, it is likely never going to cause you a problem, no, your gun is not going to blow up, and no, its not likely to cause you any serious accuracy issues...

IMHO, all of the above is true,, but I would always be thinking about it. So likely all of the experts will come on and tell you I'm right?? or come on and tell you I'm all wrong??? and if no one had told you it was there?? you'd never know it, but knowing its there may always be in the back of your mind???

Welcome to the forum, this is the right place to ask this question, heck, there's probably somebody on here with a good barrel, and there is no doubt in my mind, that one of these fine gentlemen might even give you a barrel or even replace it for you, just to get an old 38 back into A- condition, LOL

now, I'm not a gunsmith, I'm certainly no expert, and I've even thought I knew myself once or twice in my life?? but I was wrong both times.

so, there you go, I couldn't sleep, and here I am

 

[alwslate]

If you want a shooter and not a "collector's item" and the price is right, buy it and never look back. It will never cause you any problems.

 

[StrawHat]

Barrels are not that expensive. It might be a great shooter, as is. Can you test fire it? Six shots on target will speak volumes.

Kevin

 

[44wheelman]

I have shot a couple guns with ringed bbls, never considered them dangerous. It would bug me. I would not buy it, unless it was cheap.

 

[Ano]

Thank you all so far, the bulge is in the Area where most pressure is if reading a pressure graph. Are you still not concerned? And what if using +p ammo?

At least the seller is honest about it and claims its no problem

 

[StrawHat]

It would not bother me. But, it seems Ms to be a worry for you. I suggest you pass on it.

Kevin

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums. Yes, that's a bulged barrel and most likely resulted from a squib sticking a bullet in the barrel, then the next shot cleared the stuck bullet from the barrel. Is it safe to shoot? Most likely, yes. The 38 Special is not a Magnum pressure caliber and the barrel should be adequately strong for 38 Special. The bigger issue may be accuracy and barrel leading with lead bullets. I would place such a revolver in the bargain bin category, so the price needs to reflect the cost of a replacement barrel and its installation by a qualified gunsmith.

 

[Shotguncoach]

I own guns with barrels that look much worse than your pictures and they still produce acceptable accuracy...and yes, I do shoot them.

Every barrel ring is unique and they all behave a bit differently. Distance from the muzzle has been the most important factor in my experience. You have almost the entire barrel after your ring to stabilize the bullet so I don't think that one would matter much. As others have said, if you hadn't seen it already you might never know it was there.

What does the rest of the gun look like and what is the price? That ring alone would not stop me from buying it but it would require a reduction in the selling price.

 

[Ano]

Thank you all. The price is great. I Will Consider buying it. I just wanted to know that the bulge won't get worse over time with thousands of rounds of normal 38 spl and if it is possible to use 38 spl +p

Would you use +p in a ringed barrel?

The gun is other wise in great condition and cheap

 

[lrrifleman]

Ano, please keep in mind, your potential future Model 14 was built in the heyday of precision revolver competition, and built as a target revolver. Typically, it would have been fed a diet of lower pressure 148gr wadcutters. From your description, sounds like you have about 5" of undamaged rifling leading to the muzzle, where the accuracy lives. If you are looking for a target revolver shooting match ammo, I'd go for it, IFF (if and only if) the price is right.

 

[Babysitr]

I have a 27-2 6" that I bought at auction, didn't notice the ring....and it just made me sick! however it shoots like a dream, great trigger and I wanted a shooter. would I do it again? probably not, but I've kept it and I shoot the heck out of it

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Pass. Lots of those guns around.
Keep looking.

 

[Shotguncoach]

If you decide to buy it, please do a full range report on how it works to help other people with the same question.

If you decide not to buy it......tell us where it is!

 

[stansdds]

Thank you all. The price is great. I Will Consider buying it. I just wanted to know that the bulge won't get worse over time with thousands of rounds of normal 38 spl and if it is possible to use 38 spl +p

Would you use +p in a ringed barrel?

The gun is other wise in great condition and cheap

Model 14's are blessed with pretty thick barrels for 38 Special, I doubt that, even with the ring, +P ammo will cause further damage.

 

[Alk8944]

That ring is a result of the "thread choke" which is extremely common in S&W barrels. That is why it is at the point where the barrel and frame contact each other. Don't worry about it, it is normal in S&Ws to see this if you look closely enough! It is not a "ringed barrel", and is not a result of damage! It is a manufacturing issue!

Notice my "Sig Line", I have been looking at these things for more years than most of you have been on the Earth!!

 

[Narragansett]

The price would have to be really right. It is a 700 dollar gun in good shape. To me, value would be 700 minus barrel replacement parts and labor. So is the price around 400? If so, buy it and shoot it, and do not put the money into a new barrel. Then it will be a losing proposition for you.

Accuracy should be fine. Just look at it as jug choking a handgun.

 

[sophie]

That ring is a result of the "thread choke" which is extremely common in S&W barrels. That is why it is at the point where the barrel and frame contact each other. Don't worry about it, it is normal in S&Ws to see this if you look closely enough! It is not a "ringed barrel", and is not a result of damage! It is a manufacturing issue!

Notice my "Sig Line", I have been looking at these things for more years than most of you have been on the Earth!![/QUOTE

^^^^^I agree with what is said above about it being a manufacturing issue. I believe this is the answer.^^^^^^

 

[StrawHat]

That ring is a result of the "thread choke" which is extremely common in S&W barrels. That is why it is at the point where the barrel and frame contact each other. Don't worry about it, it is normal in S&Ws to see this if you look closely enough! It is not a "ringed barrel", and is not a result of damage! It is a manufacturing issue!

Notice my "Sig Line", I have been looking at these things for more years than most of you have been on the Earth!!

I understand about thread choke, but this statement,

… when pushing a jag through with a tight fitting patch, then it glides through the bulge easily when passing the bulge/ring.

…

causes me to think bulge not compression.

Kevin

 

[JackM]

If it were mine, and I fired a round behind a lodged bullet causing a bulge, but it still shot accurately, I’d probably just live with it. But sitting on a table at a gun show with a bulged barrel, I’d keeping looking.