5” Performance Center... does this look normal?

[Saudade]

It looks like S&W made a change from the 1.0 to 2.0 in the barrel/slide lockup.

Here's my 1.0 ported barrel. Notice that the diameter increases towards the muzzle. Two different angles. Somewhere around 600 rounds.



Next is my Storm Lake unported barrel. Note the increased diameter also. Not sure why it's so much longer that the OEM one. About 100 rounds.



So my slide, at the muzzle has no ridge. The same is true for my FS and Compact (both 1.0).

 

[Saudade]

Just a guess.
Looks like you've got a ported barrel. I seem to remember reading about certain types of ammo that shouldn't be used in guns with ported barrels, and sometimes bullet plating would go through the port. Maybe one of the problems was bits of bullet plating blowing through the ports and being abrasive.
Good luck..


Good catch right here. Do you have anymore info on the ammo that you speak of?

The chatter I hear is about lead bullets and plated bullets. However for everyone that says "don't shoot lead/plated bullets with a ported barrel", another says "I do all the time with no issue" (or something to that effect).

Just make sure when you clean your barrel, you look for any residue, debris, etc., in the ports.

 

[Oldsalt66]

When I needed to return a very early production example E Series 1911 TA pistol to S&W some years back they sent me a shipping label to their Fedex acct. and had Fedex pick up the pistol from my home.

No need to travel at all.

I believe the problem with shooting plated bullets through ported barrels lies in the possibility of plating material shavings being ejected through the ports possibly resulting in injury.

IIRC, plated Berry bullets and others have a warning on their boxes that they shouldn't be fired in ported barrels.

BTW: my M&P barrels, each with several thousand rounds through them, have become smoothly polished from use, but not scored. (.40 and 9mm)

 

[Tsb3]

It looks like S&W made a change from the 1.0 to 2.0 in the barrel/slide lockup.

Here's my 1.0 ported barrel. Notice that the diameter increases towards the muzzle. Two different angles. Somewhere around 600 rounds.

View attachment 476600View attachment 476598

Next is my Storm Lake unported barrel. Note the increased diameter also. Not sure why it's so much longer that the OEM one. About 100 rounds.

View attachment 476599

So my slide, at the muzzle has no ridge. The same is true for my FS and Compact (both 1.0).

That is interesting. Thanks for posting those pictures.

 

[Stetto]

I would be glad to attempt a picture, but it is currently in the hands of S&W. Tracking shows that they signed for it on Tuesday.

Any word? I got receipt confirmation on the 19th.

 

[Tsb3]

Any word? I got receipt confirmation on the 19th.

I called S&W on Monday. The lady looked it up and told me that they have not inspected it yet. She said probably 6-8 more weeks before they get to it.

 

[armorer951]

Thats a very hot, dirty and hostile environment inside the slide at that location, especially if the barrel is ported. I would imagine that's why they characterized what they saw in the photos as "normal".

 

[Tsb3]

UPDATE: I received an email from FedEx today stating that I have a package coming on Monday which requires an adult signature. So, I called S&W. The very nice lady told me that they completed the work on my gun and it was soon to be shipped out. I asked if she could tell me what was done to it. She said they "repaired" the barrel, not replaced. Interesting. Also interesting is, when I called to check the status about 10 days agoI was told 6-8 weeks.
I am glad it's soon to be home and I hope that the "repaired" barrel is all good.

 

[BSA1]

Please follow-up with your pistol accuracy next time you shoot it.

I understand your concern about the wear marks on the barrel but the most important question that did not get asked is how accurate your pistol was. Nice finish is nice but accuracy is final.

 

[Stetto]

UPDATE: I received an email from FedEx today stating that I have a package coming on Monday which requires an adult signature. So, I called S&W. The very nice lady told me that they completed the work on my gun and it was soon to be shipped out. I asked if she could tell me what was done to it. She said they "repaired" the barrel, not replaced. Interesting. Also interesting is, when I called to check the status about 10 days agoI was told 6-8 weeks.
I am glad it's soon to be home and I hope that the "repaired" barrel is all good.

Interesting. I received the same email fifty minutes ago. No other contact, simply said they shipped it and would need a signature when it arrived on Monday.

I'm also interested in pursuant accuracy: The CT ct1500 had been torqued on to where I was afraid of stripping the hex nuts or wrench breaking the seal, so it was left on the firearm. Changing the battery will be a challenge, no doubt....

 

[Tsb3]

Please follow-up with your pistol accuracy next time you shoot it.

I understand your concern about the wear marks on the barrel but the most important question that did not get asked is how accurate your pistol was. Nice finish is nice but accuracy is final.

Very true. Accuracy is everything.
To answer the unasked question: It seemed to be very accurate and easy to shoot.
I got a bit worried when I seen the groove worn in the barrel.
I certainly hope that the repair did not adversely affect its accuracy.

 

[Tsb3]

Interesting. I received the same email fifty minutes ago. No other contact, simply said they shipped it and would need a signature when it arrived on Monday.

Very interesting indeed.
The nice lady said that there would be a detailed note sent with the gun, explaining what the repairs were.

 

[Stetto]

Very interesting indeed.
The nice lady said that there would be a detailed note sent with the gun, explaining what the repairs were.

I would have appreciated a detailed note. What I got was this:

They DID return it dirty, however, and a blank checklist of parts, with repaired/replaced boxes next to each.

I know what a squib is, this firearm has never had one that I'm aware of, and apparently my DETAILED NOTE was ignored. If there was an issue with a "squibbed" barrel, shouldn't it require replacement?...I'll update if I get anywhere with CS...

 

[swsig]

I know what a squib is, this firearm has never had one that I'm aware of, and apparently my DETAILED NOTE was ignored. If there was an issue with a "squibbed" barrel, shouldn't it require replacement?...I'll update if I get anywhere with CS...

Odd terminology indeed. Maybe you had one of those rare barrels with an "external squib".

 

[Stetto]

Odd terminology indeed. Maybe you had one of those rare barrels with an "external squib".

Yeah, I'm now waiting to hear what Tsb3's "detailed" note says. Can't be a typo, can it? I can't see them being sloppy, but....

 

[Tsb3]

UPDATE: My PC 5" came home today. Check out my "detailed" note. It simply states: Cosmetics - Finish - Slide.
Under work performed it states: Evaluate/ Repair
Repair Barrel

I'm not sure what method they used but they filled most of the groove in the barrel and polished out the finer scratches. You can still see where the groove was in the barrel.
I believe that after I run a couple hundred thru it the barrel will look the same as it did before, because nothing was done to prevent that.
At this point, I'm just gonna shoot it and hope that the accuracy is still there.

Not sure why the pictures are sideways or how to rotate them. The originals are correct.

 

[Stetto]

I just chatted with a gunsmith an former CS guy with another company, this is his opinion:

"IMO, its a faulty design or material spec. What is happening there is the bad design is vibrating the living **** out of the barrel since the porting is a slide containment design off a floating (loose non fixed) barrel. Basically, as the port gas blasts up, the barrel is hammered directly into the MOVING slide barrel bearing surface and vibrating back all around as the slide cycles rearward. This type of design work calls for different metalugy of the barrel that would resist these forces. A greater bearing area is not possible for reduction since the barrel must pivot downward in its cycle, so your back to barrel hardness and gauling resistance of the final specification. They should have Rockwell tested the barrel to make sure it is up to the proper hardness for this rough use application. When I worked SC at another manufacturer I never, ever would have sent it back to you in such a galled up condition. Apparently, they are all doing this barrel damage so its a major brain fart that they dont want to address one or they have to do all in a recall or free new spec barrel replacement $$$. I would hit the forums hard with any one else with this issue. and see if there is any consensus. Hopefully, its just a bad barrel that SHOULD have been changed out.

This guy's been at it a while, has my respect. I hate the idea of doing battle with a favorite brand, but this really needs resolved further than "squibbed barrel" needing no repair.

His explanation also would confirm your fear, Tsb3, that your issue WILL recur...

 

[Rodan]

I'm not sure what method they used but they filled most of the groove in the barrel and polished out the finer scratches. You can still see where the groove was in the barrel.

Looks like all they did was hit it with a polishing wheel... pretty disappointing customer service in this thread...