625 "Model of 1989" conundrum

[SandSpider]

I own a 625-2 "Model of 1989". I like it very much and wanted a backup. Found another 625 (-6) at a local gun show this weekend. Gun looked really clean and the price was right, so I bought it.

When I got home and ran a patch down the barrel to clean it, I immediately noticed that the patch "jumped" right before the forcing cone. Sure enough, somebody fired another round onto a stuck bullet and caused damage to the barrel. Couldn't see or feel it from the outside because it is right in that section of the barrel that's inside the frame.

The seller is a good guy whom I bought from before (and no doubt will again) and he took the gun back. He clearly didn't know and asked me to name a price at which I would buy it in its damaged condition.

For now, I returned it and got my money back. But I'm still thinking about what the options would be to replace the barrel. How cheap would I have to buy the gun for this to make sense? I'm not interested in "collector value", I want a gun for target shooting and competition. Maybe there would be even better/more accurate options than a factory replacement barrel?

What do you guys think?


Thanks, SandSpider

 

[murphydog]

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. You may ask your friend the seller if he will test-fire it and see it shoots straight; if so it may not need a new barrel, except that you know it is damaged and it may bug you. If so, I suspect there is no point in pursuing it, you'll always want one without the bulge. Good luck in your decision.

 

[Nightowl]

If the bulge is inside the frame where you could not feel it on the outside, would not the frame be damaged too? I think you were right in returning it. There are others out there.

 

[SandSpider]

If the bulge is inside the frame where you could not feel it on the outside, would not the frame be damaged too? I think you were right in returning it. There are others out there.

That was my worry as well.