I found an older Mtn Gun

[s-wfan]

Hello all,
I just traded for this 2000 manufactured 629 Mtn Gun that recently arrived at my dealer. Action and trigger are excellent. My only concern is this tiny scratch on the outside of the barrel where it goes into the frame. It's not that a scratch is a big deal on a used gun, but I do want to make sure it isn't actually a crack, considering the area it's in. Ignore the "dark" appearance in the scratch as it has since cleaned up. I have looked at it under magnification and it does look like only a scratch but am wondering if I should check further.

 

[Bald1]

That looks concerning for sure. Try and buff it out a little

 

[Vtgw938]

Hard place to get a scratch like that but it also could be a manufacturing defect. I'd investigate further.

 

[toad67]

If it was a crack I'd think that it would be visible on the forcing cone.

 

[stansdds]

My first guess is poor machining, but yes, check the forcing cone/barrel extension for a crack.

 

[Alk8944]

That is just an artifact from the rough machining of the barrel forging that wasn't completely removed when the barrel was polished.

 

[Anton Chigurh]

Definitely just push the cylinder off to the side, angle so you can see down the barrel and shine a light into the forcing cone area. I doubt it would crack ahead of the forcing cone for whatever reason, so it should be visible in the cone if it's a crack.

 

[Aukula1062]

Every firearms own should has a decent Jeweller's loop in their kit. They are reasonably price for a decent example and they can save you from an expensive mistake. You can thank me later

 

[s-wfan]

Thanks for the replies. I sent pics to S&W and the CS manager stated that it was "normal" and not to be concerned . I guess it's just a machining issue. In any event, this is a great find and I'm super excited about it. Very nice action and feel to it. Great trigger too.

 

[38magnum]

Thanks for the replies. I sent pics to S&W and the CS manager stated that it was "normal" and not to be concerned . I guess it's just a machining issue. In any event, this is a great find and I'm super excited about it. Very nice action and feel to it. Great trigger too.

They really couldnt tell without it being in their hands. Most people would consider it a bad defect unless it was magnafluxed

 

[BC38]

FWIW, seems to me that a crack in the barrel that doesn't start at the forcing cone is really unlikely, unless there was a squib just a little farther down the barrel. If that happened, for it to crack, the barrel would have to be badly bulged as well.
If you look down the bore with a medium bright light held in the cylinder window you should be able to see the bulge internally - if there is a bulge.
If there's no bulge then it must be just a surface finish flaw, not a crack.