Model 65 question

[Jerry-R]

A Friend is considering a FTF purchase of a Smith 65, not sure of the year, but the barrel is not pinned.
Forcing cone has a groove at the bottom. Looks like a mini feed ramp.
Has anyone on here seen anything like that?
Seller purchased it in that condition, has no idea how it was done, or why if on purpose.
I told him I would ask. Pic shows the groove.

 

[ken158]

Do not recall ever seeing anything like that and I would pass on a purchase.

 

[dozer]

Few years ago purchased from a big online used surplus sale with no detailed picks. Think I was sent one of the last remaining and it had something similar looking on forcing cone when It showed up that was concerning. Did not except and returned for full refund.

 

[Toolguy]

The must be the prototype auto-revo one...

 

[murphydog]

The area does not have a lot of apparent firing wear (or it was cleaned very thoroughly), so it looks like the area was chipped or otherwise damaged on assembly.

The bottom of the forcing cone on older K frame .357s is thinned out to clear the yoke so is weaker than the rest of the barrel.

 

[Mike-4]

First I've ever seen on any revolver. I'd pass on it.

 

[Baxter6551]

That is where S&W had the issue with forcing cones cracking from use of the 125 grain loads. I think this one cracked and they milled it to conceal ? Or a hunk fell out and they cleaned it up ?
Or they relieved it to prevent cracking (like the Garand Op Rod cut) ?
Hard pass on that one unless you want to try and find a new barrel for it. Harder to do that these days.
This problem was one of the things that led to development of the L frame.

 

[stansdds]

I'm guessing that either a crack started and someone ground away at the affected area to remove the crack or someone had a not so brilliant idea about how to prevent cracking of the forcing cone.

 

[CH4]

Hard pass
Really unfortunate if it were a 3”

 

[Jerry-R]

Thanks to all. As always, very much appreciated.