Need help finding a barrel

[T42L5]

Hi All,

New poster, but not a new S&W customer. Inherited this revolver a very long time ago, but only recently had interest in using it. While looking to correct excessive cylinder endshake, come to find out the barrel is slightly ballooned (suspected squib) and the forcing cone is damaged (out of time shot). So, I'm looking for a barrel and I'm having a really hard time finding a match. There is a lot of sentimental value in this piece and any assistance would be appreciated!

I believe it is a late production 1948 5" M&P 38 Special 5-screw revolver. SN S967XXX. I can't seem to find a barrel that has the half moon front sight and no offset cut for a large ejector rod end. It's either a serrated front sight with no offset, or a half moon front sight with an offset. I'm even open to having the barrel repaired, but I'm guessing barrel repair is not really a thing.

 

[Rpg]

I doubt you need a replacement barrel for anything other than cosmetic purposes. Barrel bulging rarely impacts accuracy.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I doubt you need a replacement barrel for anything other than cosmetic purposes. Barrel bulging rarely impacts accuracy.

Yeah, the bullet just rattles for a microsecond.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Personally, I would not worry about the barrel on that particular revolver. It has been well worn and looks like a parkerized finish has been applied. It will still shoot accurately, so that is not a reason to replace the barrel. If inherited, the bulge was probably put there by your ancestor and they proceeded to shoot the heck out of it after that barrel incident occurred. Value-wise, you will likely not get the cost of repair out of it and finding another parkerized barrel that comes close to matching your frame finish will be impossible. Once your other issues are remedied, I would not be at all concerned about that slight barrel bulge.

 

[22hipower]

Barrels show up on eBay occasionally. A Want to Buy ad here on the Classified section might find one too. That said, I agree with Rpg, unless there's more wrong than we can see, I'd leave it as it is. From a sentimental value perspective I'd keep it as I got it too, other than whatever tweaking might be needed to make it functionally ok.

 

[MelvinWalker]

If you decide to replace it, a 4 inch take-off barrel from a Victory model might be the best option...Much easier to find, MUCH easier to get a holster for and will actually make it much more useable.

 

[T42L5]

Thanks for the quick replies!

I’ll take a picture of the forcing cone damage and post it later today.

As for endshake, with the cylinder in the normal position, there is about 0.004” of gap between the cylinder and forcing cone. However, when I pull back the cylinder, the gap grows to about 0.021;” ~0.017” of endshake. Looks like it had endshake for a while and the extractor has been slamming on the frame flattening out the bearing surface on the extractor. Thought about putting shims between the yoke and cylinder, but then the cylinder gap would be excessive. Alternatively, I thought about putting a shim between the cylinder and frame, but not sure how safe that would be. Plus, it would potentially fall out every time I open the cylinder since there isn’t anything holding it to the end of the extractor.

 

[JP@AK]

I believe it is a late production 1948 5" M&P 38 Special 5-screw revolver. SN S967XXX.

Just to clarify the approximate date, S967000 puts likely shipment in about January or February 1948.

The odd angle of the photos makes it difficult to be certain, but it looks like a 6" barrel to me.

 

[MelvinWalker]

Just to clarify the approximate date, S967000 puts likely shipment in about January or February 1948.

The odd angle of the photos makes it difficult to be certain, but it looks like a 6" barrel to me.

I think you are right...

OP, how did you measure the barrel?

 

[T42L5]

Haven't measured it. Based the 5" assumption on barrels I see online and how the sight/extractor rod detent area lines up. I'll measure that later too.




6" Looks like the front sight is much further from the extractor detent area for me.

 

[Yendor 1]

What’s up with that side plate?
If you’re just looking for a challenge, or something to practice on, ok, I get it. But if you’re looking for something to actually shoot, I’d move on.

 

[T42L5]

Screws that were on the revolver were garbage. I've since replaced them and the side plate sits better now.

Long story as to why I want to shoot it, so not going to get into that. Not looking to take this out regularly. Likely once or twice, then leave it for the next generation.

 

[T42L5]

Hard to show in pics, but here is the forcing cone damage.







Compared to the other side.

 

[pasound]

It might be time to look for another gun, or, like posted above, a 4" barrel.

 

[T42L5]

Already have other guns; that’s not the point.

I have my eye on this barrel on eBay…



5” and similar patina. Front sight isn’t the same though; I think this is from a newer model. Just asking for help looking for the same style barrel. I’m thinking it was only made from ‘46-‘48, so not that common.

 

[kirkcdl]

Check Numrich before you give up,LOTS of parts there...

 

[RMFnLA]

You could also just chamfer the forcing cone, assuming you can live with the barrel bulge.

 

[T42L5]

Safety is really the concern. If a bulging barrel only impacts accuracy but it’s safe to shoot, I’m good.

There was some side to side yoke/frame play which I think was the reason for the out of time/forcing cone damage. Did a little yoke adjustment and now there is no play sideways. Looking down the barrel, looks well timed too. So I’m not sure if the forcing cone damage would be a safety issue at this point.

 

[RCKellner11]

Hi All,

New poster, but not a new S&W customer. Inherited this revolver a very long time ago, but only recently had interest in using it. While looking to correct excessive cylinder endshake, come to find out the barrel is slightly ballooned (suspected squib) and the forcing cone is damaged (out of time shot). So, I'm looking for a barrel and I'm having a really hard time finding a match. There is a lot of sentimental value in this piece and any assistance would be appreciated!

I believe it is a late production 1948 5" M&P 38 Special 5-screw revolver. SN S967XXX. I can't seem to find a barrel that has the half moon front sight and no offset cut for a large ejector rod end. It's either a serrated front sight with no offset, or a half moon front sight with an offset. I'm even open to having the barrel repaired, but I'm guessing barrel repair is not really a thing.

View attachment 894091View attachment 894092View attachment 894093View attachment 894094View attachment 894095

Have the barrel relined. I have this done several times with excellent results. A 1917 Colt .45 acp, S&W I frame target .22, and a Colt Python converted to .41 Mag.

 

[T42L5]

I’d prefer having the barrel relined; keeps original parts together. Where did you have your barrels done?