True Smooth Bore revolver

[OLDSTER]

In 1978, I purchased a Model 34 from a reputable dealer in Reno, Nevada. Of course, being a revolver novice at the time, I gave it only a quick look, paid for it and was on my way. During my first trip to the range, I noticed the bullets "buzzing" out of the barrel In short, I took it home for a cleaning, and noticed it was a true "smooth bore" Yes, a straight tube. I contacted S&W and sent it in for a new Model 34 along with a good- hearted letter/apology. Ever since, I've thought I should have kept the "smooth-bore" as a collector/conversation piece. Have any of you ever experienced this ??

 

[Dashriprock]

I've seen one. A gunsmith near here, no longer in business, had a .38 caliber S&W barrel with no rifling in his curiosity showcase. Only one I've ever encountered.

 

[weatherby]

I haven't but a member here does have a gun made intentionally with a smooth bore.

 

[Alk8944]

Be glad you don't have it or you could have BATFE breathing down your neck. It falls in the category of "All other weapons", the same as a short-barreled rifle (Less than 16"), or sawed-off shotgun (Less than 18"), and would be subject to federal registration and registration and transfer fees (Taxes!). In other words, it was, and is extremely illegal, and possession without the proper documents is a federal felony!

 

[JSW]

I've heard of a few that got thru QC but have never seen one.

 

[Muley Gil]

I was a police advisor in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2007. S&W Sigmas in 9mm were chosen for the Afghan police. I became the firearms advisor and then later the training supervisor. One of my instructors came to me and told me that one of our Afghan officer instructors was having problems qualifying with the Sigma.

A couple of hours later, my guy came to me and showed me the Sigma barrel. It had one very faint land in the tube. No wonder it was throwing keyhole shots!

 

[Jimmyjones]

A good friend of mine (RIP) had a 317, we went shooting one day and every round key-holed, sure enough, no rifling.

S&W replaced the barrel, IIRC it was in the late 90's.

 

[HKSmith]

The NFA category for a smooth bore handgun is "Any Other Weapon" and the transfer or manufacturing tax is only $5.00, as opposed to $200.00 for a SBR or SBS. Owning an unregistered smooth bore handgun is a Federal felony.

I've seen lots of legally owned and registered SBR's, SBS's, silencers, and machine guns, but there doesn't seem to be much interest in smooth bore handguns. I enjoy shooting my S&W Governor with rifled barrel with .410 shotshells, but would gladly pay the $5.00 transfer tax and do the registration paperwork if S&W offered a smooth bore version (not likely to happen).

It's an interesting legal question as to what would happen to someone like the OP who inadvertently bought a smooth bore handgun that was the result of a manufacturing error. I wonder if the manufacturer would have to report the error to BATFE when the gun was returned to them for replacement?

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Not a handgun, but a rifle...and not a S&W, but a Colt. Many years ago, I had a friend that had paid big money for a Colt/Sauer bolt action rifle. In the factory box, along with all of the literature, there was a signed target with a nice clover-leafed shot group signed by the factory tester. My friend couldn't even hit the target paper at 50 yards, and asked me if I would take a look at the piece for him.

The first thing I did was ensure the piece was unloaded. Then, just because I'm so anal, I pulled the bolt and inspected the barrel to a) ensure there were no barrel obstructions, and b) check the condition of the bore. That barrel was as smooth and clear as could be. No lands, no grooves, no nothing. I checked the target, and yep, the serial number for the rifle matched.

My friend wrote the folks at the Colt factory, and they wanted the rifle back immediately for "evaluation". As I recall, my friend eventually gave them the rifle back - only after they sent him some "gifts" for his inconvenience.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Andrew2105]

Speaking of Colt..My employer purchased 35 or 40 Trooper MKIII in electroless Nickel somewhere around 1981-82. One of our better shooters was having his rounds keyhole (we liked to take newly issued weapons to the range and shoot them "just because)". Same story no rifling. The company through which the guns were purchased took the gun back after they were satisfied that there was no rifling. They were the same company that denigrated S&W & proudly bragged of the quality of the Colt. Nobody's perfect but no rifling seems like something that would be hard to miss in a quality inspection. Kind of funny seeing the supplier eat a little crow as well.

As I recall?? I the first time I saw any reference to a smooth bore handgun was in some GCA1968 paperwork. Other than the lack of markings on the bullet from the lands (one without would also stand out a bit) what criminal desirability of this made it necessary that this be illegal?

 

[ralph7]

Speaking of Colt..My employer purchased 35 or 40 Trooper MKIII in electroless Nickel somewhere around 1981-82. One of our better shooters was having his rounds keyhole (we liked to take newly issued weapons to the range and shoot them "just because)". Same story no rifling. The company through which the guns were purchased took the gun back after they were satisfied that there was no rifling. They were the same company that denigrated S&W & proudly bragged of the quality of the Colt. Nobody's perfect but no rifling seems like something that would be hard to miss in a quality inspection. Kind of funny seeing the supplier eat a little crow as well.

As I recall?? I the first time I saw any reference to a smooth bore handgun was in some GCA1968 paperwork. Other than the lack of markings on the bullet from the lands (one without would also stand out a bit) what criminal desirability of this made it necessary that this be illegal?

You could argue the same about suppressors.