Urgent advice. Navy Victory with bulged barrel

[Artyldr01]

PICTURE ADDED NOTE, I think you can see the bulge in the picture at rear of sight.

I stumbled on a Navy marked Victory model in the 200,000 range. It looks fantastic, and I think original finish, until I saw and felt a bulge near the front sight (not by the frame). They are asking $360. I believed it to be unsafe and passed, but I see info now that says maybe not? In reality I rarely shoot my "artifacts" anyway, but am I correct that this is from a malfunction, not the known manufacturing issue? If so, would it be worth offering $100 cash as a wallhanger?

Help is greatly appreciated!

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[Valmet]

My .02- I wouldn’t want it, even for $100

 

[Artyldr01]

That's what I'm figuring, but I wanted to research first. I can get buck fever with these cool old guns and don't want to make a bad decision.

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[Mbrgr1]

Not unsafe...

unless the squib is still in there!


It may suffer from gas going around the bullet near the bulge, but the muzzle end is the "safest" place to have a bulge, the lowest pressure area.



How bad is the bulge and how close to the muzzle?

 

[Artyldr01]

unless the squib is still in there!


It may suffer from gas going around the bullet near the bulge, but the muzzle end is the "safest" place to have a bulge, the lowest pressure area.



How bad is the bulge and how close to the muzzle?

It was definitely noticeable when running fingers over it and inside the bore with a bore light. It was to the rear of the front sight.

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[murphydog]

The price seems to reflect the seller knows about the problem. You can probably find a replacement correct barrel for it but it wouldn't be 100% original...good luck in your decision.

 

[s&wchad]

A bulged barrel isn't unsafe to shoot, but it will probably affect accuracy. Bulged barrels typically happen when a defective round leaves a bullet stuck in the barrel (squib load) and the shooter fires another cartridge without removing the stuck bullet.

NOS victory barrels were available in the past, but the supply seems to have dried up. Barrels do occasionally show up at auction for under $100. A gunsmith would probably charge $100+/- to install it. It wouldn't be numbered to the gun, but you'd have a WWII revolver that looked correct and would shoot OK.

 

[steelslaver]

Perfectly safe to fire. Usual cause is firing a second round while a semi dud,"squib" was stuck in barrel/ In the case of near the muzzle it could have been from mud or something stuck in the muzzle. I would replace the barrel, but not for safety reasons. First of all it would bug me, next velocity may suffer and right at the muzzle maybe accuracy. Guys have reported no loss of accuracy with mid barrel bulges

 

[s&wchad]

I see you added a photo. The grips are later replacements and not original to the gun.

What's that stainless snubby under the Victory?

 

[Mbrgr1]

Wow! You can see it in the picture!


That's a rare double tapered barrel!

 

[Artyldr01]

I see you added a photo. The grips are later replacements and not original to the gun.



What's that stainless snubby under the Victory?

It's a .357 but I don't recall model. They havea nickel model 10 2" thst was refinihed black (ugh) and another nickel plated Victory with rubber grips. Many, "off" guns that could have been really cool. A Pocket Positive. A model 15. A Buenos Aires police issued Hi Power.

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[murphydog]

Wow! You can see it in the picture!


That's a rare double tapered barrel!

With the bolt notches pointing at the tips of the cylinder flutes, and the barrel/frame proportions, it looks like a 2.5" 686 Plus (7 shot).

 

[Artyldr01]

With the bolt notches pointing at the tips of the cylinder flutes, and the barrel/frame proportions, it looks like a 2.5" 686 Plus (7 shot).

I think you are right now that you mention, 7 shot.

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[DETROIT]

I’d offer 200-250 OTD, and enjoy shooting it

 

[LittleAugieMo]

Maybe buy it for a "Fitz special"
Conversion or just a bbl "bob"?

 

[Artyldr01]

Maybe buy it for a "Fitz special"
Conversion or just a bbl "bob"?

I actually considered a short barrel, or just replacing.

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[Artyldr01]

Well, he said the best he could do is $288+tax. I'll keep you apprised on my decision.

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[gmborkovic]

You say its a "Navy" but offer no proof. If a Navy, buy it for $100 and play with it. Lots of alternatives.

 

[alwslate]

They will probably have a hard time selling it. Get the price down as low as possible and enjoy shooting it with cast bullet handloads.

 

[alwslate]

My shooter grade 1917 .45 ACP has a slight bulge about 1/2" in front of the frame. Not too noticeable actually. I shoot cast bullet handloads in AR brass and accuracy is on par with my 1937 Brazilian.