Will this affect function?

[Bhowe]

Small scratch on barrel but can feel it when I pass my finger nail over it. Is this something to be concerned about or just cosmetic? Eventually get it buffed or reblued but is it considered unsafe to use or an emergency to get it fixed?

 

[GON765]

It's purely cosmetic and not unsafe at all no emergency, no structural issue. The barrel wall is thick enough that a fingernail catchable scratch on the outside won't weaken it or cause pressure problems with low-pressure .22LR. Thousands of shooters have similar dings scratches on blued barrels and keep shooting without drama.
Main concern, Rust potential if exposed bare steel isn't protected moisture fingerprints flash rust starts there. But that's easy to handle:
Clean the spot degrease with alcohol or solvent.
Hit it with cold blue touch up like Oxpho Blue or Perma Blue $8–10 at any gun shop to reprotect and blend it. Multiple light apps, buff with 0000 steel wool + oil.
Or just Sharpie it black and oil over for quick hide.
Keep the whole barrel lightly oiled your dry lube setup works fine externally to prevent spread

 

[Bhowe]

It's purely cosmetic and not unsafe at all no emergency, no structural issue. The barrel wall is thick enough that a fingernail catchable scratch on the outside won't weaken it or cause pressure problems with low-pressure .22LR. Thousands of shooters have similar dings scratches on blued barrels and keep shooting without drama.
Main concern, Rust potential if exposed bare steel isn't protected moisture fingerprints flash rust starts there. But that's easy to handle:
Clean the spot degrease with alcohol or solvent.
Hit it with cold blue touch up like Oxpho Blue or Perma Blue $8–10 at any gun shop to reprotect and blend it. Multiple light apps, buff with 0000 steel wool + oil.
Or just Sharpie it black and oil over for quick hide.
Keep the whole barrel lightly oiled your dry lube setup works fine externally to prevent spread

I ordered a birchwood presto blue gun pen. For steel. Appreciate it. Don't care about cosmetic but was unsure if it was bad since fingernail does catch. Thanks.