Rifling flaw on S&W 686?

D

droitwich

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I bought a 686 off EE, and it just recently arrived in excellent shape. When I examined the bore, about 1/2" from the muzzle I found a little chunk of metal shaped like a shark's tooth protruding from one of the lands into the groove next to it.

gCmcHrQl.jpg

(link to full-sized image: http://i.imgur.com/gCmcHrQ.jpg)

I considered the possibility that it was a big chunk of leading, then cleaned the crap out of the bore, which removed plenty of lead but didn't put a dent in the shark's tooth.

I'm getting the sinking suspicion it's a flaw in the manufacture. I'm not quite sure how to proceed. I haven't fired it yet, so I'm not sure if the flaw will affect operation. If the gun shoots fine I'll resign myself to it having a shoddy birthmark of sorts, and deal with the potential dip in resale value. Going back to the seller probably isn't possible, caveat emptor and all.

Has anyone come across this sort of rifling flaw before? Does Murray Charlton do barrel replacement themselves or send the gun back to the U.S.? Being the second owner, will S&W deny a warranty claim, even if it's a result of their own subpar workmanship? Anyone ever taken a file to a bore? ;)
 
Have you tried brushing the barrel with a brass bore brush?,could be a piece of lead.If it doesnt come out,send it back to the seller.Looks like its a newish gun,looking at the muzzle so wonder if the gun has been shot much.I certainly wouldnt shoot it if its a defect in the barrel.
 
I'd try to push it out with a small pick first, it may just be a small bit of metal from machining that was never cleaned out properly, and jammed itself in there.
 
Talk to the seller first and send him the picture and ask him what he wants you to do. If he is ok with it I would take it to the range and put a box of jacketed bullets through it. It would not surprise me that it will be gone after that.

If it is not tell the seller you want to return it.

Graydog
 
I would try shooting it first with plated or jacketed bullets; it could be a very persistent piece of lead fouling. Lead fouling can sometimes be very difficult to remove. If it is indeed a rifling flaw, I would say that this is one of the newer guns and the electrochemical machined rifling process went wrong.

If it shoots poorly and the flaw is still there, I would talk to Murray Charlton about a warranty replacement. I sent my 29-3 (made in 1984) to him to replace a broken trigger stud and it was covered under warranty, to my surprise.
 
I'd say the rifling broach broke/chipped at that point so it is a manufacturing defect. But good luck getting Smith&Wesson to admit that.
 
EHG said:
First of all shame on the seller.
Call Murray Charlton and send him the pic. Prepare for a long wait if a new barrel is required.
You'll be taking a gouge out of each bullet fired.
Click to expand...

Seller may not have noticed.
Contact md charleton for warranty
 
Yupe, might as well buy another gun to shoot while its out for repairs......might be a long wait.......ask me how Jackrabbit and I know this ;)
 
I did have something similar from an unmodified factory AR barrel right at the gas port, like a small "tooth" of metal was pushed from the port into the barrel. After asking around I put a few very hot loaded full metal jacketed bullets through it: flake was gone and no accuracy issues at all (sub MOA with reloads).

The thing I would try to determine (maybe with a plastic toothpick?) is where the "tooth" is attached: if it is attached to the groove then it is warranty issue for sure, if it is only attached to the land by the barest sliver at the top of the land then I would say shoot a few through it and see.

As for lead fowling: Would there be a chemical, like a Hoppes or something, that when dabbed on it would change color to show it is lead and not barrel steel? Just a thought because I know my Hoppes Copper & Lead Fowling Remover turns colors from cleaning: when it stays tan colored on the patch I know I have all the fowling gone.
 
Aniest said:
I did have something similar from an unmodified factory AR barrel right at the gas port, like a small "tooth" of metal was pushed from the port into the barrel. After asking around I put a few very hot loaded full metal jacketed bullets through it: flake was gone and no accuracy issues at all (sub MOA with reloads)...
Click to expand...
Yea, that's just a drill bit burr. One round usually cleans them up.
I'd be tempted to try and pick that lump from the OP's S&W just to see if it would loosen. It's hard to imagine a lump that size was left from rifling process.
 
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