So, I bought a big boy pistol...

deadman

deadman

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Recently purchased a S&W 29-2, it arrived today. Once I started to inspect it closely (by sitting on my couch playing Harry Callahan), I noticed a ring in the barrel. Its not a "bulge", but a section of barrel where the od seems to decrease and then return to the larger od beyond this area. The ring is continuous around the diameter of the barrel, right about where the under lug ends. It is evident in the barrel rib on one side.

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There is nothing visibly evident inside the barrel. Is this simply a cosmetic flaw, or something potentially serious? If so, does anybody have any recommendations on where to find a replacement barrel?

Thanks.
 
Well if it's an indent rather than a bulge I think you're ok. The imperfection might be the result of polishing, as if someone were working out a scratch or even just a flaw missed by QC at the factory. I can't come up with anything else that would do that. Still a fine looking piece you've got there!
 
The idea of polishing or some part of the finishing process did cross my mind (trying to be optimistic here). It IS a nice lookin shootin iron, just need to find out if its simply cosmetic.

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It's kind of a crackpot idea, but .44 is a hot and heavy round. Could this be caused by barrel oscillation? I think the barrel would loose some support right about there which is what has me wondering, but again it's a bit far out there as far as theories go. If you're really worried about it there's no better option than having trained eyes look at it in person. Try your local gunsmith.
 
Sorry to get a little off topic, but from the title I thought you said you bought a big boy pistol???:nest:
sorry, couldn't resist... ;)

If it's a bulge I'd be leary
 
If the barrel is truly ringed you will see by looking down the bore with a good bright bore light. If you can not see it from the inside then you are good to go. If you are not sure what you are looking for have a gunsmith look at it right away and if it is ringed then get a hold of the seller and tell him you have a problem.

Graydog
 
It doesn't look ringed to me. If it is, the ring would also show up in the bore.

Run a really tight cleaning patch through the bore and if there is a loose spot or tight spot at that point, then you have issues. If not, don't sweat it.

Even S&W make faux pauxs once in a while and yours looks to be purely cosmetic. Not only that, it still probably meets the new factory specs for polishing.

When polishing a surface of any sort to such a high lustre, any blemish at all is noticeable.

I agree with the previous reply, factory polish blemish. Maybe a newbie doing the work. S&W still does their high lustre polishing by hand.
 
I've run patches and checked with a light, can't see or feel any inconsistency in the bore. Trying to be optimistic for obvious reasons (hoping its just cosmetic), just want to make sure I've covered the bases before using it. I've also checked the od with a caliper, doesn't seem to be an increase in diameter (checking against the od just before the "ring", it is tapered after all). Unfortunately, I have a fairly primitive caliper so I can't get readings into the thousandths.

At this point, I think its time to get some ammo for it! Thanks for the input, appreciate opinions from everyone.
 
I would chalk it up to a cosmetic "oops" on a Bangor Punta-era S&W. While S&W produced many perfectly good guns under Bangor Punta ownership, the likliehood of getting a lemon was greater than in other eras before or since.
 
Congratulations, she'll serve you well.

Just stay away from heavy 44MAG loads (anything more than 240gr), the 29-2's are not Rugers but hold up great to regular loads.
 
If the inside is smooth as a mirror i would'nt worry about it could be a manufacture flaw during the barrel making process and wasnt bluffed out enough before bluing process and slip by final inspection Good Quality Control as always LOL. Its still a nice and clean 29-2 love those grips. Real tack driver they are get out there and shoot this puppy you'll love it and will want more of them...
 
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