K-38 ringed barrel

[bluelund79]

I will second the idea ofpicking up the spare barrel while you can.

I’m going to echo this post. Keep it as is, but if a replacement barrel is as good as you say, why not grab it for a rainy day?

[arlon]

Shoot wad cutters in it (hollow base), they will never know the difference.

[9.3X62AL]

I will second the idea of picking up the spare barrel while you can.

I'm in this camp. With 2 Model 14s at your house, a spare barrel seems like a great idea--since they are out-of-print now.

20 years ago, I would not have hesitated an instant to R&R that "spoiled" barrel. Today, I must be getting dotty or less discerning. If the barrel still shoots well, keep on rockin' until doesn't any more--then do surgery. Life is too short to cross every "T" and dot every "i".

[roysha]

Well, I opted to go with the "get the barrel and have it on hand in case it's needed later" school of thought, and oddly, now that I have the spare barrel, I don't feel anywhere near the urgency to replace the ringed barrel as I did before. I guess having the spare barrel is some sort of mental security blanket. Oh well.

Thank you all for your responses.

One final thought, a couple of folks thought the ring may have been caused by a squib load and that is entirely possible, however, judging from the looks and size of the ring, I would lean more toward the idea that a GC bullet shed it's GC and the shooter was unaware of that fact since the bullet probably hit pretty close to POA. He then followed with another shot which caused the ring. Now before anyone gets all in a tizzy, I don't know if it is possible for a GC to come off and stop in the barrel. I have heard stories of this happening and it may just be a myth or it may be real. I, don't shoot GC style bullets, (except in one rifle) since I have never found the need for them in my handguns.

[M-Tecs]

Well, I opted to go with the "get the barrel and have it on hand in case it's needed later" school of thought, and oddly, now that I have the spare barrel, I don't feel anywhere near the urgency to replace the ringed barrel as I did before. I guess having the spare barrel is some sort of mental security blank. Oh well.
.

That happens to me all the time.

[troyboy]

I'd fix it.........

[StrawHat]

I competed inPPC with a ringed barrel. The fellow I bought it from did also. That revolver can still drop them in the X ring when I do my part. No reason to change it if it shoots.

Having a spare is a good idea.

Kevin

[ShooterAZ]

If I bought a spare and put it in the drawer, I don't think I could resist the temptation to change it...

[FLINTNFIRE]

A couple of months ago a bulged barrel was on gunbroker saw it while looking for an inexpensive pistol for a coworker who wanted it for snake shot , ad said bulged could see no discernible bulge in photos , was a buy now price of $135 and opening bid was 89 first listing , second listing it went to 79 open and same buy coworker did not bid and someone bought it , I should have as that was a good buy and barrels are at gun parts . I am in the shoot as is camp.

[Green Frog]

Existing barrel shoots OK with bulge as is? Check!
Spare barrel in stock for use as needed? Check!
Good to go. Now find something else to worry about, but in the meanwhile, enjoy shooting your K-38, one of the great revolvers of all times.

Froggie

[bob208]

get the other barrel. but if the one that is on the gun shoots good hits where you look leave it alone. make that one your wife's gun then she will not be able to out shoot you.

[murf205]

Look at a new model 19 with that ugly 2 pc barrel and then tell yourself whether having an older spare that they don't make anymore is worth it. Since you say that you can change them yourself, you can always put the ringer back on it if the other barrel will not shoot as well.