K-38 ringed barrel

[roysha]

I have a 4 screw K-38/M-14 that has a very slightly ringed barrel. It is so slight that it can't be seen on the outside. I have laid a straight edge scale along both sides and there is no discernible bulge. It can barely be felt when a tight patch is pushed through, but it is there.

It does not seem to effect accuracy, since it shoots almost a well as my M14-5, which is probably the most accurate handgun I own.

My question is, should I just live with the ring or should I rebarrel? I can get a very good condition 6" barrel for a rather reasonable price and I have the ability to swap barrels. Even with the cost of the barrel I'm still way ahead of the going price of K38/M14s in similar overall condition, (sans the ring).

[NSB]

It isn't going to get worse unless you fire another round on top of a squib stuck in the barrel (probably what happened to begin with). It's safe to shoot. It's just whatever you want to do about it. If it shoots good and if it were mine, I'd probably just leave it alone.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Second vote for "as is", since it's retained its accuracy.

[ShooterAZ]

I agree with the above, as long as she still shoots really well I don't see a need to re-barrel either.

[TNsailorman]

Yes, agree with the above posters. There is no guarantee that the replacement barrel will shoot as accurate as the one that you have now. And as you have already stated, the accuracy is still there on the ringed barrel. just my .02 anyway, james

[reddog81]

Sounds like a very small issue. Probably no more detrimental to accuracy then the jump through the barrel/cylinder gap and forcing cone. I'd leave it as is.

[Outpost75]

In general I would agree, but this also presents an opportunity to inspect other aspects of the revolver regarding cylinder gap, end shake, bore to charge hole alignment, forcing cone condition, etc. IF the gun could benefit from gunsmith tweaking, it may indeed be worth the expense to fit a new barrel and make other timing, alignment and lockup adjustments.

There is no safety issue continuing to use the revolver as-is, but having the ringed barrel will reduce potential resale value by about $150 (typical cost to fit a new barrel and adjust, not including cost of the replacement barrel). If that is not an issue for you, enjoy the gun, but be aware of the option if you should change your mind later. I would be searching for a barrel anyway.

[KCSO]

If you notice it every time you shoot or clean the gun you won't be happy with it the way it is, if on the otherhand you can just forget about it...

It just depends on how much it bugs you. If it were me I would never be happy with a flaw in the barrel and would rebarrel, and then with my luck is wouldn't shoot as good with the new barrel!

[Char-Gar]

Everything else being equal, put me in the "live with it" column.

[Texas by God]

Give it to me. I'll inspect it for a few years- no charge!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Larry Gibson]

Depends on what you want; if you can "live with it" then since it shoots "almost as good" as your M14-5 then no harm no foul. However, with the new barrel it may just shoot better than the M14-5.......you won't know if you "live with it".........a conundrum is that.......

[Reverend Al]

If it were me I'd just leave it alone as long as it continues to shoot well. By the same token if you can buy a very reasonably priced replacement barrel right now I think that I'd buy it while it is available and tuck it away in a drawer for future use just in case the accuracy of this existing barrel does deteriorate. Never hurts to "hedge your bets" ...

[clintsfolly]

How about firelap the barrel and see if it removes the bulge. Can’t hurt and may help.

[MT Gianni]

If it were me I'd just leave it alone as long as it continues to shoot well. By the same token if you can buy a very reasonably priced replacement barrel right now I think that I'd buy it while it is available and tuck it away in a drawer for future use just in case the accuracy of this existing barrel does deteriorate. Never hurts to "hedge your bets" ...

This is what I would do as well.

[Drm50]

I'm one that would leave it alone. I hate to mess with any gun that shoots good. I have a S&W that I don't like, it's a 45 and I keep it because it's astounding accurate. On the other hand if a gun doesn't shoot I get rid of it and I don't care what it is. It's always cheaper in long run to find another. As with any thing that comes off assembly lines you are going to have a few lemons, most will be decent and a few cherries. In the older model S&Ws I have found few lemons and non in guns that were properly used & maintained.

[M-Tecs]

I can get a very good condition 6" barrel for a rather reasonable price and I have the ability to swap barrels.

I would leave as is but I would also pick up the reasonably priced barrel. As they get harder to find the price will go up and if truly reasonably priced you will not lose money on it.

[EMC45]

Leave it be. I have a Model 30 3in nickle that has a ringed barrel and it shoots great.

[Petrol & Powder]

I would leave as is but I would also pick up the reasonably priced barrel. As they get harder to find the price will go up and if truly reasonably priced you will not lose money on it.
I will second the idea of picking up the spare barrel while you can.

[reddog81]

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

Having a spare K frame barrel isn’t a bad idea. I figure they aren’t making them any more and there are a lot of the guns out there so there’s a good chance that barrel might come in handy some day.

[samari46]

Have an old Colt trooper MKIII in 357 magnum. Years back bought most of the parts from one that had been stripped down for parts. Nice complete cylinder,nice 6" barrel and a few other parts. Did the same for the 1937 Contract N frame in 45acp. The barrel for this revolver is in mint shape the one on the revolver is good. Buy the spare barrel, if and when you need it you'll already have it and money well spent. Frank

[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. :drinks:

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.