Posted by SGT on May 15, 2008, 3:26 pm, in reply to "Grade 4 "
Scott, Any time you see a barrel bulge you should have the gun checked by a gunsmith specializing in barrel work for a thorough inspection and opinion. The odds are that the gun remains shootable; but the problem is right there where the fingers of the lead hand will be gripping barrel tubes. Having once witnessed a barrel rupture in this same area; then seeing the permanent damage inflicted to the shooter's hand (portions were evaporated), I certianly wouldn't take any chances with my hand. Besides, even if you never had a problem, unless you knew in your mind that you weren't taking a dangerous risk; how could you ever concentrate to the degree where you could shoot the gun with any reasonable consistency? You'd being ducking and counting fingers after every shot! So have them checked; if the tube walls have not been stretched and thinned beyond what is safe, a good gunsmith can repair those bulges where they will be invisible. I would suggest you also have that gunsmith proof the barrels for added safety; but, from that point forward, be sure to use only low-pressure loads as the odds are greater that those areas within the barrel tubes that have been stretched will be more susceptible to the strains created by the heavy and high-pressure loads available over the counter nowadays.