It's probably going to be kinda hard to see in these pictures because it doesn't show up well in pictures.I bought a top break H&R 22 Sportsman, when I got it home, I noticed that the barrel has a bulge in it, and there is a hairline crack on one side of the bulge. I definitely should have been paying more attention when I bought it, but it was from a gun shop I trust, and I am a huge sucker for a top break revolver. I was hoping that someone here could tell me what my options are with it.

The split is directly below the 5 in this picture


A couple more pictures of the bulge if you can make it out.

pop the barrel off and see if it appears in the rifling on the inside.

I can see the bulge in the barrel, a dark ring towards the middle.

Take it back to them. This isn't something you can assess or repair. Dangerous.

Ninjaed by OG. I agree with him. Take it back to them and get your money back. Not worth injury over.

I would if I could, being from Illinois, everything here gun wise is a no return policy. Plus I don't think there is any way I could prove to them that it was like that before I bought it. I guess I will just keep an eye on gunbroker or arms list and try and find a parts gun with a decent barrel on it. I haven't been able to come across a barrel for one yet, but I'll keep looking.

Thanks for the advice though.

Send back to the manufacturer. They will know the cause. Barrels shouldn't do that even after very high round counts. Something is wrong. If they determine that is was a manufacturing or material problem they will most likely replace the barrel.

I`ll bet the person who owned this gun was firing 22WMR regularity through it.

agree with OG, a barrel should never ever do that. that is a serious manufacturing defect or SERIOUS abuse of the barrel with over powered hand loads or the wrong kind of ammunition.

the manufacturer might be willing to replace that simply as a curiousity, they might be interested to have a barrel that's failed like that to improve or analyze other production batches

I know you will not probably do it if after trying to get your money back, report them to the Better Business Bureau.

If you can see it on the inside then the barrel is done for. Dont shoot anything through it. If you cant return it to seller then return it to manufacturer (just the barrel) and keep an eye out for a replacement barrel / gun. Even if the manufacturer wont replace it you should still send it to them. You cant use it and you shouldnt allow anyone else to use it at any time. Best to send it to Manufacturer. At least they could cut it open and see what caused it etc.

[Carefully keeping this out of the "other forum"]

He says there is a law where he lives that don't allow returns on firearms sales.

Even if there is a law that allows him to get around returns, talk to him about the ramifications of selling a dangerous firearm. There are laws about that too if he wants to play hardball. Remind him that you can take this to several players- Better Business, local media, local firing ranges and local chapter of the NRA , local Law Enforcement - as well as turning to legal options like the State Adjutant General and getting an attorney.

Start the discussion very civily and give him the chance to do the right thing. Then start to up the ante depending on his reaction.

I would expect that he will do the return. If he doesn't send it back to the manufacturer with a note.

One way or the other, you will not get left holding the bag.

Usually happens when you get a missfire,
Bullet gets stuck in the barrel.
You fire a second shot and it hits the first, and your lucky enough not to have the barrel blow up on you.

Take it back, they screwed you.

It's dangerous.

I was thinking squib load, followed by another shot, as well.

How does the front of the cylinder look? Does one chamber look like it has had significantly more burnt gas pushing out around the cylinder gap?

How in the world is there a state law that says that you can sell a gun (or any product), in an unsafe condition without the customer having any recourse?

Guys I appreciate all of the advice from everyone here, but this gun was $100, I will absolutely bring this up with the gun shop about selling a gun in this condition, but I'm not playing the victim with this, I'm at least 40-60 percent at fault for not looking over a used firearm. My outlook is to use this as a learning experience, I've bought many guns, but almost all new, this is why everyone says to properly inspect weapons before buying them, my mistake for trusting that any business would not be willing to make a buck on a customer. I was more interested in hearing about cutting the barrel, making it a snub, or putting a barrel liner in it. But I came here to get the opinion of people that know more about this kind of thing, I've talked with oldgrognard about guns before, and know his opinion is well respected here for knowing what he is talking about on this topic, so if he says no go, that's what I needed to know. About the state law about gun returns, I don't know if that is a state wide law, but every gun shop or store I've been to has a no returns on guns or ammo policy. But hey, my wife and I are possibly looking at a move to Texas in a year or two, mostly for gun rights and laws. I looked on Harrington & Richardsons site, they won't do work on guns that they don't produce anymore, so I get what you guys are saying, but I'm ok with just not using the barrel anymore. As for the cause, I'd say a squib is the most likely from what I can see, especially considering it's a 22, anyone who has shot a lot of 22's knows that going through a bulk 500 pack, your bound to find multiple light loaded rounds. Thanks again for everyone's info and opinions here, I think I'll just be on the look out for a parts gun, or buy a working model of the same gun, I'll use the gun I have for extra parts.

Consider at least trying to contact the company (if they still exist) and send them an email to see if they want the barrel.

That would be a good probability since most manufacturers want to see what can go wrong with their product and to see if there are any ways to keep it from happening or mitigating the damage in future designs.


Wheels