Crack in pistol barrel?

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Eric 53

New member
New user to the forum here, I apologize about not knowing how to post pics. I don't think my phone would pick up what I'll attempt to describe anyway. (Note: attempted to take a pic, but camera is too lo res)

The pistol in question is a Beretta PX4 Storm .40 cal police trade in, recently acquired. Broke it down for cleaning before shooting it the first time. It's notably very clean inside and out, obviously been fired but no appreciable wear per se. The barrel locking lug showing very light loss of finish as well as slide rails, ect.

Something did catch my eye as I was wiping down the outside of the barrel. Just before the tip, (the end where the bullet exits, not the breech) about 1/4 in from it, there is the finest of cracks. It's not very visible, but my fingernail just barely catches on it if I drag it across with a bit of pressure.

It goes about 3/4" around the circumference of the barrel, taking a "dip" similar to one you might see on an EKG printout if that makes sense. The barrel shows no sign of bulging. Inspection of the inside of it shows only a shiny bore, no cracks or flaws whatsoever.

Enthusiasm overrode any caution and I fired about 40 rounds through it. Cleaning it afterwards the crack showed no changes.

Have readers of the forum, and/or experienced guys that work on guns seen anything like this? Appreciate opinions!
 
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JohnKSa

Administrator
Those barrels are machined with a slightly larger diameter band of metal around the barrel at the muzzle.

This article contains a picture of one with the band of metal visible.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/rotary-action-autopistol-need-one/

Here's the picture. The PX4 barrel is the one at the bottom.

Rotary-action-6-1024x604.jpg


I suspect that what your fingernail is catching on is the edge of that band.
 
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Eric 53

New member
The crack is in front of that band mostly. It runs it's jagged edge almost all the way around, even dipping below it at one point. So sorry I can't share a pic, it's pretty unusual. Not from normal wear, but an honest to goodness crack.. like you might find on a windshield.

Anyway I'm now in the market for a replacement barrel as it's just too much for me to deal with. Thanks for the reply, much appreciated!
 
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JohnKSa

Administrator
That's a weird place for a barrel to crack.

If anything really bad (bad enough to cause a crack) had happened up in that area, I would expect enough deformation in the barrel to make the gun impossible to disassemble. If it's really a crack, I suspect it's been there since the gun was new.

I'm guessing you're seeing some kind of wear, but it won't hurt to get it checked out.

If I were in your situation, I would contact Beretta. If it's really cracked, I think they'll give you a new barrel since it's probably some sort of manufacturing defect if it is a crack. If it's not, they can check it out and let you know its ok.
 
P

Pahoo

New member
Magnaflux + 2

Find an autoshop with a magnaflux. That'll tell you if it's cxracked or not.
Click to expand...
Great advice and my thoughts when I read your post. The process is simple, fast. This test will definitely address your fears and doubts. …….. ;)

Be Safe !!!
 
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44 AMP

Staff
A crack goes all the way through. If it doesn't, its a scratch or a cut, or a groove or wear or something else but not a crack.
 
S

Seven High

New member
I suggest that you contact Beretta customer service. They will want you to send it in for an examination by a gunsmith.
 
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Eric 53

New member
Post script:

Found a very lightly used barrel for a good price. Took the pistol out yesterday and fired 22 rounds without hiccup. After combing the net finding no similar related experiences to my own, have chalked this up to a anomaly.
 
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JohnKSa

Administrator
After combing the net finding no similar related experiences to my own, have chalked this up to a anomaly.
Click to expand...
It's not an anomaly at all. It's actually pretty common for a new owner to find something that they misinterpret as a major problem.

I've done it myself, at least once.

You need to have Beretta take a look at that barrel for several reasons. 1. If it's really cracked, you'll almost certainly get a new barrel at no cost. 2. If it's really cracked, Beretta needs to examine it to insure that there's not a problem with their manufacturing processes. 3. If it's not cracked, you can either keep it and have a spare barrel or sell it and recoup some of the money you spent buying another barrel.
 
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