Possible barrel bulge
 

I have a GH 12 gauge. When I look down the left barrel, there appears to be a shadowy area beyond the chamber which looks too clean to be pitting. On the outside of the barrels, however, there is no sign of any expansion. These are no. 2 frame 12 gauge barrels and are thick as culverts. I was just wondering if a bulge would show up inside the barrel but not outside or what this imperfection could be?

frosted or maybe rippeling ??

Chambers recut out to 2 3/4" will appear that way. Not clean as when they are originally cut by the factory. Just my guess as I have several with that appearance. But is yours not done in the right side as well? Maybe someone only opened one side and quit for whatever reason?

Are you describing the forcing cone? It's the transition between the chamber and the bore.

Thanks for the responses.

Mills:
It certainly IS possible to have a "bulge" or ring inside the barrel that does not manifest itself on the outside. I've seen it more than once. The steel merely compresses on itself.

But from what you describe it should not effect your shooting. If a ring is what it is.

Well I checked them again and this time felt up and down the barrels and it is a bulge. There is a small bump which you can feel, but cannot see. :crying:

The upside is this was a rescue gun to start off with and it looks like I will just need another set of barrels for it.

Mills:
As I said, the flaw will NOT effect the way the gun shoots. Only you will probably know it's there. But if you can't live with it, send the barrels to Kirk Merrington and have him take the bulge out. It will be WAY cheaper then new barrels fitted up.

Thanks John. I will probably use this as an excuse to stop by Darlington Gun Works on the way to Sanford.

I am curious. If there really is a bulge there won't the barrel wall thickness be thinner in that area? If so isn't that where most of the pressure is generated, right near the forcing cone? Again I am not disagreeing but am curious.