Crack in pistol barrel?

Eric 53 · December 25, 2019, 04:12 PM

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!

Hawg · December 25, 2019, 07:19 PM

Are you sure it's a crack and not a scratch?

Bill DeShivs · December 25, 2019, 09:51 PM

It's probably where the barrel centers itself in the front of the slide.

**JohnKSa** · December 25, 2019, 11:32 PM

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/r...stol-need-one/

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

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

Eric 53 · December 26, 2019, 11:44 AM

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!

**4V50 Gary** · December 26, 2019, 11:45 AM

Find an autoshop with a magnaflux. That'll tell you if it's cxracked or not.

**JohnKSa** · December 26, 2019, 04:11 PM

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.

Pahoo · December 26, 2019, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Find an autoshop with a magnaflux. That'll tell you if it's cxracked or not.

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 !!!

**44 AMP** · December 27, 2019, 02:09 PM

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.

Seven High · January 4, 2020, 10:58 PM

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

Jim Watson · January 4, 2020, 11:10 PM

Agree. If there is any doubt, they will trash it and provide a replacement. Barrels are cheap.

Eric 53 · January 5, 2020, 07:18 AM

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.

**JohnKSa** · January 5, 2020, 10:14 PM

Quote:

After combing the net finding no similar related experiences to my own, have chalked this up to a anomaly.

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.

Emerson Biggies · January 5, 2020, 11:50 PM

Get a good picture of it and post same.

December 25, 2019, 04:12 PM	#1
Eric 53 Junior Member Join Date: December 15, 2019 Posts: 11	Crack in pistol barrel? 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!

December 25, 2019, 09:51 PM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	It's probably where the barrel centers itself in the front of the slide. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

December 25, 2019, 11:32 PM	#4
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,992	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/r...stol-need-one/ Here's the picture. The PX4 barrel is the one at the bottom. I suspect that what your fingernail is catching on is the edge of that band. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

December 26, 2019, 11:45 AM	#6
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Find an autoshop with a magnaflux. That'll tell you if it's cxracked or not. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

December 26, 2019, 04:11 PM	#7
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,992	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. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

December 25, 2019, 07:19 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Are you sure it's a crack and not a scratch?

December 26, 2019, 11:44 AM	#5
Eric 53 Junior Member Join Date: December 15, 2019 Posts: 11	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!

December 27, 2019, 02:09 PM	#9
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,846	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. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

January 4, 2020, 10:58 PM	#10
Seven High Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Posts: 650	I suggest that you contact Beretta customer service. They will want you to send it in for an examination by a gunsmith.

January 4, 2020, 11:10 PM	#11
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Agree. If there is any doubt, they will trash it and provide a replacement. Barrels are cheap.

January 5, 2020, 07:18 AM	#12
Eric 53 Junior Member Join Date: December 15, 2019 Posts: 11	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.

January 5, 2020, 11:50 PM	#14
Emerson Biggies Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2014 Posts: 163	Get a good picture of it and post same. __________________ Keep your guns clean.... the kids may put them in their mouths!