[luke77]

Hello, my name is Lucas Thompson. My .40 caliber Smith and Wesson Handgun breech swelled after firing 150 rounds of ammunition. The barrel started smoking, & I stopped to let it cool, then I fired the rest. I notice on my .40 caliber brass, the Brass is swelled at the head. I cannot seem to find a place that has extra barrels for my firearm? Does anybody know where I can find an extra barrels for my firearm? I would like to find one that is hardened steel barrel. I believe the steel was very weak, a very weak weak barrel. I've shot firearms all my life and I've never had a barrel swell the firing chamber like that and the brass swelled at the head. With only three Boxes of Ammunition worth, 150 rounds. The weak barrel is a factory defect.

 

[luke77]

Some.40 S&W barrels have an unsupported base. It's a known problem with Glock pistols. Not sure about the S&W barrel feed profile. If the swelling of the brass was beyond the feed ramp area, this is a sign of serious overpressure.

Where did your .40 S&W rounds come from? Barrels should be pretty strong, and swelling indicates a very dangerous situation. Typically this can happen with improperly hot reloads, but was this factory ammunition? If so, what kind.

Personally, I would not shoot it if you have more of the same.

Firearms are proof fired in the final steps of manufacture. I'd be surprised if a barrel that wasn't properly manufactured survived that.

In any case, S&W is likely our only source for this replacement barrel. I would contact them in any case about inspecting the firearm under warranty if the ammunition you were firing was new manufactured.

These people list the barrel:

Smith & Wesson SDVE .40 S&W 4.25" Barrel, Stainless

Check out the deal on Smith & Wesson SDVE .40 S&W 4.25" Barrel, Stainless at MGW

www.midwestgunworks.com

Its swelling is right in front of the feed ramp. Not anywhere else. It was Winchester ammo. I noticed it got really Hot. I thought the frame was gonna melt.

 

[luke77]

Here are some pictures.

 

[luke77]

Would really love to see some pictures of the brass and the barrel to see what you are talking about and offer help.


Lost in the woods... Hopefully.

there is the pictures

 

[luke77]

Pics?

here are the pictures