Barrel replacement

[CoffeeInMe]

If a person was to leave a new Marlin .22 long rifle bolt action with a friend or a gunsmith then how could you I tell if the barrel has been replaced with a older one ? I didnt mark the barrel in any way. Is there some way to tell or can the barrel be removed from the receiver very easily ?
Thanks

[bscman]

The barrel, I believe, is a slight "press" fit and also pinned.

Look for the obvious punch/press marks on the pin for starters---realizing there will be some markings there from factory installation.

Someone without the proper tools woud likely marr up the finish, and probably use a malled of sorts to "press" the old barrel out and the new one it. It would be fairly obvious. A good smith wouldn't leave many (any) marks.

Obviously, if a new barrel was replaced with an old used one, the barrel would show age/wear.

I can't see someone taking the effort to do that to a *friend* though. Especialyl since a typical marlin 22lr is under $200 to begin with.

[Keith L]

If you have either a friend or a gunsmith that would do that to you I recommend getting different ones.

[CoffeeInMe]

The barrel, I believe, is a slight "press" fit and also pinned.

Look for the obvious punch/press marks on the pin for starters---realizing there will be some markings there from factory installation.

Someone without the proper tools woud likely marr up the finish, and probably use a malled of sorts to "press" the old barrel out and the new one it. It would be fairly obvious. A good smith wouldn't leave many (any) marks.

Obviously, if a new barrel was replaced with an old used one, the barrel would show age/wear.

I can't see someone taking the effort to do that to a *friend* though. Especialyl since a typical marlin 22lr is under $200 to begin with.

Thanks for the help. I will check it out a little closer. My old one has several hundreds of rounds through it and my new one only has about 50 rounds through it. Im going to see if I can see any difference in the rifle grooves when I get time in the daylight.
Thanks again.

[CoffeeInMe]

If you have either a friend or a gunsmith that would do that to you I recommend getting different ones.

I couldnt agree more. Actually it was a gunsmith and not a friend. I was just trying to give some examples and not be bias. I will give further details I hope in a few days.
Thanks

[CoffeeInMe]

Well I dont believe the barrel was changed out. By the way I can not see much difference in the grooves when looking down inside the barrels and one has had many rounds through it and the other very little. Anyway my original question derives from a problem I encountered with having some Williams gun sights installed and without going into details about the situation I will just say that the gunsmith did make things right with me by giving me back my money.
Thanks again for the help.

[Oldtimer]

Unless your rifle is old enough to have had corrosive ammunition fired through it, hundreds of rounds will not show as wear in the barrel.  The only clue that I can think of would be whether known rounds shoot differently from the bench.  As each barrel shoots differently, it would show up as different preferences for ammo. 

[CoffeeInMe]

Thats interesting Oldtimer. Thanks for the help.