Is this barrel damaged?

[American1776]

This is a NIB, never fired, Beretta 96a1 in .40 S&W.

There appears to be a mark on the barrel, right on the chamber. It looks like a stain of some sort, but I can’t be sure. It runs around the barrel, but does not go all the way around. It is not concentric with the frame.

I looked inside the chamber, and it looks perfect inside.

What worries me is this is where the chamber fails in a Kaboom.

Any clue what it could be? Is this gun safe to shoot? Thanks.

[olderguy]

NIB? I would return it.

[ianb1116]

Is the "ring" tangible? Is it raised from flush?

It could be as simple as a spot of heavy oil vs dry everywhere else.

If it is not tangible, I'd shoot it and stop worrying.

As for the "return it" option, YMMV but its just cosmetic (and hardly noticeable at that) I say keep it and shoot it. That's about as clean as they come.

[American1776]

Is the "ring" tangible? Is it raised from flush?

It could be as simple as a spot of heavy oil vs dry everywhere else.

If it is not tangible, I'd shoot it and stop worrying.

As for the "return it" option, YMMV but its just cosmetic (and hardly noticeable at that) I saw keep it and shoot it. That's about as clean as they come.

Thanks. There is no tangible bulge that I can feel in that area

[spartakis252]

Have you tried using any cleaners or oils on it?

[RockIsland]

Thanks. There is no tangible bulge that I can feel in that area

A lot of us have that problem.

[MARINE DIVISION TWO]

Appears cosmetic.

[Xringshooter]

It looks cosmetic to me also. If there isn't anything noticeable internal at that same spot, myself, I wouldn't worry about it.

[MT1]

By PAFOA standards that will qualify it as a custom, one-of-a-kind, rare model that goes for above retail value when you want to sell it.

[bripro]

As previously stated it doesn’t appear damaged.
On a side note I see it’s loaded, if it hasn’t been fired it I recommended getting it out for a test run before depending on it for defense.