Pistol Barrel... what should I do with it?

branman4545 · Mar 27, 2016

I found what I am certain is a pistol barrel in a dried up lake bed located in a park near temple terrace / lutz Florida. This heavily wooded swampish park is nestled in a slightly bad area and I believe this is part of a pistol that was probably involved in a homicide. So my question is... what should I do with it? Its not as rusted as it looks in the pics and I estimate that its no more than 10-15 years old. I dont know if ballistics can be performed on this but should I turn it into authorities anyhow? I am going back to the spot tomorrow and will try to find the rest of it.

Keppy · Mar 27, 2016

If it was me i would put it in my scrap metal bin..

VonDigger · Mar 27, 2016

They might be able to do something with it, but more than likely, they will pitch it. Before you take it in, I would call them and let them know you found it and what hey would want you to do with it.

ErGarber · Mar 27, 2016

To be honest I wouldn't worry about it. Even with some rust it will give just enough difference in the ballistics to skew it. I wouldn't say its that old though. It looks to be from a smith and wesson.

austin · Mar 27, 2016

Take it to the police and tell them where and under what conditions it was found. It may be nothing, but it may also help solve a crime. Quien sabe?

stefen · Mar 28, 2016

Trash it and get on with life...

kcm · Mar 28, 2016

Personally I probably wouldn't have even brought it home in the first place. But after thinking for a minute, I'd have to wonder why it was there, for how long, and who threw it there. Could there be an unsolved case that this hunk of scrap might possibly solve? Beats me - haven't a clue! If you have suspicions about it, take it in and explain the conditions/situation and let them say whether it might be of any help or not. After all, can't hurt to ask, right? ...If you didn't care either way, I doubt you would have posted - so if nothing else, you could put your own mind to ease.

joee5 · Mar 28, 2016

Local PD would take it off your hands. You never know why it was dumped

ScubaDetector · Mar 28, 2016

First of all forget about the PD. There is absolutely no way they can do ballistics on it since rust would change the lands and groves in the bullet, even if they could fire it. Second is it from a semi auto or is it from a gun that was cut up?

If it was from a semi auto, I would keep it. You might find the rest of the gun. I have two real pistols and a barrel of another myself. I think they look awesome in my collection. I am hoping to find the rest of the gun I have the barrel to. Maybe one day and maybe not. However if you toss it away and then find the rest you will be kicking yourself over it. If it was from a gun that was cut up I would toss it. My free 2¢

Boatlode · Mar 28, 2016

Anonymously mail it to the po-po with a note explaining where you found it.

Unless you have nothing better to do than sit around a police station and answer questions.

ChampFerguson/TN · Mar 28, 2016

Looks kinda like a Glock bbl to me.
I say turn it in. Worthless on ballistics as noted above, but you never know what valuable info the mere location of the find or condition may have to the police. To me, finding just the bbl says someone was trying to hide the ballistics on something.

Probably nothing, but it also intro's you to some popo as one of the Good Guys.

Unclebuck257 · Mar 28, 2016

No one I have ever known cuts up a handgun, pistol or semi, and throws the parts in a nearby pond or small lake for no reason at all, no good reason that is. Call you local LEOs and ask them what they would like you to do with it. You never know how it may tie into some old cold case. Understand too, that they may just tell you to throw it away, but at least YOU did the right thing. Other than a few minutes to give it to them and give them the info of when and where you found it, your time will not be tied up much at all. It's really the right thing to do, no matter what anyone else says.

kcm · Mar 28, 2016

Sadly, each person has his/her own scale of "the right thing to do". Is too bad life couldn't be a bit more simple and everyone have the save values. But, then there would be no need for LEO's.

Guess that's why there are so many heated debates (which I can never seem to win). Each person certain that they are right. Suddenly a third joker comes along and tells them they're BOTH wacked! :evil5:

...Is a curious world we live in. :tongue3:

If it's bugging you, take it in. If you don't care, throw it away.

At the very least, they have trash cans at the station, also! :laughing7:

scotter1 · Mar 28, 2016

its to far gone to help solve anything but your own fears

ScubaDetector · Mar 28, 2016

Unclebuck257 said:
No one I have ever known cuts up a handgun, pistol or semi, and throws the parts in a nearby pond or small lake for no reason at all, no good reason that is. Call you local LEOs and ask them what they would like you to do with it. You never know how it may tie into some old cold case. Understand too, that they may just tell you to throw it away, but at least YOU did the right thing. Other than a few minutes to give it to them and give them the info of when and where you found it, your time will not be tied up much at all. It's really the right thing to do, no matter what anyone else says.

Not saying it was cut up. Maybe disassembled. I have some experience in this being an ex- cop and in finding two guns myself. I have them both in my possession now along with the barrel of a third. The large Taurus 357 was deliberately tossed in a lake by the owner. He didn't want to sell it and he didn't want it any more. The 7 shot 22 derringer and the 22 barrel we have no idea why they were drowned. I can give you stories on all three finds. I also believe there is a 45 auto in the vicinity of where I found the 357. The police won't be able to do anything with only the barrel. They won't spend the manpower looking for the rest of the gun. They don't even know if it was used in a crime.

OP. Do what you want with it. Your find and your choice.

GA_Boy · Mar 28, 2016

Keppy said:
If it was me i would put it in my scrap metal bin..

What he said.
Marvin

cache finder · Mar 28, 2016

Very cool, I would drop it off, doubt they can use it, but would put your mind at ease.

branman4545 · Mar 28, 2016

Thanks for all the advice, I'm about to try to find the rest of it and if I do find more parts i will turn it in most likely. Btw that's insane finding a whole .357!!

Frankn · Apr 1, 2016

it looks like a Glock barrel. You can change a Glock barrel in about a minute or two. Was probably involved in a crime and dumped. It's useless for prints or ballistics purposes, but if it was the original barrel that came with the gun, it would be stamped with the serial#. If it has a serial#, turn it over to the police. If not, scrap it.
Just my opinion, Frank

Pinball · Apr 1, 2016

I would take it in to the Boys in Blue and while you are there give out a couple of business cards explaining the hobby and offering to help if they ever need a hand looking for anything metal

Never hurts to show us in a good light and you just might get some permissions out of it.