Thanks for all the info & advice!
I was able to find a gun store that would look at it and ship to S&W (they told different story of what was legal)
I was later told, as someone wrote, that you need to go to a UPS/FEDEX distribution center: heartbrun was that no one was very helpful!
Not sure how /why bushing got damaged, thought it was just gunk from shooting but closer check it looked like heat damage
I'm consulting on several projects that will keep me in this area for several more months, I get paid to fly home but have never needed to bring gun with me, i.e. drive to job from home with gun, fly home have back-up there
Other than the buying a gun from a personal add, which as noted is not 100% legal, I beleive that although it's a private sale you are required to know that they are a resident of said state. Am I correct that you can not buy a handgun in any state other than your home? Yes you can buy and have shipped to FFL in home state
So thanks again, it's hard to find help and I talked with several people all given different requirements, even the gun shops were less than helpful and had issue with out of state ID although I have non-resident carry permit!
sdg