The plant merchant scowled at Serenity as she was taking apart the rifle. "Stop it!" She said as she swung her right hand to take the rifle back. Red, at least that's what it says on his business card, swung his metal tendril towards the merchant. "She must see." He said very empathetically.

The external component in the barrel was incredibly small, just a small white spec, at least typically to the naked eye.