[PlayboyPenguin]

I got into a disagreement with the little girl that works at the gunshop about which is better looking. A fluted cylinder or a non-flutted cylinder.

I much prefer the non-fluted. it looks rougher and tougher and has a simplicity to it that reall makes the gun look sleek and powerful.

Your thoughts?

Non-fluted
http://ruger.com/Firearms/images/Products/122L.jpg
Fluted
http://ruger.com/Firearms/images/Products/120L.jpg

[tuckerdog1]

It's a hard call for me. I suppose it would depend on the particular gun. Things like how beefy the frame is etc. The comparison you've posted...I can't decide.

What were the original reasons for the flutes anyway?

Tuckerdog1

[Iggy]

I like the traditional fluted cylinders, I am an old fashioned guy and like it the way it was..

I have to admit, I din't think them newfangled caplocks would ever replace a flintlock neither!!!:D

[salvador31c]

I Think the fluted has a :evil: look to it

[PlayboyPenguin]

Is non-fluted actually newer?

I would think fluted is the newer style. I think the non-fluted looks more old west and the fluted looks more New York cop-ish. Sort of 70's looking.

As for function, aren't the flutes just a decoration?

[kentucky_smith]

The 1873 Colt (the inspiration for the Blackhawk) was fluted.

[moewadle]

so I vote for the fluted. I like the history behind the these revolvers that all look something like the original SAA. I realize there were old revolvers that were non-fluted but....the SAA made the mold as far as I am concerned.

[BIERNUTS]

I've always seen fluting as a weight reduction

[kentucky_smith]

Fluted should be lighter, be more rigid and cool quicker. (It has more surface area, but less mass)

[HammerBite]

I've always seen fluting as a weight reduction
I agree. And weight reduction reduces the inertia of the rotating cylinder, which reduces battering of the cylinder bolt and the cylinder notches.

[MCgunner]

I voted "who cares". I like both. I had a handsome (to me, the one that matters) Rossi M971 stainless and it sorta stood out with its unfluted cylinder. I liked it a lot. The only revolver I currently have with an unfluted cylinder now is my Old Army and my .31 pocket Remington.

Flutes do reduce the weight of a revolver a tad, not that it's much. I guess that's about the only functional reason for them. I think it's mostly style and tradition anymore.

Unfluted cylinders are the traditional. Flutes didn't come along until the Colt Sheriff's to my knowledge and weren't really popular until the 73 colt. Early Smiths had flutes, though.

1847 Walker....

http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/img/media/823_l.jpg

'51 Navy

http://www.emf-company.com/images3/1861-navy.jpg

Smith and Wesson .44 American

http://www.ocyoung.com/images/AmerCloseL.jpg

[Marshall]

I know you just bought a non-fluted and it's beautiful in that gun. But, overall I prefer fluted. :)

[ribbonstone]

Non fluted still look unfinished to me...like they forgot something.

There were fully fluted 1860's..even some reproductions have been made of the "full flutes". Were a weight savings, but also complicated production at a time when U.S. govenemnt contracts counted the pennies...so returned to non-fluted to save a couple of steps in production and to make polishing/finishing easier.

[Standing Wolf]

Unfluted for me, thanks: more room for engraving.

[ewayte]

I voted for non-fluted as to me, it stands out in the crowd. That's how I found my NIB S&W 610 this year. Looking in the glass case at my dealer and that non-fluted cylinder stuck out like a sore thumb!

[moewadle]

I also read one article or ad or something published that said flutes make it easier to holster the revolver. Seems to make sense.

[S&Wfan]

I voted "Who cares as long as it is a revolver."

However, I love the way those Smiths look with the smooth, unfluted cylinders! They're hard to find . . . but the slight extra weight can be a plus in a hard kicking revolver when firing hot 300 grain lead bullets!

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/246/246167/folders/193542/1994490IMG1599b.JPG

[PlayboyPenguin]

Well, it looks like I was outvoted.

It really saddens me to see so many of you be oh so wrong and have such poor tasstes.:evil:

At leat 31% of you have it together out there.:D

[packarat]

I voted for the non-fluted, it gives the gun a raw look. I have a GP100 which is of course fluted, but given the chance (money :) ) I would replace it with a smooth cylinder.

I also have a '58 remmie and I sometimes, ok once a day, take it out just to check out it's simple beauty.

[SigfanUSAF]

Fluted cylinder is to revolver like .45 is to a 1911.

Should be that way, but if it's not, that's ok too.

[Moonclip]

I like the non fluted look but in over 50 revolvers owned or currently owned I've never had one!

[10-Ring]

From the choices you provide, I like the fluted but I have run acrosee wheelguns that looked really nice w/ the non-fluted. I guess it depends on the the specific firearm :D

[Majic]

I prefer fluting.

BTW.... fluting does help in loading. It gives your hands a reference of where the chambers are.

[Eightball]

It really depends. It's more of a style thing anyway.....the older BP arms (and similar cartridge-firing updates of the same) I think should be unfluted, maybe some of the more psycho-strong revos out there.....but I like the fluted look. it really just depends on the gun in question. sorta like a "blued vs. stainless" thing.

[Skofnung]

Who Cares?
I like them both ways.