Are there fluted cylinder 686 plus in production ?

[dekibg]

I have my eyes set on a 5 inch model , but looks like SW makes smooth cylender models only at the moment.
Some older YouTube videos show fluted models as well.
I know that mechanically doesn’t make difference , but aesthetically, I prefer fluted cylinder …

 

[Jonesy814]

Yes there are but,the 5 inch barrel length is only available in the 3-5-7 series of 686’s. These used to be TALO distributor exclusives before S&W and TALO parted ways. The 3-5-7 series has special wood grips and unfluted cylinders. If you are stuck on having a 5 inch barrel then I believe that is the only current choice available. You can get a 2.5”, 4” or 6” with flutes cut in the cylinder. In the past they have done a few other runs with a 5 inch barrel but not in the last 12 years at least.

 

[alfsauve]

You can always swap cylinders with another of the same engineering generation. My 5” Performance center start life as a 7 shot, but $100 later it magically became a 6.