Cylinder Flutes?

[Sharps Shooter]

I've seen new Smith 657s (.41 Mag stainless) in three different gunstores in the last week and they all had unfluted cylinders. Are unfluted cylinders any stronger? Why do most revolvers have fluted cylinders in the first place? Is it just for looks? I do prefer the looks of fluted cylinders, but that's just me. One of the gunstore owners I talked to told me the reason he ordered in the 657 he had was because it had an unfluted cylinder and he liked the looks of it.

 

[bakert]

I read an article by John Linbaugh and he says the unfluted cylinders are no stronger. I have a Super Blackhawk with the unfluted cylinder but personally think the the fluted cylinder make for a more handsome gun.

 

[Old Fuff]

At one time cylinders were fluted to reduce the already heavy weight of mostly-iron guns. Today it's a matter of cosmetics, or to add weight to help control the recoil of some Magnum cartridges. No, unfluted cylinders are not any stronger, all other things being equal.

 

[ribbonstone]

No stronger than the thinnest part...not fluting doesn't hcnage that, so the solid cylinders just add weight.

Some like the look...others (myself) think they look unfinished.

 

[ribbonstone]

No stronger than the thinnest part...not fluting doesn't hcnage that, so the solid cylinders just add weight.

Some like the look...others (myself) think they look unfinished.

 

[ribbonstone]

No stronger than the thinnest part...not fluting doesn't hcnage that, so the solid cylinders just add weight.

Some like the look...others (myself) think they look unfinished.

 

[Standing Wolf]

There's a lot more room on an unfluted cylinder for engraving.

 

[BBBS]

Also one less machining step, so cheaper to produce.

 

[Smith357]

Why do most revolvers have fluted cylinders in the first place?

I have heard a few reasons but do not know if they are true. I will present them and let you decide.

1. Flutes aid in indexing a single action revolver.
2. Cooling. More surface area, faster cooling.
3. Flutes give a place for excess powder fouling to go.
4. To make the gun lighter.
5. They are strictly for aesthetics.

 

[BlkHawk73]

No, no, no, just like flutes on a rifle bbl, the cylinder flutes reduce weight while adding rigidity and cooling benefits.

 

[ribbonstone]

Colt did make some full fluted cylinders, at least in the 1851 and 1860 percussions. Those have also been reproduced...kind of odd looking, with flutes extending all the way down the cylinder.

Having shot one of the repros, it was a mistake to make them that way unless the cylinder is nearly pefectly timed. Know the typical bolt drag marks on a cylinder?...now if there were no cylinder to drag on, all that spring tension would have to ride UP the flute and then pop down into the notch. Really makes for a build up a spring tensions and a "hitch" in the cycle.