Disadvantages of unfluted cylinders?

[Mastrogiacomo]

I'm hoping to pick up a 3" 686+ this year and have my eye on the Talo unfluted model. Given normal range use and carry, is there any real obvious disadvantage mechanically, or do they function the same as the standard fluted modes?

Laura

 

[BYJO4]

There is no difference in function or durability. If you like the looks of an unfluted cylinder, go for it.

 

[back40]

other than the very minor weight savings, i can't think of any differences.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Thanks for the replies. I'm actually thinking of getting both the fluted and unfluted. I love a good 686....

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Flutes make it a little bit simpler to index or rotate the cylinder by hand because your fingers tell you where the chambers are. That's about the only advantage, a very slight one.

 

[Glocktogo]

Two things come to mind.

Unfluted means more rotating mass. If you're shooting fast in DA, that's more mass to stop, which just adds a little bit to the cylinder stop and notch peening. I wouldn't consider it enough of a worry to not get one unless you're using it in action shooting competition.

If using it for action shooting, the flutes allow you to index the cylinder on the reload, making for a more reliable reload on the clock.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

The unfluted model would be just for normal use at the range, no competition. For carrying, I opt for the Glock 26 - the 686s are my fun guns for range and home.

 

[rcmodel]

Unfluted means more rotating mass. If you're shooting fast in DA, that's more mass to stop, which just adds a little bit to the cylinder stop and notch peening

This!

Cylinder weight is more then the little extra weight it adds to your holster!

Whether it can be proved it adds to bolt & notch preening in rapid DA fire or not?

I don't know.
But more rotating mass is more rotating mass when it has to be stopped very very suddenly each shot.

rc

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

With just normal range use, I don't see this as an issue.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Whether it can be proved it adds to bolt & notch preening in rapid DA fire or not?

I don't know.
But more rotating mass is more rotating mass when it has to be stopped very very suddenly each shot

It has been proven on multiple ICORE guns. It puts a lot of stress on the bolt and preens the the notches.

That is why serious competitors replace their Stainless cylinders with Ti ones.

The biggest disadvantage in defensive use is that it makes reloading in the dark much harder

 

[BlindJustice]

+1 on the weight issues.

The only otherr thing would be
an unfluted cyllinder might be
desired for engraving a scene
or animals full circle

R-

 

[BobWright]

One fault on cylinder flutes:

I was on the range with my Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt, and had just reloaded for another five shot string. I was cradling the gun in my left hand and began to raise it to firing position, cocking the hammer as I raised the gun. Suddenly felt a sharp pain in the heel of my left hand.

Yep, pinched some skin in the flute against the top strap as the cylinder rotated.

Bob Wright

 

[MrBorland]

I use the flutes to index the cylinder with my fingers during reloads, so I strongly suspect a disadvantage to me would also be slower reloads.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I was on the range with my Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt, and had just reloaded for another five shot string. I was cradling the gun in my left hand and began to raise it to firing position, cocking the hammer as I raised the gun. Suddenly felt a sharp pain in the heel of my left hand.

Yep, pinched some skin in the flute against the top strap as the cylinder rotated.

Betcha didn't do that again, didja?

 

[David E]

Many of the shortcomings of a non-fluted cylinder have been mentioned, but there's at least one more: a kydex holster molded to a fluted gun won't accept the non-fluted cylinder.

Either tell your kydex holster maker yours is non-fluted or go with leather.

One advantage is the cylinder is easier to clean.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I prefer leather holsters, so it's probably a non issue.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I use the flutes to index the cylinder with my fingers during reloads, so I strongly suspect a disadvantage to me would also be slower reloads.

I don't compete or anything, but I notice no difference in my reload time between the two I have the 3" version and love it. I also have a PC with flutes. So I can compare apples and apples. A competitor may notice a difference.

Unfluted means more rotating mass. If you're shooting fast in DA, that's more mass to stop, which just adds a little bit to the cylinder stop and notch peening

this makes total sense to me. I wouldn't want a non fluted cylinder if I competed in speed shooting. For normal range use, carry, or HD, I see no real disadvantage.

The Talos come with the case hardened hammers and triggers too. They are nive looking guns IMO, and I really enjoy mine. I put Karl Nill grips on mine too, as the grip just didn't fit me right. my fingers are too long, so I like a covered backstrap.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I just love the gun myself and will be getting both the fluted and unfluted. Since I don't compete or do rapid fire, I can't see any concerns having a gun that's unfluted.

 

[Drail]

I was always amazed that Ruger didn't offer only unfluted cylinders and rollstamp the entire owner's manual and the names and email addresses of their entire legal staff on the cylinder.

 

[Master Blaster]

I was always amazed that Ruger didn't offer only unfluted cylinders and rollstamp the entire owner's manual and the names and email addresses of their entire legal staff on the cylinder.

Ruger didn`t put the warning on their guns because they wanted too.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I don't compete or anything, but I notice no difference in my reload time between the two

Try reloading in the dark or without looking

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I hear that point frequently brought up, but since this is neither a carry gun or unlikely (for me) to have it on me at night, why is it an issue? There are better choices in handguns at night. It shouldn't be an issue at the range either.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Well, you did originally post:

normal range use and carry

and asked

is there any real obvious disadvantage mechanically

...so that was the question we're addressing

Also, my comment was address to the poster who posted that they couldn't detect a difference in the speed of reload...directed specifically at a comment about the lack of index with a non-fluted cylinder. It is the same disadvantage that you have when you don't draw a spare magazine using the optimal grip...you give up the ability to effectively index

 

[gamestalker]

Personally, I love the look of an un-fluted cylinder on a heavy framed revolver, not so much on a smaller one.

I'll tell ya what really gets my eye, a SS FA .454 cas..

GS

 

[HexHead]

Best of both worlds. Send that cylinder off to be engraved with an 1840's naval battle scene.