fluted or non?

[patentmike]

I always assumed the idea of fluted cylinders was to get rid of extra weight that wasn't doing anything. But then again, what the heck do I know? Is there any real world advantage to non-fluted cylinders?

 

[Standing Wolf]

I like the look of unfluted cylinders, but have no doubt they weigh slightly more.

 

[Black Majik]

dunno the reason for them either but I like the look of unfluted cylinders more also.

 

[patentmike]

I like the look too. Just wondering if there was an engineer's reason for doing it one way or the other.

 

[BluesBear]

No real advantage as far as strength. The thinnest point is still between chambers. (Not accounting for locking notches that are cut over the chamber)


Personally I much prefer the look of fluted cylinders. Except for those "flared" flutes S&W puts on some of their scandalminimum ones.

I guess it's all what you're brought up with.

 

[Majic]

Ease of indexing the cylinder when loading.

 

[P95Carry]

Aesthetically ..... I find fluting pleasing ... certainly in the traditional S&W sense. It does not weaken cylinders (IMO) .. see diag below ....... but certainly, when costing for machining ...... it's a process that's good to leave out!

I have numerous wheel guns with no flutes ... they look just fine ... but for sheer beauty, it is hard to beat! The most influential thing with cyls (again in IMO) - is the placing of cyl bolt notches. They can make the chamber wall thickness very diminutive!!!

 

[Old Fuff]

The original purpose of the flutes was to reduce weight. The first 1860 Army Colt's were fluted from one end of the cylinder to the other, but this was quickly dropped because of war production. Thereafter flutes were generally used for cosmetic effect. You either like the look or you don't.

 

[shep854]

I used to own an early Rossi 971, SS, 6' with an unfluted cylinder. I thought it was a very nice-looking gun. Shot good, too, though the trigger was rough.

 

[Navy joe]

Doh! Crappy gov't internet!

 

[Navy joe]

Dryfire done wonders for the trigger finger

 

[Navy joe]

I think a non-fluted cylinder looks really nice on the big bore guns like some of the newer Super whatever Rugers and custom jobs. everywhere else, I like the flutes. I took my stainless 625 cyl. and polished the crap out of the flutes while leaving the cylinder matte, looks pretty nice I think.

The first 1860 Army Colt's were fluted from one end of the cylinder to the other, but this was quickly dropped because of war production

Now there's an idea! This thing is for IPSC, our guns are supposed to look stupid, maybe I'll flip the cyl. in the mill and run the flute all the way back!

 

[Coronach]

Bump fire much?

Mike

 

[Nightcrawler]

Whether or not I prefer a fluted cylinder depends on the overall look of the gun.

On "modern looking" revolvers, with full underlug, heavy barrels, I think the non-fluted looks more fitting (like the 610, for instance. I think the GP100 would look better with a non fluted cylinder as well).

On "traditional looking" guns, like my 25-5 and my former 57, a fluted cylinder looks like it belongs.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Expense....non fluted cheaper to make.

Looks...I like fluted, personal thing.

Function....flutes mean less cylinder mass. Less mass means less wear and tear on the lock work during RAPID fire.

Sam

 

[dairycreek]

Dear patentmike!

Some time ago I was faced with the question "fluted or non fluted" and there were the usual rumors of one cyllinder being stronger or weaker than the other. So, I called the folks at Smith & Wesson and asked them point blank what the differences might be in the two cylinder types. Their answer, no strenght difference at all - only difference cosmetic and visual appeal. So I bought the unfluted. Good shooting

 

[patentmike]

I think this 4" 629 looks pretty cool with the non-fluted cylinder.

 

[Majic]

I think the non-fluted looks more fitting (like the 610, for instance.

The original, first issue of the M610 had the fluted cylinder. Personally I think it's a much nicer looking revolver.

 

[FRIENDLY]

fluted cylinder

partly reason of weight but also originally because of dirty black powder gumming up the works

 

[BluesBear]

And just how do flutes on a cylinder do anything to alleviate black powder fouling?









Oh yeah... they don't.