This is all very exciting and new to me. I have been around firearms since I was about 10, but I never was in to wheel guns. They are fascinating! So I keep seeing "pinned barrel" What is it? How is it done? How can you tell if a pistol is or isn't pinned? Advantages, disadvantages? Why did they change? Any other insight on the whole "pinning" subject or further sources?

Recessed: again, what, how made, how tell, +'s & -'s, any additional info on subject or further sources?

Fluted cylinder: Same questions. Or maybe is there a thread on basic terminology I missed? Thanks for any help.

Also, specifically a friend of mine has a really nice M13-4 with the 3" barrel. How do you tell if it is or is not a "Heavy" barrel? I'll have pics tomorrow I can try to post or email anyone.

__________________
CCCP = Illinois

1. All model 13's are heavy barrel
2. 13, 13-1 and 13-2 are pinned and recessed, 13-3 and later are not

Here is a video that explains it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyc6HIQ97p0

So I keep seeing "pinned barrel" What is it? How is it done? How can you tell if a pistol is or isn't pinned? Advantages, disadvantages? Why did they change? Any other insight on the whole "pinning" subject or further s

A tiny pin passes threw the frame of the gun near were the barrel enters the frame, the pin keeps the barrel from unscrewing and serves as a lock.One would need to be removed the pin in order to unscrew the barrel.This pin is very noticeable once you see one.S&W stopped using this method of securing the barrel and switched to a force fit, most likely because it was cheaper to manufacture and required fewer steps to manufacture, no hole to drill.

Recessed: again, what, how made, how tell, +'s & -'s, any additional info on subject or further sources?

Each chamber or hole in the cylinder (this is the part that holds the bullets) is slightly recessed allowing the rim of the cartridge to sit flush or almost flush with the cylinder face, this recess is only a mm or so deep and also serves to support the case (Bullets)rim.S&W found by reducing the cylinders length and not recessing each chamber they could accomplish the same thing and it was cheaper to make.

Recessed and pinned are considered desirable features, mainly because they required more effort in manufacturing and to do them correctly more hand fitting.

Hope this helps
Penmon

WOW! Great guys! Thanks a ton. The one I'm looking at is a 13-4 so it is not pinned or recessed. But it is still real nice - I think it was born in 1992. I'll try to keep on learnin.

__________________
CCCP = Illinois