Purpose of Unfluted Cylinders?

[Ribwizzard]

I could see if they took advantage of the smooth cylinder to do some cool engraving, that would be cool, but left smooth it looks unfinished. The should engrave bullets on the outside. Or frame it so that when you spin it,, there is a little Indian dancing or something

 

[shocker]

NO ADDED strength. The thickness of the outside of the charge holes and the bolt cut depth remains the same. Really equals less machine work for the completed product.

Not a fan of unfluted cylinders myself. With the speed that CNC machines work, how long does it take to mill 5,6,7 flutes? 5 seconds? Could see the unfluted cylinder as a canvas for an engraver but that's it.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Unfluted cylinders look cool.

 

[mike from st pete]

Fluted cylinders look "Right".
Doubtful if there is any difference in performance, just an aesthetic thing.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I've ask that same question to myself. Probably just makes it easier to manufacture since less machining is involved. Sort of like a semi-auto pistol without serrations on the slide. ... I imagine it makes both cylinder and slide a little more slippery to hold.

 

[rogerwnuss]

First ones I had were Ruger Blackhawk single action convertibles, 45 Colt/ 45 a.c.p. or 357/9mm. I always thought it was to differentiate the calibres.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I have noticed, that it does make the cylinder more slippery when cleaning and harder to spin;when its covered in oil, without the flutes! The flutes make it easier to spin when it's got oil, when I run the mop through the charge holes.

Maybe it's just me, but I've noticed unfluted cylinders in 357 mag handle the recoil better, especially with stout loads. Perhaps I perceive a difference thinking the cylinder has more mass....


Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[RMFnLA]

...the five shot ones put the cylinder locking notches between cylinders instead of over them...

This is true regardless of flutes or no flutes.

 

[RMFnLA]

On the right gun they look cool as hell.

Agreed.

They remind me of blackpowder Colts and Remingtons and on some guns they look great.

 

[rct269]

Don't overlook the possibility they actually thought about a benefit to the shooters----once again.

There are some strange grooves on the sides of the frames of 2nd and 3rd Model single shots---also a very fancy relief on the bottom of the 3rd Model barrel lug----which only needed to be flat. Why'd they do that? Aesthetics----that's what I thought.

Then I thought some more. I thought if they spent time I was paying for messing around with some artsy-craftsy stuff, heads would by God roll!! And noticing those grooves were in the same place on the 2nd and 3rd Models (which have different frames), I thought some more. Then I thought about the 3rd Model's flat frame floor----which didn't need to be flat.

Then I thought about weight difference----and where the weight was---or where it wasn't in this case. Then I hung a 1st Model by its trigger guard on a rod----same for a 2nd and a 3rd----side by side.

Guess what?!! All three hang pretty much the same----three different guns which played a big role in putting S&W target guns on the map for over 30 years------all balance dang near the same.

Then I decided maybe it was alright if those folks messed around with artsy-craftsy stuff---and maybe they'd come up with another good idea if I just left them alone----maybe even give them a little raise.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Czechvar]

What if the first Revolvers had been unfluted? And someone recently decided to add Fluted Cylinders for aesthetics? Would you feel the same?

I personally prefer unfluted with no IL...looks cleaner and less fancy. I'd like it if all the models came in both Fluted and unfluted...But no IL on either.

 

[Rpg]

I suspect the unfluted cylinder was adopted as a manufacturing cost savings device.

 

[jtcarm]

None whatsoever.

On a competition gun that is cycled fast and a lot, the increased mass causes increased wear on the notches, because they crash in to the cylinder stop with more force.

 

[TomkinsSP]

I wonder, in an ECQ context, if it would be harder for an assailant to grip an unfluted cylinder.

 

[CajunBass]

What if the first Revolvers had been unfluted? And someone recently decided to add Fluted Cylinders for aesthetics? Would you feel the same?

I personally prefer unfluted with no IL...looks cleaner and less fancy. I'd like it if all the models came in both Fluted and unfluted...But no IL on either.

Colt's cap and ball guns had unfluted cylinders, at least as best I can tell up to the 1862 police revolver. Even later actually, the Navy and Army models were also unfluted.

 

[df06]

The purpose of unfluted it primarily to create something different for us to buy. I have owned some. Also called marketing.
I would think it adds some strength, but I'm not hearing of any fluted cylinders being blown up, by normal loadings.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

None whatsoever.

On a competition gun that is cycled fast and a lot, the increased mass causes increased wear on the notches, because they crash in to the cylinder stop with more force.

That applies to ALL revolvers.

 

[RMFnLA]

Colt's cap and ball guns had unfluted cylinders, at least as best I can tell up to the 1862 police revolver. Even later actually, the Navy and Army models were also unfluted.

Remington, too.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

None whatsoever.

On a competition gun that is cycled fast and a lot, the increased mass causes increased wear on the notches, because they crash in to the cylinder stop with more force.

This is wholly untrue!

I have a fluted 686,627 and 629 with cylinder notch damage(peening?). So, there's damage because they are fluted? The argument can be on the contrary as well.

IME, it's the constant use and heavy magnums that ruins a cylinder. Not because its unfluted.


Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[CLASSIC12]

I like the looks

Would love a 610 with an unfluted cylinder