On vintage revolvers like the old Colt Navy and others I really like the look of the non-fluted cylinders. However, when I look at modern guns and think about what I would actually buy I say, "Nah, get the fluted model". Does anybody else feel that way? What do you think of flutes vs. non-flutes. Maybe I should get a vintage revolver and hang it on my wall just to look at it and feel good.

I am the same way. I like the flutes and dont like the non flutes. I think some people seem to think the non flutes make a stronger clyinder but I have read it doesnt. I like the looks of the flutes, I like the idea it should make the revolver a little less weight. Untill I am convinced unfluting does make the revolver stronger, I will pass.

I like revolvers both ways. So look at the 25-7 below and tell me unfluted doesn't have a classic look.





Here is my 25-2 for the flute lovers

To me an unfluted cylinder on a modern revolver just looks unfinished.

I agree and consider that they cost less to make, but sometimes have a premium price because it is limited or "custom".

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Tony

On Civil War Colts and Remingtons, okay, and fluted Colt .44's then were thought to be of marginal strength.

The only gun I'd buy of modern vintage with a fluted cylinder is the Ruger Super Blackhawk.

Please make mine with flutes. Jerry in MI

Flutes, Please!

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

No flutes, more weight, no advantage.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I like them both. My Ruger Single Six has a fluted 22lr cylinder, and an unfluted 22mag cylinder. I can't say I prefer the look of one over the other. It does make telling them apart easier.

Unfluted cylinders never looked right to me on modern revolvers.

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FBINA, 204th Session

I like flutes but I also like trumpets and trombones too.

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S&W Model 15-3

It took me a while to warm to unfluted cylinders. But I did, eventually.






Not saying I'd choose to have unfluted over standard, just that I have found they've grown on me.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

On cap-n-balls, flutes belong. On modern cartridge revolvers "flute-less" looks like an unfinished revolver.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

I like them both ways. I have a unfluted 686, 627, 657, and wish I still had the 25. The other dozens are fluted. I admit, the unfluted cylinders do look a little strange at first. It's what you are used to. After you shoot an unfluted revolver for awhile they kinda grow on you. If you're going to carry one you won't notice the weight difference. I'm guessing the cylinder on the unfluted guns is probably a little stronger, but unless you tend to overload your reloads you're not likely to find out.

Is the purpose of fluting soley for weight reduction ?

Although I have one unfluted 629-2E 3 inch and I like it, I`d rather have flutes, they look so much better to me.

Flutes,please.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Unfluted looks more business/industrial/plain to me.

Some people like to drive old trucks.

On the right gun, they look good.

Non fluted is fine when extra strength/weight is a plus.

Fluted cylinders have my vote when cosmetics come into play.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

An unfluted cylinder looks better with a little engraving on it. I have a Ruger with engraving on cyl. that I like but on others I want flutes.

As long as the piccolos pick up the slack-I'm good.

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Forum consigliere

A revolver without flutes is like Aunt Jemima's pancakes without her syrup!

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War Eagle!!!

as long as it carries 6 +p blueberries, im good.
flutes do add a certain elegance i guess

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the rules? there are no rules

We don't need no stinkin' flutes. (I actually like 'em both ways)

For the most part, the non-top strap models (1851 Navy & 1860 Army types to name a few) were unfluted while the top strap ones (SAA type, Schofields, etc) were fluted. I've heard the reasoning behind this theory.
Today, flutes certainly save a small amount of weight and I don't think non-fluted offers any strength increase for a kaboom, so I can take them or leave them but IMO fluted looks better.

You are utterly reprehensible and devoid of redeeming social value. That's probably why you get so many likes.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I love cylinder flutes on double action revolvers I use them as a rest for my trigger finger as part of my preparation for my shooting on my target range.

On single action revolvers cylinder flutes are just plain ugly.

I think what looked cool about the old unfluted jobs was that the cuts made into the rear of the cylinder for percussion caps sort of broke up the plain lines. I don't think I want to have faux percussion nipples machined into modern guns.

I know this is an insignificant thing to bandy about, but those old pistols definitely looked like they meant business.

625smith,

The 25-7 looks very good! I've never seen one of these before. I do agree, it's a very classic look.

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Semper Fi

'round here that could get you nominated for Pope....Oh wait, never mind!

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paws for friendship

You do make a compelling argument Mac!

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paws for friendship

No flutes makes for an incomplete woodwind section...

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Rick, W0FG
CTR2 68-72

Fluted with wood, horn, or Ivory stocks!

I Like both.

Musical analogy,

Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson is most known for his flute but their number one hit (Aqualung) had no flute.

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Dum vivo cano

Ya beat me to the Ian Anderson reference.

Attached Images

Ian Anderson.jpg (21.8 KB, 6 views)

I'm not real particular...... as long as it's accurate and goes "bang" every time I pull the trigger, it can have flutes or not.

Don

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Laus Deo! <><

Definitely prefer flutes. Unfluted adds NO useable strength, AFAIK, and adds inertia to batter notches or cylinder stop. Added weight is usually not good, but when it is, it usually works best in the barrel.

IMHO you can't beat flutes. However I've seen a unfluted 610 that I would've been proud to own!

Hmm, Rotating mass. Never thought about it that way.

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Dum vivo cano

As I sit here working on a leather cigarette belt pouch, waiting for the dye to dry so I can burnish the edges, it dawned on me that an unfluted cylinder on a modern revolver is like a beautifully carved, handmade leather holster intricately dyed and finished and with unburnished, unfinished edges. I'm distracted from the beauty of the carving by the unfinished edges. It just doesn't look right to me.

With no flutes, what are all the cute girls going to play in the marching bands?

JT is one of my all time favorite bands and I never noticed this tidbit of information. I think when I hear that landmark album running through my head I hear flutes all over the place, but you're right, not on the title track.