nicky4968
Member
FWIW, I would love to have a Model 14 with the under lug.
I would love to be the King of Samoa, too.
I would love to be the King of Samoa, too.
Dump the full barrel underlug.
- Thread starter Mod 29 Shooter
- Start date
A full lug model 14 for target work would make sense. But, on everything else it is just adding weight to what is supposed to be easily portable. I think the only full lug gun I have is a 4" 16-4. Try and find a K frame 32 without one. I gave up and just made one
Re: OP. I was early in on the L-frame series. Had a six inch 586. W/ any load, .38 Special or hotted up Magnums, it was outstanding. Now in 2021, a six inch 686-1 is my go to for when something absolutely positively needs to be shot from hard off the muzzle right on out to beyond 100 yds. That thing is a shooting machine par excellent. The lugged barrel is to my eyes excellent in design and execution. While I own and love a number of excellent K-frame revolvers, I find over all that the L-frames are in my experience tend to be more accurate w/ a broad range of bullet weights/powder charges. This is written not to dispute your word or opinion. I most certainly hope it is not offensive to you or anyone else in the thread. It is written simply to express my own response to your post. I will say, there have been times I've thought of modifying a revolver... cut a barrel shorter, maybe have it milled for a replaceable front sight, cut for scope rings, etc. Never pulled the wallet and went ahead. Cutting the lug off a 586/686 is something that could be done. Perhaps this would solve your quandary. Sincerely. bruce.
Deceasedeye
Member
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What? How did you get in here with us nit pickers?
There's a place for both. I tend to agree that they have overdone incorporating the full-lug type barrel into every model, given how silly it is on something that hardly kicks - like a .22. 
On other guns, I actually prefer the "full-lug" design. Someone mentioned the Model 60. I like the little 3-inch Model 60-4 (and I would like the 60-10 too, if it didn't have that deplorable, ugly hammer ). It's a very handy gun for the outdoorsman. Underappreciated, I think.
I also like the 4-inch 586/686. (The six-inch... not so much, but I can live with it. But nothing longer.) Likewise I can live with a 6-inch 29/629 that has the full-lug barrel, especially if I am shooting a lot over a short period of time. People do that nowadays way more than they did when I started shooting. When I bought my first .44, most shooters I knew rarely shot more than half a box of ammo during any session. Now people shoot hundreds of rounds at a time - but I doubt very many are better shots for it.
S&W missed the boat big-time when they did not make a 4" 29/629 with the full-lug barrel. Yeah, they made a 5", but that's not the same thing.
It's a fun subject to kick around but there is no concrete answer for me, and S&W doesn't care much about the subject - and they care even less what I think about it. I like both designs in certain models. And I much prefer S&W's solid rib design over Colt's silly ventilated style.
On other guns, I actually prefer the "full-lug" design. Someone mentioned the Model 60. I like the little 3-inch Model 60-4 (and I would like the 60-10 too, if it didn't have that deplorable, ugly hammer ). It's a very handy gun for the outdoorsman. Underappreciated, I think.I also like the 4-inch 586/686. (The six-inch... not so much, but I can live with it. But nothing longer.) Likewise I can live with a 6-inch 29/629 that has the full-lug barrel, especially if I am shooting a lot over a short period of time. People do that nowadays way more than they did when I started shooting. When I bought my first .44, most shooters I knew rarely shot more than half a box of ammo during any session. Now people shoot hundreds of rounds at a time - but I doubt very many are better shots for it.
S&W missed the boat big-time when they did not make a 4" 29/629 with the full-lug barrel. Yeah, they made a 5", but that's not the same thing.
It's a fun subject to kick around but there is no concrete answer for me, and S&W doesn't care much about the subject - and they care even less what I think about it. I like both designs in certain models. And I much prefer S&W's solid rib design over Colt's silly ventilated style.
LittleCooner
Member
I think S&W is missing a lot of sales by not offering both ways, full underlug and the "mountain guns". I to hate the look of the full underlug. I had a 686 for a few years back in the 80's and despised it for trading off my 19 for this heavy, ugly gun. I have never bought a full underlug gun since the 686 left here over 30 years ago and never will. I have been lucky to find a couple of mountain guns in the last several years and love them and the looks. To each his own desires, like blonds , brunettes and redheads, but an uglier gun has not been built in the last 100 years that a S&W with a full underlug and an extra hole in the left side. I want a 617 mountain gun to go with my other ones, but then they do not listen at the factory.
Send me a 581 any day. I’ll take that burden off of you.
In the meantime cover your eyes.
This revolver, with a half lug barrel, would be fine.
IIRC, the L frame came out at the same time that many police agencies were going to using duty ammo for qualifications. As the K frame .357s were originally designed to be a "qualify with .38 specials and carry magnum loads on duty" revolver, using hot, light bullet .357 rounds was wearing out these arms. S&W brought out the heavier framed Ls and added the full lug barrels, mimicking Colt Python.
I shot several early L frame revolvers and while I liked the grip fit, since it was the same as the K frame, I disliked the full underlug. Way too heavy for a .357, in my opinion. While the N frame is a bit large for my hands, I prefer the balance of a M27 or M28 to the L frame .357s. If I wanted a smaller, lighter .357, there was always the Models 13, 19, 65 and 66.
For these reasons, I've never bought an L frame.
Model 10 style nub is best, looks good on all lengths.
Model 19 style partial looks good on 4in or longer.
Full length angled lugs look decent on some of the guns in a sci-fi chic kind of way.
Full length solid looks dopey on any length, but most passable on a 4in.
For me personally, with the kind of shooting I do, the better handling of a k frame is much more likely to give me better practical accuracy/speed (quick hits on vital size targets) than a small or even moderate boost in mechanical accuracy.
The Norseman
Member
Old Norseman comes along and throws water on the parade! 
I guess I more agree with him than not, but I do draw the line on the full-lug barrels when they’re longer than 6”-6.5”. An 8-3/8” needs a tripod - or at least a bipod. Silly thing to call a handgun.
I guess I more agree with him than not, but I do draw the line on the full-lug barrels when they’re longer than 6”-6.5”. An 8-3/8” needs a tripod - or at least a bipod. Silly thing to call a handgun. 
I always liked the underlug guns myself. When the 586 came out, I was in love. I wanted one pretty badly, but since I already had a 15, I started experimenting with, GASP, autos. I've since acquired a few other Smith revolvers but never got that 586. Maybe someday.
I have a 686 Mountain Gun. S&W should have made a lot more of them and the 617 Mountain Gun. I've been looking for a 617 MG for a long time.
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I stand opposed, why shave all that extra metal off !?!? Full lugs are georgus IMO, just me....
OP
Mod 29 Shooter
Member
I have three S&W revolvers, a 6" 29 44 mag, 4" 19 357, 8-3/8" 686 357 with a weaver 2 x 9 scope. All are pre lock and wonderful shooters. I purchased the 686 intending to deer hunt with it when I lived in Missouri. Had to move before I got the chance. Great shooting gun, best group (6 rounds, 50 yards from a rest) can be covered with a dime. I want a 6" 357 but I just can't imagine owning one with a full lug. I will find one, but now is not the time. Once the dust settles from current events I'll be looking again.
otis24
Member
Yep! I see that Ruger just came out with a half lug SP101.
