What is a "bull" barrel?

[ray2849]

I am interested in buying a model 41 and have found that new ones are very hard to find. Used ones with a 5.5 inch barrel are available in several places but some advertise a "bull" barrel and others just say 5.5 inch barrel. Is there a difference? On S&W's site for the product I don't see anything like this listed as an option.

Also if I buy a used one, what should I be looking for other than external physical appearance?

 

[H Richard]

There is only one 5.5" Mod 41 barrel, and it is sometimes referred to as a Bull barrel as it is a heavy barrel. Using snap caps, try the trigger. preferably shoot it. Most 41's are used in competition and are pretty well taken care of. If the outside is beat up and appears neglected you can be assured it wasn't treated well. With 41's it is probably the exception to find a bad one.

The trigger is adjustable, but tricky to do. Most are about 2.5 lbs out of the box.

 

[GerSan69]

A bull barrel is one that doesn't have a discernible taper. It normally has a noticeably thick diameter.

 

[cubguy]

There are aftermarket target barrels for the 41 that could be referred to as "bull barrels"

 

[JSR III]

Bull barrel is big and strong like "bull"

 

[625smith]

Now that's a bull barrel

 

[fyimo]

I had both a 5.5 inch Model 41 and a 7 3/8 barreled model 41 with a factory muzzle break and the 5.5 inch was noticeably thicker hence the name bull barrel. It's really hard today to fine the longer barrel with the muzzle break in decent condition.

I the one you are looking at is the 5.5 it's what is called the bull barrel.