unfluted vs fluted cylinders on revolvers

tokguy said:
I recall reading that the notches for the Cyl stop are directly outside the chamber on a 6 shot but the cyl stop notch on a 5 shot is between the chambers.
IIRC the article was referring to the development of the .454 casull in the Freedom Arms revolver. Unless I interrupted it wrong it was built in the 5 shot platform to keep the cyl stop notches between the chambers for adding strength.
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yes that is true. and as pointed out, in some 6 shot rugers like the redhawk, cylinder notches are offsets to maximize the thickness in this area.
 
If the extra material of an unfluted cylinder is not in a location that sees high chamber pressures then it serves no purpose. You can only make something stronger by changing the design or adding strength where it needs it and is prone to fail.
 
I like fluted on modern day DA revolvers and 1873 SAA. I like unfluted on the classic looking 1858/1860 revolvers. But that's just me...
 
In theory a fluted cylinder will be lighter thus making the Double Action pull lighter as well; less mass will mean less inertia. This is almost a purely academic observation, since few, if anyone would notice the difference.
 
Pretty hard to beat the look of a smooth un-fluted cylinder on a Blackhawk or a Freedom Arms 83/97. On the other hand, fluted cylinders look better on the da/sa revolvers or SAA's and their replicas. Just my $0.02......
 
johNTO said:
...and more bangs per reload!
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I havnt shot mine yet, only just got the paperwork. The double action seems a lot more crisp then the 4.2 686 smiths ive had. Love that gold bead front sight. How many rounds ya got through yours, what can i expect?
 
Depending on the gun unfluted is required for strength. For example the Ruger Super Redhawk...fluted in 44 mag...unfluted in 454 Casull(and 6-shot!).
 
GunGuy34 said:
I havnt shot mine yet, only just got the paperwork. The double action seems a lot more crisp then the 4.2 686 smiths ive had. Love that gold bead front sight. How many rounds ya got through yours, what can i expect?
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The gold bead is surprising easy to acquire! The action is even smoother than what S&W is already known for. Maybe just me but this revolver is one of the most accurate revolver I have shot.
I have no doubt you will enjoy yours....
 
johNTO said:
The gold bead is surprising easy to acquire! The action is even smoother than what S&W is already known for. Maybe just me but this revolver is one of the most accurate revolver I have shot.
I have no doubt you will enjoy yours....
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Just got back from the Range. Your right! Shooting .357 mag through this gun feels like shooting .38 special +P. Recoil is very manageable, it it the best .357 revolver ive ever shot. Its so easy to keep on target, even double action. The gold bead is excellent! Way better then the 686 4.2 inch i had. Im not the best shot either but the gun makes even me seem accurate.

Now the 629 pictured seems to have issues now and then, The cylinder seems like it doesnt want to turn. I figured it must be the ammo as it functions fine when its empty. Seems like some of the ammo was bringing up now and then and making the cylinder stiff to turn. The pachmayr grips definitely helps soften the recoil, even though they fit kinda bad, not as snug as the hogues. I could see the primer on some of the spent casings, really pushed in. Bad batch of ammo maybe? It was factory American Eagle 240g JHP.

 
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