629 barrels

[smith629]

According to the S&W catalog there are two very similar 629 models, the 6" (163606) and 6.5" (163638).





As you can see in the 1st photo, the 6" barrel it notched on the bottom, ie. doesn't have as much material as the 6.5". Why is that? Just aesthetics or is it for added weight? The 2nd gun is only 3oz heavier BTW.

[Josh]

Why is that? Just aesthetics or is it for added weight? The 2nd gun is only 3oz heavier BTW.

Both

[Twinspool]

That is referred to as the partial and full underlug. Colt popularized the full underlug on the Python so other manufacturers followed suit. Some rationalize the full underlug by touting the added mass on the muzzle end as helping to reduce flip. Personally, I'll take the much easier to point partial underlug any day. Dropping the polar moment of inertia makes the gun loads easier to handle.