Revolver question

[Rob454]

Ok this is gonna sound stupid but what is the purpose of this

If you look at a revolver barrel say a 6 inch barrel like on my model 19. there is a piece of metal on the bottom of the barrel where the plunger/shell ejector locks into and its part of the barrel.
Sometimes that piece of metal stops 1/3 of the way down the barrel while in other guns the metal piece follows the barrel all the way to the tip.
What is the purpose of that piece of metal? To make the barrel stronger/rigid?
Now is there a actual advantage to the barrel having that extra strengthening rib. My model 19 has it just 1/3 down the barrel and after that is just the barrel itself while on my Taurus the strengthening rib traveled all the way down to the tip of the barrel

[MKT]

That is the ejector shroud, it is forged as part of the barrel and not an added piece. It's purpose is to protect the ejector rod from being bumped/bent or otherwise damaged. The shroud does add a bit of weight and some models (S&W 586 or 686 for example) have a full length shroud like your Taurus. The added weight of the full length shoud while making the gun slightly heavier does help to tame the recoil a bit.

[ojisan]

The longer ribs just put more weight towards the muzzle.
Full rib for range, short one for carry.

[Rob454]

So that's it? Just to add weight to the gun. i thought it was to make the barrel more rigid. i always wondered why but never remembered to actually ask

[ojisan]

The barrels are stiff enough as is...no support needed.
Used to be the ejector rods were exposed...but they got damaged / bent sometimes so the shroud was added.
Then came the Magnums, adding a bigger longer heavier shroud made recoil easier and provided some styling options too.
Note that S&W made a couple versions of the model 10 4" .38 special revolver...some with a thin, tapered barrel and some with thick heavy barrels for customers who wanted more weight out front even in a .38.

[INJUNTOM]

I'm thinking looks or rigitity would be why they do it, but it does help recoil a lot. My S&W 13-2 has a lot more recoil than my '90 era Rossi with the large under lug and also a thin top one when using the same ammo.

[randy]

A steady diet of 357 in you model 19 is going to "hurt" your gun. The 586/686 is Smiths way of paying omage to the Colt Python.

The 586/686 will hold up to 357.

I've got 'em all and by far my favorite is the model 19, I just don't shoot any 357 out of them.

[Rob454]

Yeah i got a model 19 with 6 inch barrel also. I haven't shot it yet.

[caldude]

Part of the reason for a full length under lug is asthetics - it just looks better than a half under lug IMO.

[9mmepiphany]

the ejector rod shroud serves another purpose on the S&W revolvers. there is a spring loaded plunger that locks the front of the ejector rod there, that and the rear of the rod locking into the recoil shield are holding your cylinder in the frame

[Rob454]

Part of the reason for a full length under lug is asthetics - it just looks better than a half under lug IMO.

Yeah that's the only thing I don't like about my S&W 19. just looks unfinished like someone just stopped working on the gun 1/3 of the way through.
I guess that's why I like the look of y old Taurus 44

[5shot]

Part of the reason for a full length under lug is asthetics - it just looks better than a half under lug IMO.

Yep, the Colt Python was the first one with a full lug. And ever since then other gun makers have tried,, without success, to make a revolver look as great as the Python.

[scarville]

Yep, the Colt Python was the first one with a full lug. And ever since then other gun makers have tried,, without success, to make a revolver look as great as the Python.

Yep. This has to be as close as anyone ever came:

[bjl333]

Look at the very early revolver pictures and you'll see that the shroud didn't exist. Especially the early Colts. The ejector was getting bent in use, so the shroud was added for protection.
Then came the Colt Python and the world changed !!! Thats the most beautiful handgun ever made.
The very first shroud ones were for function the latest ones are for function/looks/weight.

[5shot]

Yep. This has to be as close as anyone ever came:

Another close 2nd.