Why cylinder flutes?

[drclark]

This may be a dumb question but I have always wondered why "most" revolvers have cylinder flutes?

Personally, I like the look of a non-fluted cylinder on "modern" double action guns. The only reason I can think is that it reduces the overall weight of the gun. However, I would think that a non-fluted cylinder is cheaper to make than the fluted variety.

thanks,
drc

[tankerman]

Two answers I can think of,

1. Flutes lighten the cylinder
2. Increased surface area will allow heat to dissipate faster

[QuarterBoreGunner]

^ #1 yes, #2 not so much. Heating's not really that much of an issue in a revolver.

[Overkill]

Flutes also give you a means to index the cylinder when reloading quickly. Helps maintain repeatability and develop muscle memory.

[bwiese]

Probably in earlier days of gun metallurgy, a bit of lightening could be helpful for reducing wear on things like cylinder stops.

There's also a slight reduction in left-right 'width' on a six-shooter since there are flutes positioned on the left & right of cylinder when cylinder is locked in battery.

However, you'll still notice some 1800s revolvers having unfluted cylinders - Colt Walker, and maybe some of the Remington percussions IIRC.

As QBG said above, heating is less of an issue and the relatively small change in surface area caused by fluting isn't gonna make any difference.

[tankerman]

^ #1 yes, #2 not so much. Heating's not really that much of an issue in a revolver.

my guess is you have never fired a couple of hundred rounds through a 454 in a day

[bwiese]

my guess is you have never fired a couple of hundred rounds through a 454 in a day

That's an extreme case - besides, I again insist that the surface area delta btwn an unfluted vs fluted cylinder is so minimal that heat dissipation issues are moot...

[QuarterBoreGunner]

my guess is you have never fired a couple of hundred rounds through a 454 in a day

You would guess correct!
Ouch.

[tankerman]

That's an extreme case - besides, I again insist that the surface area delta btwn an unfluted vs fluted cylinder is so minimal that heat dissipation issues are moot...

I agree it is likely a moot point. But I can not prove that is the case, only speculate. Can you do the Math or are you just guessing as well?


But my goal was to show an extreme case. I frequently shoot 300-500 rounds through a revolver in a day and I bet there are plenty of folks that do the same. It does not take many 357's to heat up a cylinder.

[Crazyhorse]

To reduce the weight, same weight barrel in a fluted config is stiffer, and it does reduce heat slightly.

With that said... It seems 99% of the guns on the market in the fluted config are to look pretty/kewl/badass/sexy... any benefit shooting is a side effect.
I could be wrong but my opinion.. look at all the .22s with them

[Pont]

I would think a fluted cylinder would be easier to work with gloves, when wet/oily, under pressure, etc.

[rivviepop]

Google hit on THR, debating the same thing:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=24852

[slocum]

my guess is you have never fired a couple of hundred rounds through a 454 in a day

Or .38 special for that matter - though I'm sure the .454 gets considerably hotter in a shorter time.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

38 special for that matter

Ok this I've done; but if we're taking about "in a day" it's still not really a problem. 200 rounds... in a day? That's plenty of time for the cylinder to cool off between shots.

Now 200 rounds as fast as possible? Nope. Haven't done that. But I still figure case extraction would be the biggest problem associated with heating in a situation like that.

[Army]

I've noticed they appeared at about the same time the bored through chamber was patented. So, I'm betting on them actually being finger grooves to easier index the cylinder for reloading, then became "normal" for revolvers to have them.