Revolver Question

[2cool9031]

Does anyone know why revolvers have fluted cylinders? I can't see any purpose they serve. Other than taking away a little weight? Maybe decoration?

 

[redneckmedic]

Fluted, you mean the jump to the lands from the wheel?

 

[2cool9031]

I mean outside flutes located inbetween the chambers. I have a Ruger single six and the .22LR cylinder has them and the .22 mag cylinder does not.

 

[kingnereli]

flutes are for the reasons you mentioned.

 

[2cool9031]

I also thought it might be a throw back from the Colt peacemaker days ...when the cylinder had to be rotated and each empty had to be ejected one at a time. It might of helped with the rotation of the cylinder.

 

[mospeada]

You hit it on the head, aesthetics and weight savings.

 

[cce1302]

Generally, yeah, just to save weight.

I like the aesthetics of the smooth cylinder for some applications. It looks ok on the single six 22 mag cylinder (I have one, too).
The new design of the cylinder on the Ruger LCR is pretty cool. Rather than cutting chambers and fluting into a cylinder, the design looks like the chambers were made as-is, rather than cut in as an afterthought.

 

[Claddagh]

There used to be at least one solid, practical reason for them back when BP was the only propellant: They acted as channels to direct a good deal of the fouling away from the face of the cylinder. This helped to slow the accumulation of fouling there so that more rounds could be fired before functioning started to be impeded. They also reduced the mass of the cylinder, which translates into less inertia and reduces the amount of force needed to cause it to rotate.

With the advent of DA revolvers the latter reason became more important, as is helped a lot to effectively increase the mechanical advantages in the mechanism and increased its efficiency while reducing both the force needed to cycle it and the amount of stress placed on several small, critical components, especially the hand, cylinder ratchet and locking bolt.

This helped yield a reduced DA pull effort and longer service life.

 

[No Time to Shoot]

There used to be at least one solid, practical reason for them back when BP was the only propellant: They acted as channels to direct a good deal of the fouling away from the face of the cylinder. This helped to slow the accumulation of fouling there so that more rounds could be fired before functioning started to be impeded. They also reduced the mass of the cylinder, which translates into less inertia and reduces the amount of force needed to cause it to rotate.

With the advent of DA revolvers the latter reason became more important, as is helped a lot to effectively increase the mechanical advantages in the mechanism and increased its efficiency while reducing both the force needed to cycle it and the amount of stress placed on several small, critical components, especially the hand, cylinder ratchet and locking bolt.

This helped yield a reduced DA pull effort and longer service life.

Great Post! I never knew that...learn something new every day.

 

[Redskinsfan]

I also thought it might be a throw back from the Colt peacemaker days ...when the cylinder had to be rotated and each empty had to be ejected one at a time.

As do all single action revolvers, now and then.

The weight and aesthetics were two of the reasons.

Best regards,

Terry