Sick of "bull" barreled revolvers

Meh, all of those older pencil-barrel S&Ws look like somebody cut a penny in half and soldered it to the end of the barrel.

I'm no more impressed by the look of the full-underlug on the 586/686 (and some of the new ones as well).

To me, there is nothing more elegant than the proportions of a 4" M-19/66. A 5" M-27 comes awfully close. :D
 
I'm another who likes tapered barrels. I didn't realize this myself until I had a 4" Model 29 (44 Magnum) and a 4" Model 24 (44 Special) at the same time. I found I liked the way the lighter, 24 handled better than the 29. Holding them side by side, the barrel profile jumped out at me. I suppose the slightly shorter cylinder plays in there somewhere also.

I've since come to the same conclusion about the Model 19/15, and the Model 13 (357) and HB Model 10/vs Model 10 tapered barrel. Give me the lighter, less muzzle heavy version.

The more powerful cartridge is almost never a factor for me. I use a handgun to punch holes in paper, or to relocate cans around the creek bottom and that's about it. Even my carry gun is a 38.

Except for the Colt Python, I don't have much use for a full lug barrel either. For some reason, I do like the Python.
 
I guess I am just not too discerning; I have pencil barreled model 10s and full lug 686s. I like the lines of them all. If I run across a heavy barrel model 10 I will not turn it down. My model 29 and 57 are half lug and look great to me. Actually, I do not seem to have a pet peeve about pistols at all. I need them all, or at lest a representative sample of them all.

David
 
I, too, prefer the tapered barrel look, but I can deal with the heavy barrel.

What I cannot abide by, however, is the full underlug barrel.

If I want an over/under shotgun, I'll buy an over/undershot gun.

I've passed up 586s on several occasions simply because I can't stand the full underlug barrel.
 
At 69 years of age, I'm a revolver fan. I find them to be very accurate and most are very pleasing to the eye. My favorite is the S&W Mod 19/66. However the prices on these are through the roof. Even a beat up one that has been dragged behind a pickup is priced beyond it's worth. The new S&W K frames have changed to a 2pc barrel. Now days, give me a Glock, M&P or XD for a CCW and less stress on the wallet. Poly rules!
 
I think that it is notable that so many on this thread refer to aesthetics and how they "feel" or "like" about heavy barrels and full under-lugs. Inasmuch as I like the looks of some guns over others, I am so afflicted also. However, I recognize the tapered barrels were likely a compromise that was most popular for police and others who had to carry a gun a whole lot more than they shot that gun and did not want the gun to pull their pants down when carrying. However, aside from looks, the full under-lug and heavy barrel are of benefit when actually shooting the gun. The extra weight facilitates steadier sighting and the extra weight allows faster recovery for the next shot.
In short, if you are going to shoot it, the extra weight and where it is located has an advantage. If you have to carry it on your person, pencil barrels and short or no lugs are the only place where weight can be sacrificed.
 
RIDE-RED 350r said:
Technically speaking, it is a 29 Classic being it has the full underlug... Just like a regular 629 as compared to a 629 Classic...Not to be confused with the current S&W "Classic Line" revolvers in which they offer the m29 and other "classic" models....
Click to expand...

Again I must contradict: It's a Model 29 that I had made up just as the Model 29 Classics were just being introduced. My original Model 29 had been returned to have the endurance package installed and because I had had so much trouble with failures, S&W gave me the 8 3/8" full lug barrel. I then had them make up the 5" full lug barrel on another Model 29.

Here is the 8 3/8" barrel they gave me:



This shot like a .30-30 rifle out to 100 yards or so, but too ungainly so had Memphis gunsmith Bob Mason cut it back to 6" for me.

If I'm not mistaken the Classic had an unfluted cylinder?

Bob Wright
 
Put me in with the big barrel boys.

The pencil barrels look kinda gimpy. Someone mentioned the Ruger Mk II. Those things look downright weird with the dinky 4" tapered barrel.
 
Bob Wright: Interesting story.. I must have missed it earlier in the thread. My apologies.

I have laid eyes/hands on a few 29 Classics and my brother owned one recently, scoped too... Dang fool traded it off for a Smith M&P9!! But I digress.... All 29 Classics I have seen had fluted cylinders. Possible there were some 29 Classic Hunters?? Many Smiths with the "Hunter" designation sport an un-fluted cylinder...

Fine looking 29 BTW! :)
 
The tapered barrel was the original profile for S&W revolvers.

I don't think that the heavy barrel came into existence until either just before or after World War II. I think it was done primarily on the magnum guns to add weight to help control muzzle flip, and on target guns to help with aiming.
 
I did a trade the other day with a gentleman on a S&W model 36 with a 3 inch barrel.

He traded me a Ruger Security Six 357 with a 4 inch barrel.
It has the narrow barrel, and it feels real good in my hand.

I'm not sure yet but I may keep this one, if not it will be listed on the guns for sale page of my website.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
 
Clear case of different strokes for different folks. Full lug/bull/slab side barrels have a purpose or intent. As do half lug tapered barrels. Fortunately for all of us we have all of the above options available to us.

Some folks whine about pink guns and some folks whine about no good wood and deep blue finishes anymore. Then there is those that whine about EBRs and tacticool stuff hangin' off them. Wah-wahh-wahhhh. Sometimes I get sick of the whining.......:D
 
 
I like the tapereds but the heavy bbl on my model 64 show is a shaweedee!!! EASY to show n' hit. STEADY muzzle. Not much drop.
 
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