Banded vs Octagon for Balance/shootability

[Snyd]

First off I want to say thanks to you all for the great input and advice as I build my first custom in my brain. I am relying heavily on your first hand experience. At this point its still in my minds eye but but hope to have it in a smiths hands in a couple months. The only "for sures" at this point are Blue, sheep horn and 500L.

My question here has to do with the typical 5.5 banded barrel compared to say a 6 inch octagonal barrel in a 500L. Not aesthetics, that's personal preference. But rather in balance, recoil and overall feel. I've read that the banded barrel serves to dampen recoil somewhat and help with balance. Does the band really make that much difference? Is an octagonal barrel generally heavier than a round/banded barrel? Would there be much difference in balance between a 5.5 banded and 6 Octagonal?

Thanks again. Great bunch of guys here.

Perry

[AxeHandle]

Weight? Balance? It is a cometic thing. What do you like? For equal barrel lengths, if your concentration on the front sight is what it should be, you will never know the difference in an octagon and banded barrel.. Blue or stainless will not be apparent either..





Dang! They are all stainless aren't they!

[Thunderjet]

Can't give you concrete answers for your questions but might be of some help to you. Recently ordered a Freedom Arms and they told me the octagon barrels were slightly heavier than the round ones. I think in the end it would depend on the outside dimensions of either barrel. And since it is a custom, you could most likely specify the barrel diameter for a round, and maybe even the octagon.

As far as balance goes (and looks) the barrel band would be my choice. I would rather have the revolver slightly muzzle heavy than muzzle light. But here again, if you can specify the outside barrel diameter maybe the band is not needed, but it sure looks awesome!

Here is an interesting thought. Why not a barrel band on an octagon barrel? Never seen it done before. The more I think about the idea the more I like it.

[AxeHandle]

Think you might change your mind when that knob on the end of your barrel hangs up and/or chews up that fine piece of leather you carry it in?

[AxeHandle]

Hard to beat round and slick!

[bushog]

Hey Axe, If you wanna get rid of that holster chewer with the sheep horn grips just let me know!

[AxeHandle]

Don't even be thinking I don't really like every one of mine.. Holster chewer or not!~

[Lee Martin]

On 5.5" 475's and 500's I prefer the look of a banded barrel:



I find they balance a little better since the blank itself is lighter (ie, bigger bore). That plus it does support the ejector housing.

On 5-shot 5.5" 45 Colts and below I like straight contour.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[buckheart]

Another valuable discussion as I envision my first custom. I am pretty much sold on the idea of a blued gun, color cased hardened frame, 6" barrel with a barrel band. Still thinking about fluted or non fluted cylinder.

[Snyd]

Ok, so I gather so far that as far as balance/shootability there's probably no discernable difference, that it come back to what you like most. In that cast either one of these will do

I sure like the looks of this one axehandle. I can't remember, what caliber is it?

Mar 23, 2012 18:56:52 GMT -5 AxeHandle said:

[sixshooter]

That's a real work of art Lee. 475 or 500 and who did the wood? The grain is amazing!

[2 Dogs]

You can also be different than every one else by using a rebored Smith and Wesson barrel.

[AxeHandle]

My Linebaugh custom with sheep horn by Dustin is a 475... IMHO the grips make the gun.. I'm thinking Dustin could put grips on a banana and we'd all froth at the mouth..

[tas6691]

Axe, who built the stainless Ruger in your 1st post last pic? Looks like my Gallagher....


I like short round, slick barrels myself, but as Mr Dawgs said, a S&W barrel looks and feels "right" also...

[tas6691]

Oh Axe BTW...dibs on the Reeder Improved #5 44 special when you get ready for it to find a new home!! That is a really cool sixgun!