Full Length Extractor Shrouds of S&W Classics

["DoubleAction"]

When the first full length Extractor Shrouds first appeared on the S&W revolvers, with the introduction of the 586, I fell in love with it at first sight. This was the closest I was going to get to the looks of a Python in the S&W lineup.
After over twenty years I saw more use of the full length extractor shrouds on the S&W revolvers, and began missing the time when the barrels stood out on their own with the standard length shrouds.
The Python, with it's own full length shroud, is enhanced with the vented rib going down the length of the barrel.
The added weight of the shroud does assist in controlling muzzle flip in the longer barrel mid frames, but I still favor the standard length shrouds in the four inch barrels of S&W.

[TMan]

DA, I don't have a clue what you are talking about. Can you provide a picture showing the differences?

["DoubleAction"]

TMan; Some refer to these as full underlugs. I'll post a few pictures to compare for yourself. I give first prize, in the full underlug catagory, to Colt's Python and first prize in the standard shroud catagory to the S&W model 29. Notice how the bore diameter and barrel seems to stand out on the standard shrouds. Blued revolvers seem to look good in both.

A few of the full length extracter shrouds:

S&W 586

S&W 686

Colt's Python

S&W 629 Classic DX

S&W 29 Classic

The Standard Extractor Shrouds

S&W 29

S&W 29

S&W 27

[MLB]

That is one impressive collection of revolvers. I'm looking forward to the day when I finally pick one up.

["DoubleAction"]

MLB; I'll be glad to see you find a good revolver at a reasonable price. These guns seemed to appear to me at the right time, I actually put a couple of these on layaway when I found them.