Thread: fluted barrels

A fluted barrel of the same weight as a non fluted will be stronger due to more surface area.

If you flute a barrel to lose weight it will be weaker, you will have more surface area but it won't make up for the material lost.
Heat dispersion should be bit better on a fluted barrel, but I don't know if that would be enough of a reason to chose one.

In my opinion a factory one should have no real disadvantage, if I liked how it looked I'd go for it.
I would not have a gunsmith flute one for me because I think you would lose more than you gain.