Pistol barrel taper

[mrmurl]

I have never seen and was wondering if a 14" barrel has ever been made in a taper or more slender barrel?  I know the qualities of a bull barrel but have often thought about a more tapered barrel of 14" to make it a little lighter on the front.  The 14" barrels are great and very accurate, but a lighter front end on a pistol would make it a little easier to hunt with offhand in a wooded area were the shots were quicker and usually closer so the rigid factor of a bull barrel would not be of such a factor.  I guess I am just thinking out loud so to speak.
Thanks

[Ladobe]

Some custom TC barrel makers have been making optional profiles for years, but they come at a premium.   Some may have been to reduce weight, most probably for the cool factor, something different.  Any smith worth his salt could re-profile factory barrels as well.   Comes down to how deep your pockets are to loose what amounts to a small amount of weight.   
 
I was never bothered by it, in fact some of my custom Contender barrels were 15" full bulls.   

[Curtis]

mrmurl, I am unable to feel steady offhand with the longer barrels, no matter what grip or stance I have tried.   For that reason I've always favored the 10" barrels.  The cartridges that are optimized for shorter tubes appeal to me also for some reason.  I'm talking about pistol cartridges and Herretts mainly.  I do own my share of larger bottle-neck cartridges in 14" barrels where they are most at home, but for most of my hunting I take one of the shorter tubes.
 
I enjoy my 14" barrels from the bench during times of casual shooting.  In a hunting situation though only when I am on the ground with my back against a tree where I can rest on my raised knee, or in a box stand where I will have a good rest.  I am dubious as to whether adding taper would shed enough weight for my satisfaction, especially on barrels with a small bore.
 
Curtis