Model 10 fans, do you prefer the standard barrel or the heavy barrel, and why?

I own mostly thinner barreled M&P's but I really do not have a preference. The HB's do allow a slightly faster follow up but I am not good enough to take any advantage from that.



I will post a pic of my favorite M&P from the early '20s.

I love the thick barrels -- they just look so bad ***** (I have a 4" 64-5 and a 3" 65-3). They also give some weight to help mitigate recoil and facilitate quick target reacquisition. That said, I have a thin barrel Model 67 which I think is the most beautiful gun in the world.

I'm an ex new yorker and most police officers when I lived there all carried the M10 HB version. So I got a M10 HB for myself. Frank

Personally, I absolutely prefer the standard, tapered barrel. First, the gun is a bit lighter and I find it better balanced, second, with standard .38 Spl. loads, you really don't need the additional weight up front to control recoil, and third, it simply looks a lot better. For me, the 4" M&P with standard barrel is THE Smith & Wesson classic.
Of course, if you are planning to whack a lot of people over the head with your gun barrel or generally expect it to be exposed to a lot of lateral stress, or often shoot lots of rounds in one session, the heavy barrel is more robust and durable. I suspect that's why a lot of police departments like the NYPD switched to the HB models once they became available.
I read somewhere once (sorry, don't remember the source, so can't vouch for the info), that after 1959 (I think?), when the HB was introduced, the majority of law enforcement orders were for the HB models, while commercial sales overwhelmingly continued to favor the standard barrel versions.

I much prefer the tapered barrel. I have several 4" M&Ps and Md 10s
and none are HBs. The guns are lighter and balance better with the
tapered barrel. I don't care for the muzzle heavy feel and the tapered
barrel guns look way better to me. They give the M&P that classic S&W
revolver look.

I have (2) Model 10s. Both have standard barrels. They seem to balance better, and feel lighter when carried.

Heavy barrel. Makes a better impact weapon if necessary.

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Ban lunatics and criminals

Four inch standard barrel with round butt is the only way to fly!

Standard barrel for me for the reasons already mentioned..... balance, weight and looks better. I really prefer the 5" though.

If I want a heavy barrel 10, I'd just as soon go for a 13. Standard taper for the 38 heavy taper for a 357 and just shoot 38's out of it

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Forum consigliere

Heavy barrel here; love the look, love the steadiness on target, love the recoil control and faster follow-up.

I love the way the 3" HB handles, but love the way the 5" taper barrel looks.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

How about one (or more) of each?



I will admit I like the standard barrel better though.

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Jim

I found one of these at a LGS in the mid '80s. Still have it. Great CC revolver.

Much to vouch for both. For .38 ammo, don't see alot of advantage to a HB, even though I have one (Aussie M10 4" HB RB)
The HB on my 3" and 4" M65's seem 'right' due to them being .357's.

I hope this is the biggest quandry I encounter this week.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Tapered barrel. Handles better, the half-moon sight is a lot better for fast work than it is generally credited for, and looks classic. Conversely, that HB looks like a lead pipe soldered onto a shot glass.

The only M10 I currently own is a 4" 10-6 (HB) and I love it, but for pure asthetics (and carry) I still prefer a standard barrel. The day I find a 4" standard barrel in decent shape is going to be the day my wallet gets a lot lighter and my wife and I will have one of those conversations that I do not enjoy. My father has a 6" standard barrel M10, and it's just too classy (and well balanced) for words.

I like them all and can't choose. I don't own any HB M&Ps right now but if I were to carrya 38 rrevolver on duty that's what would be in my holster.

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No life story has happy end.

I like them all and can't choose. I don't own any HB M&Ps right now but if I were to carry a 38 revolver on duty that's what would be in my holster.

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No life story has happy end.

Depends on which side of the be I get up on.

I have several Model 10s, both bull barrel and pencil barrel.

I like them both, but one of the one's I like the best is a Model 10-8 four inch bull barrel with factory Round Butt. With standard stocks and a Tyler T Grip, its a great carry gun.

Rule 303

HB - and 3" only at that. The tapered (standard) barrel just looks too "Barney Fife" for me.....and the longer HB (4") just makes the gun look to "snouty" (by that, I mean unbalanced).

I would like to have a nice 4" RB model 10 but they are not
exactly commonplace. Technically not a model 10 as the
serial number dates this old M&P to the 20s, it is a 4" RB.
It has markings indicating it was rebarreled and reblued by
S&W in 1951. One of my old plinkers I get out once in a
while.

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