I've been intended to get a "round tuit" and ask this question.

For shooting fans of the Model 10 revolver with 4-inch barrel: Can you tell a difference between the standard tapered barrel and the Heavy Barrel variation when shooting it?

I cut my teeth on the Heavy Barrel but can't really tell much difference when shooting the two. Though I'm more familiar with the feel and balance of the Heavy Barrel I actually think the standard barrel balances a bit better in the hand. Recoil with all loads from target wadcutter to +P rounds feels the same to me with both barrel styles.

I love the heavy barrel, but it may just be the looks.

My first issued weapon (from the US Army) was a M10, RB HB. Then I found a "couple of "Pencil" barreled guns in the arms room, and asked for one, and got it. I liked the way the weight sat a little further back in my hand. Then they had some 2" barrels both M10s and Colt DSs, and I fell for snubs. Eventually my unit was moved and colocated with the USAF in Ubon. We had to take a sidearm with us. I took a HB M10, and the armorer at the AF did an action job on it that is still the best I have ever had, why I turned that gun in is still a mystery to me, other than I was very young and was lacking the experience (balls) I later acquired.
I still like the "pencil" barrels, and when a 38 is required, I carry my 4" M64 RB I acquired in 1972-in Italy of all places. It also has had an action job, trigger and hammer replaced, and the rear sight notch gouged out as wide as possible.

I like the way the "pencil" barrel looks and the way it balances the entire revolver better in the hand than the "bull" barrel.

However...

When it comes to range time, I think the heavy barrel shoots better.

But back to good looks...

The standard barrel looks like **** with a big ol' set of Target stocks on it, where the heavy barrel has that classic S&W look about it while sporting the big grips.

Just like the other side of the coin...

The standard barrel looks like a work of art with a gorgeous set of Magnas and a Tyler T-grip.

I dunno man...I NEVER met a Smith & Wesson revolver I didn't like.

Blue, nickel, stainless, short, long, fixed sights, adjustable sights - I love 'em all!!!

I've got an M10HB from about 1969. Standard grips, no-name grip adapter. I just preferred the appearance....

My regular range buddy's got an M10 with the pencil barrel. Police pullout, apparently - no idea the age, but it's a bit "used". Mine got some wear, but only a "NIB" enthusiast would turn away.

I don't see any difference on the range.

Regards,

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Stu.

I think the tapered barrel guns look better. I've got an ex-NYPD gun that bought from Vivas a few years ago.

I like both...The bull barrel looks cool, the pencil barrel is just very classy looking.

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M.J.Hanna

i'm not sure there is any difference in shooting the two, I don't notice that one shhots better than the other.

However, the pencil barrel has the look of a classic, one of the nicest looking revolvers around.

I like the heavy barrel in the 3" length. My 10-8

I prefer the heavy barrel.

I have had both over the years and have come to prefer the skinny barrel. It is lighter, has a really big front sight, and they tend to be cheaper. Plus they have the cool factor.

Tough question, Bryan. I suppose I would pick the standard barreled Model 10. I think my eye runs down the tapered barrel to that big front sight and puts me on target just a little bit quicker.

I should admit that I've shot the standard barrel Model 10 much more often than the bigger tubed model... but I'd be very pleased to have either at my side.

Jerry

I love the looks of the four inch pencil barrel, but with rapid DA fireing the heavy barrel gets the nod, the extra weight up front keeps front sight bounce to a miminum. With that said, they are all cool!

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Stay safe people!

I have had both. I still have a model 10 with the heavy barrel. I did not notice any difference shooting them. I agree that the pencil barrel is the classic that made the miltary & police hand ejector famous. I feel both are accurate. More accurate than I am! It is really a personal decision. If you want one to collect I suggest a victory or a revolver made between 1945 to 1956. These are worth more depending on condition than most model 10 made from 1957 to present. If you want a shooter to have fun then buy the later model 10s.

Hope this helps,
roaddog

I've had many pencil barreled guns over they years and one 10-6. I still have the 10-6 and the only standard barrel I regularly shot is a 32 WCF, which was never offered in a HB version to my knowledge.

I like the looks of the skinny barrel best, they just look good to me.

I like both and this 3 inch also. I guess I just like them all.

I like both,but prefer the heavy barrel.

If your going to carry it 8 hrs a day, I go for the std bbl. You can really feel the difference in the weight. If the goal is speed shooting and or using Hi-Vel ammo, go for the heavy bbl. It will slow down the recoil, and give less muzzle lift. You can never tell about accuracy until you fire the gun with match grade ammo - either one can come out on top. Looks mean very little when it comes to match shooting.

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Martin Co,FLA(finally made it)

Can't remember offhand; was the 4-inch standard barrel said to weigh 31 oz. and the 4-inch Heavy Barrel 34 oz.?

Thanks for posting. Some who've posted do notice a distinct difference in perceived recoil. I never really could tell that there was much difference in recoil, only in the balance.

I have several Model 10s around the house but only one is pristine looking and it's a 2-inch gun that I purchased new. These represent the best of 4-inch guns here and they are "well used." After these it goes down hill. All are fine shooters though. Model 10s are amazingly accurate.

If the K-frame has fixed sights (like the M&P), then I prefer the tapered barrel. As other posters have noted, the lighter barrel has the higher front sight. I think there is more advantage to having a higher front sight than a heavier barrel when it comes to shooting really fast.

Buti f the K-frame has adjustable sights (which are already easy to see) then I prefer the heavier barrel. For example, I prefer a straight barrel Model 19 over a Model 15 with a tapered barrel, even if I only shoot .38 Specials in the 19.

Looking at all these makes me want / "need" a 3" hvy bbl....

rayb

Bryan, I tend to agree with Jerry when it comes to using an M10 fast. During initial front sight acquisition, that distinctive front sight on the tapered barrel is much easier to find (especially for old eyes). For fine sight alignment, it likely doesn't matter.

In the end, it's probably the classic question: do you like chocolate or vanilla ice cream best? I am unlikely to turn either down.

Buck

Here's what Saxon Pig will say to members that use the term "pencil barrel"

YouTube - I must break you

I'm gonna have to agree with ol' Saxon Pig on that one. While it's not going to make a difference to the Smith & Wesson fraternity, I dislike that term as well.

I like them both,but I think the tapered barrel is neat.

My preference (based only on looks and non-firing handling) is for the tapered barrel. I haven't had the opportunity to fire the tapered on the range, but it's one of the first on the list to purchase soon!
Thanks,
Doug

I like them both. The 5" tapered is a favorite, though.

my only model 10 is a five screw tapered barrel, but i think i prefer the heavy barrel. I wish i could find one as cheap as i got the tapered barrel.

My first Model 10 had the tapered barrel, I like the looks and weight of the bull barrel much more.

2", 4", 5", or HB, they are all great!


4 Tens

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

found this one for dirt cheap price but well worn bluing and service grips. So cleaned it up and started polishing and added the targets.

I prefer the pencil barrels....because that's what Humprey Bogart, Charlie Chan, Alan Ladd, and the Thin Man carried.....

I have both styles and can't tell any difference in shooting. I slightly prefer the looks of the pencil barrel. But I don't think a better handling/shooting revolver has ever been made than the k-frames.

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With S&W, you're holding history in your hand

I took the easy way out, and have one of each. What fairer way is there to find out? FWIW, I think my 4" HB is a little easier to shoot than my 4" pencil barrel due to less muzzle flip from the extra weight in the barrel.

I prefer the tapered barrel. Mostly it's because it's the classic design and look and most resembles the original M&P revolver. Just beautiful and classic (and classy). The HB on the Model 10 just looks wrong to me. I'd like to own a current production HB just so I could round out my collection and show people and say "and this ugly thing with the heavy barrel, lock, and Goodyears is what they turned this classic into" but I'm sure not going to pay current production prices. That said, I've never owned or shot a HB, so I can't comment on any of the shootability questions. -Donald

Heavy barrel for looks only. Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

Sadly, I gave my wife a 4" M10 HB and when I lost her the gun went, too. But I have an old Wells Fargo nickle plated 4" standard barrel and at 20 or 25 feet close quarters combat type distance I can take the eye out of a man sized target with it. No complaints from me! I love Model 10s!

***GRJ***

I love the standard barrel. I think the HB was just a fad at the time and Smith wanted to make the Model 10 more modern. I love the look, feel, and lighter weight of the standard model guns. Not to mention that giant front sight.

My only K-frame presently is a square-butt four-inch standard barrel 10-5 built in 1966. I love the balance and feel of the gun. And yes, the tapered standard barrel just looks right to me on a K. But then I'm 150 years old. In dog years...

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Oh well, what the hell.

I sort of like the look of the standard barrel. I don't find shooting all that different. Bill Jordan liked the heavy barrel as he said it helped him index better for his point shooting. I use sights as Jeff Cooper taught, as well as Weaver when I can, so truthfully, I notice no difference.

And, if you can watch this film and not fall in love all over again with the standard barrel Model 10, then there is something wrong with you.

Double Action Revolver Shooting - FBI training film - end 1950th - YouTube

Nothing, absolutely nothing feels better in my hand than a 4" SB bull barrel 10 or 64 with Magna service-style grips and a Tyler T-grip adapter.

PS: We call them 'pencil barrels' in NY. Gotcha!

Obviously, in reading the responses above, it is a personal choice. My opinion is that the M10/M&P is a historical design and the tapered barrel represents it best.

Leave the .38 M&P how it was supposed to be; Get the heavy on a M13.
To me the heavy M10 was just an reaction to an unnecessary inferiority complex to the .357 models.

Of course, it's a personal choice....but what's the "right" choice?!!

I prefer the original tapered barrel, but that's because my first S&W 38 was a police Mdl 10 trade-in, and that's what came with it.

I later felt I had to have a heavy barrel, so I bought a Taurus heavy barrel as a temporary substitute, then later got the proper S&W heavy Mdl 10. But I still like the tapered model best.

BTW, you guys are going to hate on me, but that Taurus Mdl 82 I own is very accurate, and has never failed.....

I like them both, but would take the standard tapered barrel if I had to choose just one.

I have several 4" 10s and pre 10s along with a 4" 64. All have the
tapered barrel. I just can't warm up to the looks of the 4" heavy barrel
models. I associate them with tupperware grips and combat style
double action shooting and I guess the weight forward would be an
advantage for that. But for single action shooting and that classic look
the tapered barrel has it all over the heavy barrel.

I prefer the original tapered barrel and responding to 4 year old threads.

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Inconsistently consistent

Holy resurrected thread, Batman!

Hey, thanks for the linked video clip, Shawn McCarver.

Don't have any hvy.-barrelled M10's/M&P's, (except a 3" M65) just tapered.
But my 1958 M&P 3" tapered is well-nigh perfect in balance, shooting, carry and handling. And with one less inch, the taper is far less noticeable.

Attached Images

S&W M&P pre10 3 in.JPG (190.7 KB, 154 views)

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

That isn't a heavy barrel pictured (above)?