10-5 vs. 10-8?

[Wildpony]

Ok I've decided on picking up a couple of model 10's for my collection. I've already decided on a 10-5 2" as one of them and am now looking at 4" barreled Model 10's

Here is my dilemma I have found two realy nice ones I cant decide on. What are the pro's and cons of each of these to you guys? Which would you pick.

One is a 10-5 4" Pinned Pencil barrel, square butt, 95% finish, for $325

THe other is a 10-8 4" Non-pinned bull barrel, square butt, 85% finish for $299

Between the two which do you guys think is the highest quality, most accurate, etc, etc, etc? Give me your input and tell me which you would buy.


P.S. Whichever I choose I'll actually be using it for carry and-self defense, packing, and it will also see a lot of time at the range and maybe some steel plate and IDPA competitions just for fun.

 

[rockhammer]

Try holding both of them and see which balances better in your hand. Other than the different balance between the heavy and tapered barrels there isn't much difference so for carry I'd pick the 10-8 because it is cheaper. I have a model 10 with the heavy barrel and I really enjoy shooting it.

 

[Cdnbacon]

As noted already, see which one points better for you. I find a noticeable difference in balance between the heavy and pencil barrel. I really like both. In terms of shootability, the heavy barrel may have a slight advantage for control/recoil recovery and may "hang" better due to the weight. The pencil barrel is a really neat and classy service revolver that is a little lighter to carry and I find the taller front sight (with orange paint) picks up faster than the ramp on the heavy barrel.

 

[Bat Guano]

Same; I greatly prefer the slim barrel model for carry, pointability, and general feel. They're complete opposites for me.

 

[jbouwens]

I like the heavy barrel model 10s better, I have both pinned and none pinned versions of both pencils and HB. I actually like the non pined/recessed better for the speed loading and ejection that it provides. The P&R are by far my favorites but the gun I reach for to speed shoot, split playing cards, and ring steel as fast as possible, I grab for the 10-8 non P&R.

Either gun will serve you well and give you many grins.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I have examples of all the Model 10s and my sentimental favorite is the Model 10 Heavy Barrel. Mine's a Model 10-6.

I think the 4-inch Model 10 tapered barrel is the best looking version.

Model 10s formerly came "pinned" but never "recessed."

 

[Iggy]

My first center fire revolver was a standard barrel Model 10.

We were issued HB's on the Highway Patrol but I just never could warm up to them. On the other hand, I carried a Model 58 M&P .41 Mag, which is a Model 10 HB on steroids, and still have it.

The old Standard bbl M&P just seems to me to be the epitome of the Classic .38 revolvers.

 

[sw44spl]

I say get the 10-5 and enjoy it.

 

[GyMac]

I would choose the pencil barrel. They don't make them anymore. Of course, a lot depends on how the guns feel to you.

 

[BUFF]

There wouldn't be any quality or accuracy advantage to one dash variant over the other. About the only difference is the location of the gas ring. There would be as much difference between any two individual guns of the same dash as there would likely be from guns of different dashes; that is to say, a good 10-8 will be better than a bad 10-5, and vice versa.

I always say, get the one you like the best.

 

[kenjen]

i think you should get both, because whichever one you buy you will always wish you had the other

 

[jbouwens]

I have examples of all the Model 10s and my sentimental favorite is the Model 10 Heavy Barrel. Mine's a Model 10-6.

I think the 4-inch Model 10 tapered barrel is the best looking version.

Model 10s formerly came "pinned" but never "recessed."

I have three 10-6 models in 357 mag (pre 13) that are pinned and recessed.

The one in my profile pic above is one of 10-6's I mentioned.

 

[rz625-8]

I have 3 M10s that all 3 have been Parkarized. One of the 3 is a 2 inch parkarized revolver and with all heavy barrels on the 4 inch 10s and also on the 10-9 2 inch. Great shooters. I had them parked because bluing was mostly off on all of them. And,also beadblasted. rz625-8

 

[bnewc75]

step it up!

I have two 10-5's
pencil 4" and 2" snub
I have sometimes felt bad directing funds to a firearm...
the feeling never lasted long...
both both...
its easy to spend your money

 

[tripledipper]

Never shot a pencil bbl Model 10. Have a 2"HB 10-5 and a 4"HB 10-8. Love them both. To me they represent what S&W was all about. Of course the .357's in 13/65 and 19/66 have been always revered and sought as well, but are a little more costly.

 

[Sam McCord]

IMHO the only sensible thing is to buy them all. You can't go wrong with ANY Model 10.
Sam

 

[FlYFiShErMaN]

IMHO the only sensible thing is to buy them all. You can't go wrong with ANY Model 10.
Sam

No truer words could be spoken, that said I love my 10-5 2". Great guns.

 

[armybass]

I have owned and carried both and on all accounts I would get the 10-8. I prefer the older P&R guns but I also prefer the bull barrel M10 in 4". They are great shooting guns and are weighted perfectly. Besides you have a 2" 10-5 which is the best of the 10-5's in my opinion. If you could though....I would buy both....

 

[daa9mm]

For ease of carry, the pencil barrel hands down.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I have three 10-6 models in 357 mag (pre 13) that are pinned and recessed.

The one in my profile pic above is one of 10-6's I mentioned.

I've never seen a .38 Special chambered Model 10 that was recessed but I hadn't considered the run of Model 10 Heavy Barrels chambered for the .357 Magnum.