Model 10 HB vs Pencil barrel

[otis24]

I've owned my Model 10-5 pencil barrel for about ten months. I finally took it to the range. As much as I like the asthetics of the pencil barrel, it tended to jump in my hand more than my Model 10 HB. The heavy barrel will be my preferred weapon for plinking/range work.

 

[otis24]

Sorry, wrong section.

 

[Dragon88]

I have a pencil barrel Pre-10 and a HB 10-6. I like the HB, feels more balanced in the hand and the added weight reduces 38 spl recoil to almost nothing. If I had to carry the gun every day though, I would probably go for the reduced weight of the pencil barrel.

 

[Jack Flash]

I think one of the reasons S&W came out with the HB on the M10 was to help tame the recoil of the .357 Mag cartridge, for which some M10-6s are chambered.

I like the looks of the HB, but question the need on a .38 Special. A lot of people do like heavy barrels (heavy everything for that matter) on a target gun. As for carry, what is the difference in weight between the -5 and -6?

 

[Art Doc]

AAAARRRRRRRRGGHHHH....

 

[gaucho1]

AAAARRRRRRRRGGHHHH....

Pencil Matey..............

 

[CQB27]

I have a 10-5 standard(pencil) barrel and it is one fine shooter.

What is this "38 spec recoil" people are talking about?

 

[walnutred]

I was always told that the thought behind the HB was to give the handling of a 6" barrel in a 4" package. LEOs liked the feel of the 6" but did not like the extra length when getting in and out of a vehicle.

I much prefer the HB and this story always made sense to me. Doesn't make the story true mind you, but it does kind makes sense.

 

[S&W-Keeper]

AAAARRRRRRRRGGHHHH....

I was about to say where is SP when you need him.

 

[Harrison]

I have both, My 10-5 pencil pencil barrel is a joy to shoot. It is smoother and at least for me, more accurate than my 10-7 HB. I don't normally shoot +Ps in either so recoil is not a factor. In fact, next gunshow, the HB is going to be traded for a 6" L frame if I can find a nice one.

 

[GyMac]

I have both and I prefer the pencil barrel. I got the HB first, I didn't like the appearance of the pencil barrel. But then, over time, I came to prefer the looks of it. I also think that I prefer the balance, although my five inch feels better yet. Both of them shoot great.
Chris

 

[Skeptic 9c]

Back in the early 60's Chic Gaylord commented that the S&W HB was designed to answer some LEO complaints about durability, usually wartime guns bought surplus, when some departments issued 200 gr .38 Special rounds.
Geoff
Who notes by the late 60's the style was light hollow point bullets, not heavy blunt ones.

 

[Art Doc]

I think the main difference between HB and "pencil barrel" is Heavy Barrel is a technically correct term while "pencil barrel" is not.

 

[gaucho1]

SP

You are, of course, correct.

But you need to get a grip on yourself, this is a stock subject.

 

[jimmyj]

I prefer the 4" standard barrel.

 

[kbm6893]

Heavy barrel for me. Pencil barrels are ugly.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

AAAARRRRRRRRGGHHHH....

and don't be forgetting the PC Magnas matey. Arrrrrrrrr.......

 

[CajunBass]

I used to not like the "pencil barrel" Model 10's. I thought they looked quaint and old fashioned.

Today I like them, because they look quaint and old fashioned.

 

[scooter123]

I prefer the tapered barrels because I've found that they work better for me in rapid fire DA shooting. When I am in practice, I can group my tapered barrel model 67 at 3 inches at 40 feet with a 1/2 second split time. With my model 620 using the same ammo I'll get a 4 inch group. That difference isn't due to poor accuracy from the 620, I've shot the 620 from a sandbag rest at 35 yards and it's a freaking rifle. The difference is due to the inertia of the heavier barrel impeding returning the gun to point of aim. Heavier barrels require more effort to get moving and more effort to stop once they are moving, as a result even though there is less muzzle flip with the heavier barrel my groups will generally get larger when shooting rapidly.

PS, yeah a 1/2 second split isn't that fast. I've seen Jerry's record speed shooting and frankly I just can't believe that any Human can actually pull a trigger that fast. Frankly, I'm starting to wonder if he's a robot from the future or from another planet. Eight rounds ON target in just one second with a DA trigger, that is simply stunning.

 

[haggis]

I've found that the front sight on standard barrels (keepin' Frank happy) are easier to pick up than those on heavy barrels. It makes a difference to me on rapid target acquisition, especially the first shot.

Buck