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

 

[def4pos8]

What recoil?

I've shot 4-, 5- and 6-inch K-frame .38s of different barrel configurations and NONE of them ever presented a recoil problem.

I suppose the I'm just not a "sensitive" guy.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I go along with scooter123 and haggis. Although I have occasionally enjoyed shooting HB K's at static targets, the tapered-barrel guns handle faster. I have no argument with what other people choose for themselves, but for me choice is obvious.

The lighter carry weight is just gravy.

 

[stantheman86]

"Pencil" barrel for looks, Heavy Barrel for shooting!

The 4" HB has a much more business like look to it, pure utility. The pencil barrel was just a holdover from when S&W was still trying to make thier revolvers "pretty" Still, the 4" pencil barrel has that "Classic .38 revolver" look to it that appeals to many people.

Overall, the 4" HB Model 10 and 64 with round butt profile is my overall favorite all purpose S&W. I'm glad S&W made this combo "standard" for the 64's and 10's some years ago! It conceals well, the standard RB magnas and a Tyler T-grip go together like cigarettes and coffee, and it feels great in the hand and points better than my finger!

 

[Art Doc]

The HB isn't to dampen recoil but to aid rapid combat shooting. A muzzle heavy gun swings on target better. that's why those custom PPC revolvers have those huge barrels.

"PC" doesn't bother me. Just "pencil barrel" and it drives me nuts.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

The HB isn't to dampen recoil but to aid rapid combat shooting. A muzzle heavy gun swings on target better. that's why those custom PPC revolvers have those huge barrels.

I'm probably missing something. Not only do I not believe that a muzzle-heavy gun swings "better," whatever exactly that means, I don't even understand what it has to do with PPC. I thought PPC had static targets, one to a stage.

AFAIK, a HB gun has the characteristic that changing what you're aiming at is smoother and slower. As others have posted before, a known characteristic of increased mass is that it is slower to start and slower to stop. Whether that is good or bad depends on what kind of shooting you're doing.

 

[Art Doc]

Most serious target shooters (and I am not one but I hear them talk) say they prefer a muzzle heavy gun for combat shooting. They say it swings on target better. That's what they say, don't ask me. But this is why the Combat Magnum (note the name) was designed with a heavier barrel, to give it that muzzle heavy feel.

I note that of all my 27s, the one that seems to move best in rapid target acquisition is the 8" version due to all that mass out in front. The HB concept works, IMO. The lighter (or shorter barrel) is like pointing your fist. Hang some weight (or length) out in front and now you're pointing with an extended finger.

I don't know how to explain it any better. .

 

[OIF2]

I like 'em both.
Bob

 

[Superflywimpy]

I have a 6 inch pencil barrel

And it works great for me. I was out at the Joe Foss Range today in Buckeye and I must have shot 150 reloads throught it and all I can say is "gun control" at 75 feet 90% were in the black.

 

[stantheman86]

I can't decide which I like better, I know I love M&P's/Model 10's so I'll keep buying plenty of both light and heavy barrels!

I have a 6" tapered barrel, I have yet to get myself a 4" and my 5" Victory doesn't really count because it's a beater....if I had to choose I prefer the looks and handling of the HB's.

My theory is that the HB helps control the gun in rapid DA shooting, which is basically the way a duty gun would be fired in "real world" mode. It was a way to keep the non-lugged barrel profile of the Model 10 while adding more meat to the barrel. Works for me, I'm no fan of underlugs.......

 

[JMusic]

Heavy barrel 10's were used in my class when I was in college. I had my own 15 but occasionally used the heavy barrel 10. I have to say they are shooters. Women in the class did much better with the heavy barrel. I bought one 10 years ago and sold it last week to a friend of mine. A tuned heavy barrel model ten is like shooting a target gun.