This is never a reason to buy into an idea.
The issue is throwing out some web based opinion as fact that quite frankly is’nt fact, or even the real advantages in a standard weight barrel.
So since your opinions are somehow both opinion and fact while mine are simply ‘web based opinions’, how about you back your facts up with something solid? I would be all ears to some objective data about how pencil barrels don’t get too hot too fast under sustained rates of fire…and how a guy will somehow destroy his weapon before bending a pencil barrel - (which is pure bullshit).
What are these ‘real’ advantages of standard weight barrels you are referring to? Are you suggesting they don’t handle sustained fire better and they are somehow not stronger? What is this ‘real’ advantage?
You guys can have your pencil barrels, I’m not judging anyone for using them as if they couldn’t handle carrying a few extra ounces (that would be a ridiculous notion). I simply disagree that they belong on a hard use weapon which could be thrown into any scenario imaginable. But then, as a combat vetted infantryman my imagination runs to worst case.