My South Bend 10" Heavy has a threaded spindle nose. Doesn't cause me any trouble. Yes, it's a very good one for barrel work. I like that you can run it really slow in back gear for chambering. I often wish that the bed were a foot longer, but I cope.

Early on I came up with a collet chuck for it, and that is what gets the most use by far. It only gets taken out when I need the four-jaw. Haven't used the three-jaw in years.