Both companies are now selling barrels from the same factory, on the same machines, but one has a much higher spec product. Barrel Type: 5R Button Rifled That is wrong, don’t believe it. How much higher? For anyone not shooting auto, it's the optimal profile for a Carbine barrel. Nitriding is a surface conversion process whereby manufacturers submerge the barrel in a nitrogen-sodium solution and heat to a high temperature, usually between 750 and 1200 degrees. This rifle is still super light compared to my AKs. These grooves “grab” the bullet and impart rotation. It doesn’t do anything particularly better than other options, but it has good all-around performance. A manufacturer that’s gone to the trouble of utilizing certified barrel steel will advertise the fact. There isn’t much difference in performance between them. It’s a matter of practice and expertise. With an article this long, there’s bound to be some rock unturned, and you’re probably not the only one asking! But 4 inches of suppressor doesn’t offer the same boost as 4 inches of additional barrel length. Business want you to spend money. If you want the long and detailed version, check out my write up on twist rates. V Seven Light Ejector Port Door .29 $37. Most people are far better served by lighter profiles. I’m looking into building an AR. Muzzle Thread: 1/2-28 TPI... Can be used in place of a peel washer to mount compensator/flashiders. Dismiss notification. Thanks! See the advantages of BCM Enhanced Profile Barrels. Daniel Watters, who I leaned on heavily for the SCHV series, did an outstanding job assembling the history. There are other chambers that split the difference between the two, like .223 Wylde or Noveske’s Match Mod 0. This is the most common type of steel encountered in AR-15 barrels. Stainless barrels are popular for match rifles for one primary reason: they are easier to machine and finish. When we start talking about stainless steel barrels, everyone assumes we’re talking about precision rifles and match grade barrels. A note though, may want to work more on editing. There is kind of a funny story behind how that profile came about. Historically, this negatively impacts accuracy. That’s far more than the average gun owner puts in. Upon exit, the bullet begins a ballistic trajectory. The 18″ barrel length has an interesting story, and it’s well documented by the Small Arms Defense Journal. The specific upper Aero Precision sent me to test is the M4E1 16” 5.56 Mid-Length Pencil Barrelwith their new 12” M-Lok ATLAS handguard. - 16" Ultramatch Lightrigid™ 416r Stainless Steel .223 Wylde Fluted Lightweight Barrel CM barrels require extra lining, typically composed of chrome, to resist corrosion. I’d like to get a SBR/pistol length AR to use 99% with a OSS low back flow suppressor. Applying high amounts of force on steel results in stress. High-quality replacement for factory front sight housing includes bayonet lug. That said, I think you’re skipping over another option. You may have heard that you should tie the twist rate to the weight of the bullet you want to shoot. What you’re talking about is more or less the M16A5 configuration, I put together a post about it here: https://www.everydaymarksman.co/equipment/m16a5/. CM and stainless barrels, machined bare, have about the same level of accuracy. But, if you fire thin jacketed lightweight bullets or smaller cast lead ones, you could see some issues with high RPMs causing the bullet to come apart during flight. I reviewed a previous barrel…their 14.5″ pencilwith a permanently attached muzzle device in my ultimate lightweight build. These barrels have slightly more mass, which helps them better tolerate aggressive firing schedules without being too much more cumbersome to carry. But I am saying that there is a reason for the price difference. While the higher carbon content of 4150 steel does make it stronger at the edges of performance, the average person will probably never push their barrel to that limit. I’m still wondering if it’s worth spending a little extra on a CHF/BFH barrel. At that point, the barrel will become very inaccurate as it heats. Finish: Salt Bath Nitride It’s light, accurate enough, and will take care of you for a long time. The aerodynamics of bullets have seen also significant advancement, but that’s not the topic we’re talking about today. Check out my build guides for those configurations. The Everyday Marksman is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. The .223 and 5.56 are very closely related. International barrels button rifled blanks are made to exacting specifications. The concept finally rose to prominence when the GWOT started ramping up in the early 2000s. There are configurations like the M16A5 which help with the maneuverability aspect, but a shorter rifle is always easier in cramped quarters. Machined of steel, phosphate finish, for .750 barrels. It offers a very smooth recoil impulse due to its full-length rifle gas system while shaving a few ounces off of the end of the rifle. Thanks for coming by and asking. Pronounced “one in seven,” for example, this means that the groove completes one 360-degree rotation around the bore every seven inches. Criterion uses this in their “Hybrid Profile” barrel I suggested at the start of the article. Great article, and tons of information. It is not an ideal solution for barrels that see very high volumes of sustained rapid fire. A well-made one just feels nice in the hands, and even more so when you shoot it . They all make for very compact and easy handling carbines. The 20″ barrel was the heart, and it’s the workhorse or the AR world. Rifling describes the grooves cut down the length of a barrel’s bore. That is right around the upper range of the nitriding process. Do you have any articles on piston operated systems that have info to help me decide which to buy? But the 5th SFG guys wanted a 20″ barrel for velocity (see above). 100% Corrosion Resistant Worry less about marketing hype. In Stock. Speaking of finishes inside the bore, another factor is protective linings. Brigand Arms Handguard 4.6 $329. If you’re trying to be a bit more of a clone dork, then the 16″ barrel is your ticket for building a RECCE pattern rifle. Not just the rifle but the corresponding ammunition and support gear as well. Home » Equipment » The AR-15 Barrel Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need to Know. Gas tube roll pin available for purchase separately. It’s particularly noticeable with the 300-yard impact. Mrgunsngear did a short test with one of your 16" pencil barrels where the group seemed to open up from about .75 to 1.25" at 100 yards after a 30 round mag dump, I would love to see more tests like this. In fact, the XM177 came equipped with a 4″ moderator to mitigate some of the noise, effectively bringing the length up to about 14.5″. By starting at a higher velocity, you give yourself more time and distance to have maximum effect. I especially appreciate the complete absence of the usual political slights and sarcastic undertones found on pretty much EVERY gun-related site or forum. You can carry it all day, or you can shoot it all day, but not both. Cut rifling is the original “old school” way. But wait…didn’t I say that I recommend getting the regular barrelone? But with the popularity of 77gr SMK for match shooting, 1/7 twists now reign supreme. The difference comes down to the pressures that each generates. And now it dominates service rifle. Its machined from 1045 carbon steel hex stock with 0.420", 0.460" and 0.500" center to center on holes and a 0.765" bore. Before I get into determining twist rates, let’s quickly look at how we create rifling. The original intent was bridging the gap between the 20″ M16 series and the experimental XM177.