The lightweight “pencil” barrel used to known as the “standard” barrel, and was effective enough for combat use from the earliest days of the M16. I haven't started shopping for them yet. The weight saving are significant and an AR should be a lightweight carbine. I’m wondering if most go with a standard profile or a smaller pencil profile to save weight. To give you a glimpse into the attention to detail Battle Arms Development has, they have even dimpled the gas block location for your set screw to ensure a solid gas block mount. It retails at $204.99 for their 16" model but can be as low at $174.99 for the 7.5" PDW barrel. I have DD LW middy and it is great barrel. When I searched for lightweight AR barrels, Faxon was a name that showed up everywhere. Medium barrels offer a stable balance between durability and weight. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a continuation of my latest article, on lightweight bolt carrier groups, I'm talking about lightweight AR barrels. BSF uses a jacketing method rather than a wrapping method. The carbine lightweight will be slightly lighter vs the standard carbine because there is more barrel in front of the front sight post to machine down. Anybody have any experience with the BCM enhanced lightweight barrels. With an ever-growing market, there is an excitement to who's going to come out with the next big thing. And a heavier government contour stainless steel barre (most commonly used in competition) weighs 2 lbs 2 oz (2.125 lbs). The mix of both steel and carbon fiber creates a durable, but lightweight barrel capable of excellent accuracy. I reviewed a previous barrel…their 14.5″ pencilwith a permanently attached muzzle device in my ultimate lightweight build. Never argue with an idiot. I'd go with the LW for carrying on patrol. There are more and more manufacturers and shooters, realizing the benefits of these builds. These barrels utilize the always excellent 416R stainless steel underneath a carbon fiber sleeve. I am going to have to try the weight idea. Is there much difference between the heavy barrel and the lightweight one? I don't know about DD but Faxon's pencil profile opens about 1.5-2MOA after about 2 mags dumped though. That being said, huge leaps have been made, and these options are great. I … The difference here of course is the barrel is not the "Enhanced" LW like the standard but the BFH barrel is still a LW barrel but Cold Hammer Forged! Why would one get a lightweight enhanced fluted barrel over a standard mk2 BFH or vice versa? Faxon started out in the aerospace manufacturing business so they know their stuff. Some calibers are designed for certain barrel lengths, and others simply work better with a shorter barrel. And a heavier government contour stainless steel barre (most commonly used in competition) weighs 2 lbs 2 oz (2.125 lbs). A forum community dedicated to Glock firearm owners and enthusiasts. In a build where an ounce matters, this is a pretty big jump. However, they do offer other lengths for those looking to do something a little different. And all their barrels are made in-house…”cradle to grave” as they call it. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Guns & Tactics, its management team, or its employees. The gas block is .625" with a 1.1" journal length (suitable for a 1" adjustable gas block). I recently built one with a BCM enhanced lightweight barrel, and another with a SPIKE'S optimum contour. Go with the LW. The M-16 sported a lightweight “pencil” barrel when it first came onto the scene, though it was called the “standard” profile at the time. AR-15 barrels are available in lengths ranging from 7” to 24”, with 16” being the most common. Because of their reputation, weight, and price, I list them over the Rainier barrel. Yeah, there really is. You needn’t put much steel around a .22 or .17 missile to fashion a rigid tube. If you’re having a hard time deciding between a carbon fiber barrel vs stainless steel barrel, ... One of the most popular material options (especially among those who prefer an ultra-lightweight rifle) for rifle barrels is carbon fiber. both fore and aft of the gas block, for maximum weight saving. ", Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 3290 W. Big Beaver Rd. Retreat in a manner that leads him into your fight should he press his attack. I also read an article where Daniel Defense said that their most popular model is the M4V5LW. Lightweight ARs and barrels are a growing market. Most recently becoming an NRA Pistol Instructor and NC Concealed Carry Instructor. More Accurate. It can shoot high ballistic coefficient bullets, faster than standard barrels with a 1-in-12-inch twist. AR heavy barrel vs light weight - posted in AR - [Rifles]: I want to order my upper assembly soon, probably from Del-Ton. I noticed that Daniel Defense seems to offer most if not all of their 5.56 rifles in both standard models (with a heavy barrel) and LW models with a lightweight (thin) barrel. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Rainier Arms is a name I trust, and their reviews say I'm not the only one. The rifle will have some kind of free floated quad rail and folding front sight. Nobody thought anything of it until some armorers kept getting reports of bent barrels. Will be getting a midlength, 16 in barrel, with the Magpul MOE handguard. They retail for only $175, which means you get more for less. If you're not loadin', you should be movin', if you're not movin', someone's gonna cut your head off and put it on a stick. Faxon is known for quality manufacturing, and they have outdone themselves with this, lightest barrel in the industry. After reading the reviews, I see why. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Guns & Tactics Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site. Moving on to the barrel, the 6.5 Creedmoor has a 1-in-7-inch, 24-inch barrel with a 0.86-inch muzzle. One of the reviews of this barrel was showing four-shot groups about the size of a quarter with cheap 5.56 ammo. No one had a bad thing to say about these barrels. I agee with Beaterar; I have three AR's with lightweight chrome-lined barrels. Unless you plan to do a lot of full-auto shooting, you're not going to wear a lightweight barrel out with just semi-auto. What are the pros and cons of these options? A wise purchase for anyone. However, it's not just about weight. They also have polished M4 feed ramps for controlled feed and have been tested in about every way you can imagine. The GM and Feddersen I have are both very close in accuracy and have printed sub-moa groups. Learn how your comment data is processed. Never thought of that. I have rifles with the TS barrel, the GM, and a Feddersen all in the .920 profile. The BCM is lighter, but they are comparable in accuracy. The TS is not nearly as accurate purely printing groups but is lightweight, easy to handle and fairs well at 1MOA steel at 125yds. Here's my vote on good, better, and best in the lightweight market. It's a win win. Lightweight or pencil profiles are just flat out thin, no weird swells. They are six groove button-rifled for inherent accuracy and fully manufactured from Battle Arms. My question is this, since the LW barrel is hammer forged, will it stand up to three gun shooting without loosing that much accuracy, or should I just go with the V1 regular barrel. Small-bore cartridges have an obvious advantage if you crave stiff but lightweight barrels. A DD V3 LW is my duty rifle and I couldn't be happier. Their ultra-lightweight barrel is made with a taper honed chamber and bore for match performance and superior accuracy. In case you need a high-quality gun for considerably long distance hunting, or competitive shooting, a match grade barrel is better … It passed with flying colors for something super light and short (… Plus…several other well-known brands use their barrels. For a lightweight carbine for the young lady, skip the massive quad rails, KISS, get a skinny 16" barrel with standard handguards and only add on what you (she) really need. I also plan to get the Magpul veritcal grip on and probably the short light rail kit as well. The standard AR barrel with an M4 contour and mid-length gas system weighs about 1 lb 11.2 oz (1.7 lbs). I’ll probably do a Midwest lightweight 15” handguard, adjustable gas block, mid-length gas system and a 1-6 power Strike Eagle. All this translates to a barrel that you can trust to run reliably for many, many years. It doesn’t help that a number of other things NOT related to the quality of the barrel blank could keep the barrel from reaching the potential it had when it originally left the barrel manufacturer (e.g., chamber wasn’t cut concentric to the bore, a poor crown job, neglect in cleaning, overheating, etc. The barrel length has a direct impact on muzzle velocity and accuracy. The only reason I am looking at the lightweight barrel is because hour long K9 tracks with the rifle get get a little heavy with a regular rifle, that is why I am selling my midlength I have now, use … It is made of 4150 chrome vanadium steel and QPQ for strength and corrosion resistance. It does no good being a featherweight part if you can't hit the target. There will be times when I’m shooting 30-50 rounds a stage so I’m concerned with heat in the pencil barrels. By far, an excellent choice. In all, the package was a svelte 6.9 lbs. Chambered in .223 Wylde (which makes it able to shoot .223 or 5.56) and comes with a mid-length gas system, this is an excellent barrel made for accuracy. Battle Arms Development is known in the industry for quality to the point it's more than you'll ever need. Guns & Tactics® is a website destination featuring photos, videos and articles about all things guns and tactics. I think BCM stated the standard vs lightweight has a 4oz difference or so. It is their proprietary contour with a .625 gas block location, and bead-blasted stainless steel and M4 feed ramps. BCM Uppers: Standard vs MK2 vs BFH vs Enhanced/lightweight/fluted - Pros and Cons? This will eventually be a suppressor host. This is 4oz removed from the far end of the barrel so it shifts the center of balance towards the shooter. Although the magazine Recoil just did an article on the Daniel Defense Lightweight barrel. After a mag or two of heat is dumped into your lightweight build, your point of impact (POI) will probably shift by several minutes of angle. Weighing in at 1 lb 10.7 oz (1.67 lbs) with a 1:8 twist and a lifetime warranty you are sure to be happy with your purchase. There’s also what we call the Hanson profile, which features a lightweight profile and … This barrel follows the manufacturing standards of their match grade barrels and is made from high-quality blanks. AR-15 5.56 Pencil barrels are manufactured at Faxon’s ISO-certified facility from one of the hardest materials on the planet, 4150 CMV carbon steel, featuring a QPC black Nitride or FDE coating for superior wear-resistance and longevity. Lightweight barrels or pencil barrels are lighter to carry around but won’t be as durable as the heavyweight profile. ), which just adds more complexity to the problem! Their LightRigid line of barrels is made from 416 R stainless steel with their proprietary contour and fluting. But if you only need a gun for casual hunting or shooting, standard barrels are good enough. The barrel I looked at is 16" with a mid-length gas system and 1:8 twist. This rifle offers precision shooting with deadly accuracy. A basic AR carbine is extremely light, weight comes from all the "gee whiz" gadgets you bolt onto it. Unlike standard barrels, being both heavy and stiff, it is more difficult for a bull barrel to get damaged such as a warp or dent. The LW barrel will do good enough with 3G. An amateur trains until he gets it right, a professional trains until he can't get it wrong. You get a rifle better suited for your duty use which should be your main concern and you get the middy has system. The way you intend to use your weapon will help you determine the most appropriate length. Before you choose this option, ... A twist rate of 1:7 is the standard for military weapons. If you want to reap the benefits of a lightweight build, check them out. If you are building a lightweight AR, for competition or any other reason, the barrel is the next logical step. The standard AR barrel with an M4 contour and mid-length gas system weighs about 1 lb 11.2 oz (1.7 lbs). Buy with your duty carry in mind first, would be my way of thinking. Does the standard barrel "do" anything the lightweight doesn't? It is button rifled and given an 11-degree target crown to ensure excellent accuracy. They are well known for their "Gunner" series of parts but if you want the ultimate in lightweight, take a look at their pencil barrels. If you are building a lightweight AR, for competition or any other reason, the barrel is the next logical step. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, troubleshooting, accessories, classifieds, and more! It does mean that heat is going to open your groups up a bit faster than other barrels with less mass. A medium profile barrel and a lightweight profile barrel. The accuracy of a gun depends on the way the bullets comes out of the barrel. When All Is Said And Done. I have an ACE ARFX stock. Wouldn't be my first choice for 3G but neither would the carbine barrel that is your other option. Want more posts like this one? Also, it has an aluminum chassis that most shooters prefer over a composite stock. Don't wish it was easier, wish you were better Faxon AR-15 5.56 Pencil barrels have a narrow O.D. It held a sub MOA group after dumping 90 rounds as fast as they could and then shot a 5 shot group for size. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In addition to meeting the distance requirements of most shooters, rifle barrel lengths of 16” or greater do not require a Class III tax stamp from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. ROCK6 While it has the profile of a hammer forged bull barrel, it is actually shrouded in carbon fiber (or aluminum) with axial tension at both ends for rigidity without the weight of the heavy steel barrels. To match that spine with bullets the diameter of macadamia nuts, you’ll need many pounds of barrel alloy. As a result, it is easier to maintain a bull barrel than a standard one. You will begin in the fight the other guy has planned for. This is done for strength and longevity (more than is every needed but amazing to have). If you will be sho… You will never begin in the fight you have planned for. You want a light barrel, but you also want quality and accuracy. One unique thing they do is cryogenically treat, and then double heat treat stress relieve their barrels. JavaScript is disabled. Jonathan graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. Retailing for $515 from their website but found at websites like Rainier Arms for $469 they are truly the best quality manufactured light barrel out there, in my very humble opinion. We’re an online magazine experience for the gun culture. From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm. A good lightweight AR will not only be easy to carry but will also have reduced recoil and be just as accurate as the heavier competition counterparts. Barrels can be as long as 24 inches, and as short as 5.5 inches. These barrels were both made by Bravo Company USA And made with the same … "If you're not shootin', you should be loadin'. Suite 500, Troy, Michigan 48084 USA. Chambered in .223 Wylde, with .625" gas block location, a mid-length gas system, and a 1:8 twist, you can be sure they'll run just about anything you can feed them, reliably. The barrel length of an AR-15 rifle can vary wildly between different designs, intents, and even calibers. AR15.COM is the world’s largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types. Subscribe to Guns & Tactics Magazine to receive email updates and special offers direct to your inbox! I like products that outperform my expectations, and they have never disappointed. Duty needs first and foremost, but long range accuracy could be critical there. Honestly? That's gonna be an entirely different thread! The barrel weighs 1 lb 8.6 oz (1.54 lbs) and is available in bead-blasted stainless steel or black. He also has competed in both 3 Gun and IDPA. Grey Ghost Precision Combat Pistol Review, A Wish List for a Dream 300 Blackout Build, Recognize Kindness: News from the Tango Yankee Project, Prepping, Not Just for the Fringes Anymore – Part Three, Prepping, Not Just for the Fringes Anymore – Part Two. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing (Edmund Burke). Jonathan has been in the firearms industry for 12 years. The traditional wisdom goes: Lightweight or “pencil” profile barrels can shoot great – just so long as you don’t get them hot. I was looking for an 11.5 or 12.5 BFH but all I can find in stock is an 11.5 enhanced light weight. The BCM barrel is button rifled as opposed to hammer forged, and I discuss the difference later on in this article. Weighing in at 1 lb 3.2 oz (1.2 lbs) it is the lightest on my list. 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