16" Lightweight Mid 308 Barrel

[matai]

Anybody know where to find a lightweight 16" 308 barrel with a mid-length gas system for the DPMS pattern AR's?

Thanks!

 

[Z-Michigan]

As of today, no.

Bushmaster (Shrubmaster) is coming out with a 16" barreled midlength gas .308 on the DPMS pattern sometime this year. That may be one option.

CMMG has been making DPMS .308-compatible lowers for a while now and is supposed to be introducing a complete .308 rifle any day now. When they do it's likely that they will offer a midlength gas option, some barrel options, and probably the upper group by itself (not just as a complete rifle). For quality and price that's the one I would be most interested in.

There are some smaller companies making .308 rifles or uppers on the DPMS pattern but I don't know of any that are currently offering a 16" midlength upper.

 

[matai]

SI Defense is selling a 16" M4 profile 308 barrel, and Fulton Armory is selling a lightweight Kreiger 18.5" barrel. Both weigh about the same, what would you get?

 

[Z-Michigan]

I would get the 18.5", personally, for several reasons:
-2.5" makes a difference in velocity
-I'm not a fan of the M4 profile, particularly since I don't own an M203
-I don't know what brand SI Defense is using, but Krieger is always a good brand, even in their less expensive line.

Of course if length is crucial than you would want the 16", but you probably wouldn't even be asking if length was that crucial.

I have a DPMS with a 18" barrel and it's a handy length.