AR Question #1: Barrels

[bratch]

I'm having an upper built and have begun researching what parts I want to use. This will be a general purpose rifle and will probably wear a 1-4 Accupoint. Reliability, weight and accuracy and my top concerns. I'm not wanting anything shorter an a 16" midlength.

Barrels I'm looking at are

1. 16" SS White Oak
http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/

2. 16" Sabre M5 Midlength
http://www.sabredefence.com/commercial.php?focus=barrel

3. 18" Sabre Chrome moly
http://www.pkfirearms.com/store/get_items.aspx?type=0&term=70

4. 18" Sabre SS
http://www.pkfirearms.com/store/get_items.aspx?type=0&term=70

5. Noveske N4 (depending on cost)

Suggestions; thoughts?

 

[briansmithwins]

I'm pretty darn happy with my 16" midlength from CMMG. Lightweight is the way to go for balance. If you use a freefloat tube there is no downside to the light barrel.

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/?shop=1&cart=1114249&cat=41&

BSW

 

[taliv]

bratch! how's it going? tell your SO we said 'hi'

if weight is super-important and your budget can swing it... try an ABS carbon fiber barrel. the one on my competition gun is 17" plus a 3" compensator, 1:7 twist, rifle-length gas, wylde chamber, and only 13oz! makes a world of difference. that's about half of what most SBR barrels weigh.

 

[bratch]

Going well. Will do.

We've talked about heading your way on vacation if we do we'll have to look you up.

I looked up the ABS and its a bit more than what I'm wanting right now. I'm planning on building 2 uppers so the 2 ABS would really set me back.

 

[308sc]

WHITE OAK....I see them riding the most accuracy obsessed guys AR-15's I know...but just about anyone of those is capable of good accuracy.

 

[taliv]

cool. we've got a spare bedroom if you're passing through.

all the choices you listed are good stuff. i have two white oaks. one's a national match setup for CMP and the other is a general purpose that i take to carbine classes. i got the later barrel from denny's guns. put the larue stuff on your shortlist too

 

[bratch]

Planning on DD 9.0 Lite Rail and Larue mounts.

 

[rbernie]

I completely concur on the recommendation for a CMMG lightweight middie. It makes the weapon so much faster and handier that you'll wonder why you ever thought that the 'reccie' profile was all that.

It's also reasonably affordable.

 

[hags]

For an M4gery get an LMT upper. For range/target/varmint use go with WOA. They produce some real tack drivers.

 

[Coronach]

I just went through the same dilemma. for a GP rifle, it's hard to beat the CMMG lightweight middy 16".

For a GP accuracy freak rifle, Denny's Guns sells a recon profile White Oak Precision match barrel that I also own but, erm, might not have yet assembled into an upper. Yeah. Er. Anyway, I did hand-fit it onto an upper and put that upper on a lower and [strike]ran around my house playing SWAT[/strike] tested it for balance. It is heavier than the lightweight middy (duh), but it still balances very well. Accuracy, by all accounts (except mine. yet.), should be superb.

Ask Taliv about his. He loves it.

Mike

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I like the 16" mids... I don't know that you get that much more performance for the extra 2" and both of those 18" barrels are heavier profiles too.

I don't think you will be disappointed with any of those choices though.