SMEH said:
Obviously with the currently inflated prices, the cost of anything AR15 is completely out the roof. However, despite the political climate, I've still decided to go ahead and build my AR15.
I'm having a hard time finding a suitable barrel, and was wondering what you guys think the best "bang for your buck" is at the moment, as far as barrels are concerned.
Is there anything wrong with a 16" 1x9 twist chrome moly Wilson or DPMS barrel? Or should I look elsewhere?
I'll probably have more questions here soon, since this will be my first AR build.
First off, a chromed chamber is one thing, but a chrome bore will never be super accurate... Mostly a backyard plinker...
Secondly, before I invested in buying a chrome-molly barrel (hard to machine, sensitive to heat) I'd buy a stainless steel barrel... Less maintinance, just as accurate, and won't strip rifling if you fire lot's of ammo real fast like chrome-molly rifling will strip once overheated.
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As for assembled top ends and entire rifles,
The only shortage is in 'Poodle Shooters' or people wanting to make some money off the 'NEXT' assault weapons ban...
(and I'm smart enough to use the term 'Assault Weapons' loosely here...)
Right now, you can build one for about the same money you could buy one a year ago.
I'm putting rifles together for $350 to $550 every day, depending on what parts you want used.
Personally, I'd go with a Kreiger 22" or 24" 'Match' barrel.
It will be twice the price of the barrels you are probably looking at, but it's worth the extra money if you intend to hit anything past 300 yards with any consistency.
As for 'Short Barrels', Kreiger has a 'Back Door' plant that makes 'Production' barrels that are better than most of the DMPS stuff... And about the same price...
I'd also keep my eye out for a barrel like you describe, and 'Plinker' or 'Ammo Waster' barrel that will shoot fine, but will never be a tack driver....
Nothing like just changing the barrel or entire top end to go from carbine to actual full size rifle!
DPMS and most of the others have jacked up their prices,
And if you squawk about the increase, they say, 'Just TRY and find a barrel somewhere else!"
So I tell them I'm calling Krieger, and suddenly the attitude stops and they start making deals...
Kreiger is back ordered for the match barrels, but they haven't jacked the prices up like so many of the others...
Anyway, just a tip from someone that also builds AR's....
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Just so you know,
Wilson short barrels are Kreiger production barrels,
Wilson 'Match' barrels are Kreiger first product barrels.