AR15 barrels?

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Smeh

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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.
 
Your choice of barrel should depend on how you intend to use it. Match, 3 gun and varmint have three sort of conflicting requirements.
Wilson barrels are OK; probably as good as any "drop in" (finish chambered) out there. Just about any maker can produce a sub MOA barrel that will shoot well for about 4000 rounds. (as long as it's not chrome lined.)
 
Thanks, that's useful to know. Also, I need to know what parts exactly I will need to be able to fix the barrel to my upper receiver, as well as my free float handguard.

What about the barrel extension? What's the difference between an "M4 barrel extension" and a regular one..? I don't want to screw up and get something that will throw the headspace all out of whack.

I just want to make sure that everything is 100% compatible when all the parts show up.

I can post a list of the parts I plan to get, if that helps. I'd definitely like some feedback as to how you guys think this build will be.
 
look for a dpms panther barrel if you can. i have a white oak armament barrel. unbalevable!!!!
 
I'm sure you have a parts list and exploded diagram of the barrel/receiver interface. One thing you will need is a GOOD barrel nut wrench; you have to tighten the nut to align the gas tube slot, not loosen.
Whatever barrel you buy will have the extension on it. That's why I prefer to buy a barrel short chambered so my 'smith can headspace it to my bolt. I don't have any experience with the M4 so I can't contribute anything about the "m4 barrel extension"? I expect others will chime in.
Good luck with your build.
 
I've been trying to find a DPMS barrel for quite a while now, but everywhere I look seems to have them backordered. Since I'm probably just going to use the rifle for plinking, it doesn't have to be the most accurate AR in the world. Still, I would definitely appreciate a high degree of accuracy. These are the parts I'm looking at right now:

DPMS flattop upper
CMMG complete lower
Wilson 16" chromemoly barrel
YHM 4 rail carbine length free float handguard
YHM low profile gas block with flip up sights
YHM flip up rear sights
Magpul CTR stock
Young Manufacturing chrome bolt + carrier

How does this sound? Seem like a decent build?

I'm also interested to know how to headspace a bolt myself. I really want to do this entire thing by myself, to become more familiar with the rifle. Sorry for all the newbie questions. Also, what tools will I absolutely need to build this thing?
 
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I was told that the wait time on my new Bushmaster was going to be 3-5 months, I really didnt care, but I recieved the email that it was sent in less than 2 weeks from order time.
The craze is slowed down to a trickle, and the production is catching up. Bushy and DPMS are owned by the same company probably use many of the same parts now.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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.
------------------------------------

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....
------------------------------------------

Just so you know,
Wilson short barrels are Kreiger production barrels,
Wilson 'Match' barrels are Kreiger first product barrels.
 
First off, a chromed chamber is one thing, but a chrome bore will never be super accurate... Mostly a backyard plinker...
Click to expand...
You've never fired an AR-15 equipped with an LMT, Colt, Sabre, or S&W (made by T/C Arms) hard chromed barrel have you? They're very good barrels, and plenty capable of distance shooting.

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.
Click to expand...
USMC still qualifies at 500 yards with Irons in basic using 20" barreled A2 & A4 M16s made by Colt & FN. 500 Yards is a long shot, and challenging for many shooters, but not challenging for a quality AR-15 or M-16. Kreiger (and other true match barrels) over 20" make the AR-15 capable of even longer shots. NRA Service Match High Power shooters are still limited to 20" max barrel length and iron sights. An AR-15 with a 22" or 24" Kreiger barrel and M4 / A4 upper topped with a scope should be capable of at least another 100 yards ( even though not all shooters can get this out of them).

Now, maybe you are one of those NRA High Power shooters, so your definitions of plinker & match accurate will be very different from those who focus on using the AR-15 as a defensive carbine.
 
Well, I want to get a 16" barrel. I'm still having a really difficult time finding a place that has a decent barrel in stock, that isn't out of my price range (looking to spend a maximum of $250).
 
M4 barrel extension has to do with two feed ramps machined into the lower section of the extension. Generally you want to match your barrel to your upper receiver. However, if your barrel has M4 ramps then any upper should work. If your barrel does not have M4 feed ramps, then you should select an upper that is not an M4 type.
 
What would be the difference between an M4 upper and a commercial upper?

Also, can anybody direct me to a place with some reasonably priced 16" barrels that are ready to ship now? Most places are severely backordered. I realize I may be asking for something that doesn't exist, but at least I tried, right? :)
 
try here. there Amazing barrels, and in your price range.

http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/

check out his whole site. he has uppers with the m4 cutouts allready in them. and they are competitovly priced to boot!
give him a call if you want. hes a good guy, and will try to help you however he can.

as to where you could get one NOW, good luck. they have been being backordered before the latest race to get them. if you want to have on know, my suggestion would be to go and find a complete upper at a local dealer, or online, and buy it. the upper can be sent straight to your house as there is no serial number on them, so they are not considered a gun. :)

an M4 is a 14.5" barrel with a cutout infront of the front sight base for an M203 grenade attachment. civilian M4 barrels will have a muzzle device pinned or welded to bring it to leagle length. (> 16") a carbine barrel will not have the barrel cutout for the M203 and will most likly be 16" without the muzzle device.

heres the differeance between rifle cut outs and m4 cutouts. http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=193
if you really want M4 ramps, try to get an upper reciever with the extensions also cut ito it. as you can see in the picture.

try this fellow. hes a good guy. [email protected] he had a lot of AR stuff a while ago, maybe he still does.

as to chrome, well, just dont listen to those who say they are not accurate barrels. they might not be as accurate as a krieger, or WOA stainless, but unless you shoot for prize money, you nor i could ever tell the differeance. i know that i cant. maybe your betyter than me, but many an excellent rifleman shoot very long distances with chromelimed barrels. if you dont believe me, talk to a camp perry or NRA high power compotion shooter.
 
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I would choose the Wilson over the DPMS and I would choose a Bushmaster chromelined over either of the other two for a general purpose shooting rifle.
 
stay away from DPMS, CMMG some are good, some are lemons, if you do get one have the chamber inspected by a gunsmith unless plan only on shooting .223 and not 5.56x45
 
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