Current M-16 Barrel Profile Revisited

[Nero Steptoe]

There was a recent thread regarding the type of barrels used in current M-16 A-2's. Somebody (I believe it was Badger Arms) replied with a pic that showed a thin barrel under the handguards, with HBAR diameter from the gas block to the muzzle. We were told that was the standard-issue M-16 barrel.

Within the past couple of days, there was a pic in the Atlanta J/C, showing a Marine with his M-16's handguards removed. Barrel was HBAR, from barrel nut to muzzle.

 

[gun-fucious]

what is current design vs what is in the field can be quite different

take a look at all the nifty barrel profiles on the new Bushmaster online catalog

http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/barrel-assemblies/

20in Government Profile Post-Ban Barrel
This is a very light barrel_ 20†Post-Ban A2 Government profile model. It’s in standard diameter from the front sight forward, but under the handguards it is turned down to .625†diameter for reduced weight.

NEW - Bushmaster "Superlight 16" Barrel Assembly for Pre Ban Rifles (includes bayonet lug and flash suppressor) and Post Ban. Definitely the lightest 16" barrel we've ever offered - as requested by many of you. Diameter is .625 inches from the chamber all the way forward - similar to the original Vietnam era A1 barrel profile.

 

[Onslaught]

A couple years ago, an Army captain I was talking with at a gun shop told me that the military was switching to the full HBAR (including under the handguards) on all new M16's and M4's for the added strength...

While I was ordering my new upper from Bushmaster a few weeks later, I asked the guy on the phone (also military) about that rumor, and his answer was "I'm sorry sir, that's classified information"

Of course, with so many 16's in service already, you're probably likely to see 100 "skinny" barrels for every new HBAR... IF that actually came to pass in the first place.

I personally prefer fluted over "skinny/fat" for a light weight, more evenly balanced barrel.

 

[Badger Arms]

Military specification is for small diameter under handguards to accomodate the M203 grenade launcher. If you notice the profile on the M-4, it is stepped where the M203 attaches.

Having said that, the Marines utilize the DESIGNATED MARKSMAN concept which may very well include a full heavy barrel. There is nothing classified about this. We ususally tell civilians that something is 'classified' to shut them up or make ourselves seem more important. Yes, I did post the picture that I got, I believe, from the Bushmaster site. Yes, that is the standard barrel profile. Are there rifles out there with a heavier profile? Maybe. I need to see the pictures and the reference. Would be interesting. I cannot see the purpose behind changing the spec at this point.

 

[Nero Steptoe]

I wasn't questioning whether there were "skinny under the handguards" barrels currently in use, but got the idea from the previous thread that there were no "HBAR under the handguards" barrels in use. I was a little suprised to see the pic in the Atlanta J/C.

 

[Badger Arms]

Where's the Pics?

I'd like to see if there's a scope on that puppy!

 

[Onslaught]

We ususally tell civilians that something is 'classified' to shut them up or make ourselves seem more important.

Judging by all the other things he was telling me about, and how he answered every question I had with a 5 minute answer that included a story about him and the feats he had performed with the M16.... I'd guess it was the latter.

 

[Jeff White]

The Marines have a program called SAMR which uses and M16A4 with a heavy barrel. That would be the only HBAR full size rifle issued. IMHO the heavy barrel isn't necessary, the standard A2 profile barrel provides enough accuracy for what they want to do, but then I'm not running the program.

The new production M4A1s (full auto, not burst) are coming from Colt with a 14.5" heavy barrel. This is in responce to some issues with the M4 contour barrel and large amounts of full auto fire. I have heard a rumor that this entire issue was caused by some people in SOF expending ammunition at the end of a training exercise and that some rules may have been broken. Don't know if it's true or a military urban legend though.

All M16A2s, A3s and A4s (except the ones the USMC is experimenting with in the SAMR program) are issued with the standard profile barrel.

Jeff

 

[Nero Steptoe]

"Where's the Pics?

I'd like to see if there's a scope on that puppy"

The pics were in the paper several days ago. I don't have any way of posting them. There was no scope. I believe it was a regular old A-2.

 

[Badger Arms]

Somebody has to have the picture that they can scan and post or email.