Fluted AR barrels...? "M4"-type with fluting?

[Harold Mayo]

I've seen pictures of 16" "M4"-type barrels that were fluted that I really liked. Have always run a standard heavy barrel, never a lightweight or even an M4-type and am wanting something a little different. Model 1 Sales and Bushmaster both tell me that they don't flute M4 barrels. Does anyone know who does?

 

[Werewolf]

Are you saying BushMaster doesn't flute 16" barrels? Their catalog, 2006 v.1 states they do flute barrels.

The BM Modular Carbine (pg 10 Catalog 2006 v.1) can be purchased with a fluted 16" barrel. Buy a handle with it and you've got yourself an M4 for all practical purposes.

Pg 13 BM Predator 20" fluted barrel as well as the Varminter with a 24" fluted barrel.

Pg 25 Uppers add $50 for fluting...

The 2006 v.1 is their latest catalog as far as I know. Call BM again and tell 'em to look at page 10.

 

[pcf]

I've seen fluted "M4 profile" barrels with the M203 cut on the barrel, don't remember who did it though..... not many places will bother because a 14.5" barrel has room for 3/4" long flutes between the flash hider and the 203 cut and about 3/4" flutes between the FSB and the 203 cut. That's a lot of machining and labor for small results. Even a 16" barrel doesn't add much. If you're willing to spend an extra $100-125, and wait 2 or 3 months you shouldn't have a problem finding someone that will do the work for you.

 

[Harold Mayo]

Are you saying BushMaster doesn't flute 16" barrels? Their catalog, 2006 v.1 states they do flute barrels.

The BM Modular Carbine (pg 10 Catalog 2006 v.1) can be purchased with a fluted 16" barrel. Buy a handle with it and you've got yourself an M4 for all practical purposes.

Pg 13 BM Predator 20" fluted barrel as well as the Varminter with a 24" fluted barrel.

Pg 25 Uppers add $50 for fluting...

The 2006 v.1 is their latest catalog as far as I know. Call BM again and tell 'em to look at page 10.

I'm saying that two e-mails and a telephone inquiry to Bushmaster in which I spoke to two different people all got the answer that they don't flute M4 barrels and that they never have, despite my protests that I've SEEN such fluting straight from them before.

I somehow doubt that telling them to look at their catalog is going to get them to change their answer.

 

[telomerase]

I somehow doubt that telling them to look at their catalog is going to get them to change their answer.

Try shipping them one of their fluted barrels then.

 

[Harold Mayo]

<sigh>

Try shipping them one of their fluted barrels then.

M4, M4, M4, M4!

They say that they will not flute M4 profile barrels....!

 

[Freddymac]

Check out DPMS

I'm pretty sure that I have seen them in their catalog.

 

[Lebben-B]

POF-USA offers it's Gas Piston upper with fluted barrels with the M4 profile. The barrels, IIRC, are from Mike Rock of Rock Creek Barrels. I don't know if POF offers the barrels separately, but I'm pretty sure you could order one fom Rock Creek itself.

Mike

 

[DMK]

I realize that you probably just want the M4 with fluting for looks, but it seems to me that their superlight (A1 profile) barrels are another way to go and you get the chrome lined 4150 steel. Probably not what you want, but just an option.

Bushmaster Barrel Weights:

Barrel Weight In Pounds ( for milled front sight subtract 0.2 pounds )

Barrel length_______Heavy Barrels______ Fluted Barrels

10"___________________2.0_________________1.9
11.5"________________ 2.2_________________2.0
14.5"________________ 2.5_________________2.2
16"___________________2.7_________________2.3
14.5"AK_______________2.7_________________2.4
14.5"MY_______________2.7_________________2.4
14.5"AM (phantom)_____2.7_________________2.4
11.5/5.5"____________ 2.6_________________2.5
16" Dissipator________3.0_________________2.6
20"___________________3.5_________________3.0
24"___________________3.9_________________3.1
26"___________________4.0_________________3.2

Military Style Barrels
16" Superlight________1.9
14.5"M4_______________2.0
14.5"M4AK____________ 2.2
14.5"M4MY____________ 2.2
14.5"M4AM (phantom)___2.2
16"M4_________________2.2
16"M4 Dissipator______2.3
20"A2(govt profile)___2.5

 

[Harold Mayo]

Yeah, it's totally for looks. No other purpose. I don't care about the supposed cooling factor or lightening (not really)...I just think that the fluted M4 barrels that I've seen sporting Phantom FH's are way cool-looking.

I may end up with a superlite Bushmaster without any frills as a truck gun, though.

 

[Werewolf]

To the best of my knowledge fluting a barrel is primarily done to stiffen it up. Fluting provides more surface area on the outside of the barrel than it would have without the fluting and what results is a stiffer barrel than one without fluting.

Lightening - sure but not much.
Cooling - sure - extra surface area but again not much over non fluted.

The real benefit of fluting is the extra stiffness and in a 16" barrel - is that really an issue.

So getting it for looks is probably as good a reason as any .