Light Weight AR Barrel

[MtnCreek]

Suggestions please on a light (or lighter) weight AR barrel in 5.56. I’m looking for something I can run hot and still get decent accuracy on mid range targets (like 400 yd hits on steel). 16” or 18”, not really married to either length at this point. I think standard chrome lined would serve my needs just fine. Suggestion on what to get, as well as what to avoid would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[briansmithwins]

BCM lightweight.

If you can find them in stock.

BSW

 

[rbernie]

I have a couple of lightweight CMMG pencil barrels that have been very satisfying in accuracy.

 

[Robert]

I use a Gov't profile and like it. How light are you looking to go? You can get pencil barrels but I would imagine they do not do well with heat.

 

[dprice3844444]

green mountain barrels

 

[MtnCreek]

How light are you looking to go?

Probably something like a Gov profile. I have a couple of ‘blasters’ w/ that contour, but they are not shooters in my hands. Both <edit: one is fairly low rd count, can't shoot it either> are probably towards the end of their useful life and both are A2 irons, so that’s probably the reason I can’t shoot them well at any distance. I built a SPR look-alike with the intent of having a fun mid range toy and also use it for a little 3gun. I now understand the difference! I used a WOA SPR barrel (shoots great by the way), but it’s slow to transition (getting it to stop on the target is what’s really a pain).

BCM is out of stock and WO doesn’t have anything that’s light. My budget is somewhere around $250. Who has a good rep for barrels like this?

Thanks!

 

[taliv]

PSA was selling lightweight barrels that they sort of hinted were made by FN. i haven't tried one

 

[Art Eatman]

FWIW: My CMMG flat-top upper with a slow-twist lightweight 20" is sub-MOA with a K4 on top. Truck gun varmint rig.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

I have a Del-ton 20 pencil, just this last weekend I threw a low end scope on it's carry handle to see if it'd work as a loaner gopher getter for a fiend. it held just under 2" at 100 yards from the bench. FWIW

 

[TonyAngel]

Fortunately, there is a lot of good equipment out there right now. I really haven't found any fault with any of the barrels mentioned thus far. I'll just throw in Daniel Defense as an alternative.

 

[JustinJ]

I'd just go with a pencil barrel from PSA, Daniel Defense or BCM. I think they all have them. Gov't profile will do nothing for you but make your gun more front heavy.

 

[Jim Watson]

There are shops that will turn your existing barrel to a lighter contour for a lot less cost than a new one.

 

[TonyAngel]

Yeah, you could have your existing barrel recontoured. Adco Firearms.

 

[MtnCreek]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I tended to be an AR parts hoarded for a while, so I have at least a half rifle laying around; I'll just keep the spr look-a-like as is and build a new rifle.

I'd just go with a pencil barrel from PSA, Daniel Defense or BCM. I think they all have them. Gov't profile will do nothing for you but make your gun more front heavy.

I was checking out the PSA 16" mid gassed barrels. One is Gov profile and the other is pencil. What practical purpose does the additional barrel dia serve from gas block to muzzle on the gov profile? From just past the chamber to the gas block the barrel is thin, does the additional barrel dia from gas block to muzzle do anything for accuracy?

Also, the PSA barrels claim to have twice the chrome lining than standard. Anyone experience any issues with a barrel like that?

Thanks!