What is the best source for a m16a1 barrel assembly?  1-12 twist?

Ar15sport.com has some nice ones, also brownells i would stay away from retrorifles.com they seem to have alot of negative feedback. If you want original they pop up on gunbroker pretty often.

This is kind of a bad time to be looking for one - most places are out of stock. I have both a GM-M15 Green Mountain 20" 1/12 barrel and a Brownells/Ballistic Advantage 1/12 20" barrel and both are excellent.

GM is probably going to be your best bet - I think someone else here contacted them and they said they expect those to be back in stock in July.

I just got one at JSE Surplus but like almost everyone else they now are out of stock.

Read this thread OP.

Yup that was me:  If you don't want to dig through my thread the pertinent info is below:



ETA: For perspective that response was from the first week in May.

I have a GM 1-12 twist on my M16A1 and it was worth it (other than I had it parkerized since it came in black). I read in the past mentioned thread you were possibly interested in a 1-7 twist barrel pencil profile. I purchased one from Dez Tactical Arms 2-3 years ago for my retro clone Colt Model 711. A very nice and accurate barrel indeed! Drawbacks for why a lot of retro brothers probably are not interested: Price. M4 barrel extension. Not chrome lined (this one is nitro carburized). Black not parkerized. Barrel marking at end of barrel (cosmetic). Plus you'd have to have barrel sent off for front sight base to be attached.

John Thomas fitted a correct Colt FSB and re-parked my barrel to match rest of rifle. Looks great! It was pricey, but I'm happy. Give Dez Tactical Arms a look. And their 1-7 twist barrels are in stock. Good luck fellow buckeye!

https://www.shop.deztacticalarms.com/20-Pencil-Retro-Lightweight-Barrel-425091R-7.htm

Ah I just got an email that a label has been printed and my tracking number. I've been sweating bullets that JSE Surplus was going to say sorry the barrel wasn't actually in stock. Now I get to swat bullets until the brown truck shows up hopefully with the right barrel and in acceptable condition.

Watch the EE and watch vendors. I lucked out a few days ago and found a used Brownells A1 barrel in the EE for less than $200. I had thought about GMB and even Del-Ton and a few others, but having my FSB and other parts added to a stripped barrel would have cost a lot more.