Looking for a 10.3" 5.56 barrel, recommendations?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking for a 10.3" 5.56 barrel, recommendations?

Posted: 1/20/2018 1:38:32 AM EDT

Can anyone recommend a nice reliable 10.3" 5.56 barrel that is accurate, can shoot all types of ammo, and be suppressed or not?

So many choices out there. I am also open to 10.5" but trying to keep it short as I can. TIA

Posted: 1/20/2018 2:38:57 AM EDT

[#1]

Are you looking for anything in particular as far as profile or coating preferences?

Posted: 1/20/2018 3:11:00 AM EDT

[#2]

If you can’t find a DD, then Ballisitc Advantage or Faxon will work well suppressed.

Posted: 1/20/2018 3:17:45 AM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you can’t find a DD, then Ballisitc Advantage or Faxon will work well suppressed.

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This

Ballistic Advantage is a excellent value for a quality barrel

Posted: 1/20/2018 8:47:28 AM EDT

[#4]

AndroCorp (rebranded Ballistic Advantage) has a few options.

Posted: 1/20/2018 8:59:40 AM EDT

[#5]

Daniel Defense

Posted: 1/20/2018 1:44:13 PM EDT

[#6]

Andro

Posted: 1/20/2018 8:18:04 PM EDT

[#7]

anything with .070 gas port. I run only 556 through my cut down colts and DD barrels with a standard spring and h2 buffer with or without a can.

Id say Andro, as mentioned above.

Posted: 1/21/2018 6:11:10 PM EDT

[#8]

Andro, which is a ballistic advantage barrel. I have one of there 10.3 fsb barrels with the .070 GP. I have been nothing but impressed by it. No problems running suppressed or unsuppressed and accuracy has been fantastic at 100 yards.. 100 yards is the farthest i have taken it out to.

Posted: 1/24/2018 2:40:21 PM EDT

[#9]

Thanks for all the recs. Looks like I am going to give Andro a whirl. Do they pin on gas blocks?

Posted: 1/24/2018 2:48:48 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks for all the recs. Looks like I am going to give Andro a whirl. Do they pin on gas blocks?

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I don't think they pin gas blocks, but they will dimple the barrel for a gas block screw if you ask. I sent you an email.

Posted: 1/24/2018 10:23:51 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks for all the recs. Looks like I am going to give Andro a whirl. Do they pin on gas blocks?

View Quote

could always get a FSP barrel and shave it if they have that option available.

Posted: 1/25/2018 2:26:49 PM EDT

[#12]

After more reviewing I have decided on going with the BA Hanson 10.3. Has anyone used this barrel? Wondering if it's ammo picky and what buffer to use. I might try out the G spring and buffer.

Posted: 1/26/2018 12:43:14 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
After more reviewing I have decided on going with the BA Hanson 10.3. Has anyone used this barrel? Wondering if it's ammo picky and what buffer to use. I might try out the G spring and buffer.

View Quote

Any idea on what the gas port size is? What type of ammo do you typically shoot?

Over in the MK18 thread a lot has been discussed. .070 ported barrels run 556 with standard springs and H2 buffers. My gun set up the same will not run PMC, remington UMC or wolf steel cased 223 without my suppressor attached.

So many variables come into play, i would email BA and ask for the gas port size and pick a buffer to start with depending the ammo you most likely will be feeding the gun.

Posted: 1/26/2018 3:08:59 AM EDT

[#14]

I’ve had a BA 10.3 for a 3 years, the barrel has been reliable as anything else I own. I use it with the Bootleg bolt carrier, was using the Gemtech before that. What all do you want to know?

Posted: 1/26/2018 10:26:15 AM EDT

[#15]

PSA has a 10.5 M4 upper, without BCG and CH for $168 shipped. You can get that with either a coated or phosphate CM 1/7 barrel.

Posted: 1/26/2018 1:23:30 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
Any idea on what the gas port size is? What type of ammo do you typically shoot?

Over in the MK18 thread a lot has been discussed. .070 ported barrels run 556 with standard springs and H2 buffers. My gun set up the same will not run PMC, remington UMC or wolf steel cased 223 without my suppressor attached.

So many variables come into play, i would email BA and ask for the gas port size and pick a buffer to start with depending the ammo you most likely will be feeding the gun.

View Quote

I found .067 as the port size.

Posted: 1/26/2018 1:26:05 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
I’ve had a BA 10.3 for a 3 years, the barrel has been reliable as anything else I own. I use it with the Bootleg bolt carrier, was using the Gemtech before that. What all do you want to know?

View Quote

What accuracy are you getting? How far have you reached with it? AND, is it picky with ammo?

I mostly shoot m193 or m855. Expensive stuff for HD.

ETA: Do you see an adjustable carrier as necessary with a can?

@TATBME

Posted: 1/26/2018 1:41:16 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:

What accuracy are you getting? How far have you reached with it? AND, is it picky with ammo?

I mostly shoot m193 or m855. Expensive stuff for HD.

ETA: Do you see an adjustable carrier as necessary with a can?

@TATBME

View Quote

Accuracy has been less than 2 moa, but I’m using a red dot.
I usually just shoot out to 100 yds on a private range, I’ve taken it out to 300.
It has eaten everything I’ve put thru it, 90% of my ammo fort is wolf gold. I’m trying to burn thru my M855 and wolf steel case stash now, still no hiccups.

Posted: 1/26/2018 2:44:16 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:

Accuracy has been less than 2 moa, but I’m using a red dot.
I usually just shoot out to 100 yds on a private range, I’ve taken it out to 300.
It has eaten everything I’ve put thru it, 90% of my ammo fort is wolf gold. I’m trying to burn thru my M855 and wolf steel case stash now, still no hiccups.

View Quote

Good to hear. Thanks

Posted: 1/26/2018 9:51:28 PM EDT

[#20]

KAK 10.5" Melonite Value-line got my money. https://www.kakindustry.com/ar-15-parts/upper-parts/barrels/5-56-mm/10-5-inch/contract-556-105-inch-carbine-melonite-barrel

Posted: 2/3/2018 12:32:07 PM EDT

[#21]

I recently got a 1:7 melonited 10.5" M4 barrel by Ballistic Advantage for $105. Tough to beat that. They make the Hanson model that is 10.3" IIRC.

Posted: 4/11/2018 6:35:55 PM EDT

[#22]

You BA Hanson 10.3" users. Any issues with shift POI using suppressor and none?

Posted: 4/11/2018 8:02:07 PM EDT

[#23]

Daniel Defense

Posted: 4/11/2018 11:58:45 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
Daniel Defense

View Quote

+1

Posted: 5/12/2018 6:23:59 PM EDT

[#25]

I went with a LMT 10.5 " upper, and shaved the fsb to fit under a 10" handguard. With a standard CAR buffer spring and H2 buffer it ejects at 3 o'clock unsuppressed, and moves to 2:30 with a Gemtech Trek-T.

I shoot 90% m193 and 10% MK262's ( 77grn)

No failures in over 5k rounds execpt a couple blown primers using some old (92-93 mfr) SS109's from the UAE.

My buddy has a Daniel Defense 10.3 with a Surefire SOCOM and it throws brass at 1 o'clock with a H3 buffer. Very over gassed.

Posted: 5/12/2018 11:49:36 PM EDT

[#26]

DD would be my preferred choice for a 10.3"

Posted: 5/13/2018 2:46:48 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
DD would be my preferred choice for a 10.3"

View Quote

This

Posted: 5/15/2018 9:17:48 PM EDT

[#28]

DD has notoriously large gas ports. I have a couple DD barrels in other applications but would not be my first choice for 10.3".

Posted: 5/15/2018 11:11:03 PM EDT

[#29]

The last 3 10.3" Barrels I got from DD were all .070" gas ports. They are for sure the #1 choice if you don't want to spend custom barrel money. If you want to spend a little bit more then contact Craddock Precision. Paul is an artist and will make you whatever you want.

Posted: 5/16/2018 7:11:06 AM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
DD has notoriously large gas ports. I have a couple DD barrels in other applications but would not be my first choice for 10.3".

View Quote

Fake news, DD gas ports have been properly sized for a long time now.

Posted: 5/16/2018 7:17:34 AM EDT

[#31]

Good call on the BA Hanson, mine runs great, it’s not over gassed and can reliably hit gongs at 200 yards FWIW

Attached File

Posted: 5/16/2018 8:50:23 AM EDT

[#32]

This is the barrel I have. I use it with a SA adjustable gas block, h2 buffer, and a sandman-s suppressor. I've had no issues with the barrel being picky with ammo.

Posted: 6/2/2018 11:38:40 PM EDT

[#33]

I’ve been running DD 10.3 lately with 5.56 ammo.

I also have had and still do, LMT 10.5. I have alway
Run Shit Wolf and real brass through the LMT without issue.

Standard spring and H buffer.

Posted: 6/3/2018 9:01:38 PM EDT

[#34]

Anyone know where you can find .070 gas port DD barrels for sure. Most vendors make no mention of the size in their copy and paste descriptions. Id like to get a replacement for my DD mk18 setup and not get stuck with old stock .080+ civilian setups.

Fyi my upper came from one of Brownells recent sales and has the .070 port. Not one issue with H and H2 buffers. I shoot wolf gold, M193 clones, and the sgammo specific steel cased ammo. With or without an AAC can.

Posted: 6/4/2018 1:19:13 AM EDT

[#35]

I spoke with DD several months ago, was told that 10.3 barrels produced after July 2017 have
a .070 gas port.

Posted: 6/5/2018 5:55:33 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
I spoke with DD several months ago, was told that 10.3 barrels produced after July 2017 have
a .070 gas port.

View Quote

Same here. I just bought one through ExpertVoice. And it was already dimpled so my Geissele Super Gas Block was an easy install.

Posted: 10/7/2018 12:15:18 PM EDT

[#37]

Recently purchased a 10.3" with fsb from Andro. They listed both the .070" and .078" I went with the larger due only to their default "warning" for the .070" port. "This barrel may not cycle 100% when operated without a suppressor"

Didn't care to take the risk though I read here it's likely not an issue.

After working out some gremlins, I was able to begin a sustained test and zeroing.

I first went with 2 rounds in the magazine. H3 buffer. Bolt failed to lock back. Not an expert by any means but found that strange with a .078" port. Switched to H buffer, did 2 more rounds and all was well. I have a 10.5" (Faxon) and 8.5" (PSA) that could care less what buffer is installed. Believe the Faxon is a .080" / 0.81" and the 8.5" barrel is a .063". With those, I detect very little difference in "feel" or direction / distance of tossed brass.

These are all with PMC X-TAC 55gr (5.56).

Posted: 10/7/2018 2:44:34 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
Anyone know where you can find .070 gas port DD barrels for sure. Most vendors make no mention of the size in their copy and paste descriptions. Id like to get a replacement for my DD mk18 setup and not get stuck with old stock .080+ civilian setups.

Fyi my upper came from one of Brownells recent sales and has the .070 port. Not one issue with H and H2 buffers. I shoot wolf gold, M193 clones, and the sgammo specific steel cased ammo. With or without an AAC can.

View Quote

IIRC all DD 10.3" barrels since June/July 2017 are now 0.070" gas ports. I ordered mine from Optics Planet May 2018. It has a 0.070" gas port. I recon since the change has been place for a little over a year, any DD 10.3" barrel purchased new from any online retailer such as Optics Planet or Brownells will have this updated gas port.

Posted: 10/13/2018 11:58:35 PM EDT

[#39]

I have a DD 10.3” on one of my uppers I built years ago; shoots well, but with my SWR Specwar, it is very over gassed. The last 10.3” barrel I built out I cut down a Colt 6920 barrel, had it opened up to 0.072 by my gunsmith to shoot both suppressed and unsuppressed. I can say that it is not overgassed with/without suppressor, and shoots everything reliable with any ammo.

Posted: 10/17/2018 7:56:50 AM EDT

[#40]

I have a Colt 6920 barrel cut down to 10.3" and opened to 0.070" by ADCO. It's been 100% unsuppressed with a Geissele Super 42 and an H1 running M193.

Posted: 10/17/2018 1:12:59 PM EDT

[#41]

Quote History

Quoted:
You BA Hanson 10.3" users. Any issues with shift POI using suppressor and none?

View Quote

Thats usually a more function of the can than the barrel.

my 13.7 BA seems to be none with a GA sportsmen and tapermount brake. also runs great with or without the can and doesn't need a gemtech SBC to run well like my BCM does.

Posted: 10/23/2018 6:21:55 PM EDT

[#42]

So after some time with the 10.3" Ballistic Advantage CHF CL barrel, I am happy to report that it is a >2MOA with a T2 RDS sitting on top. Very smooth shooting and isn't a picky eater.

I have only shot it suppressed so far and with the Sandman-S and H2 buffer it has been a pleasure.

10/10

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking for a 10.3" 5.56 barrel, recommendations?

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