A2's with 18 inch barrels and FSB's are gorgeous (pic)

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - A2's with 18 inch barrels and FSB's are gorgeous (pic)

Posted: 3/4/2014 5:35:24 PM EDT

I stole this picture from member "Blain" on a thread about gas port sizes (great thread, read HERE)

We need some more pics of this setup if anyone has one. Holy smokes does that look good:

Posted: 3/4/2014 5:52:13 PM EDT

[#1]

Just about any rifle with an A2 upper and FSB is gorgeous:)

Posted: 3/5/2014 3:30:02 AM EDT

[#2]

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Quoted:
Just about any rifle with an A2 upper and FSB is gorgeous:)

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You got that right !!

Posted: 3/5/2014 4:10:53 AM EDT

[#3]

Thanks Ankratz.

I really appreciate the compliments. I'm the type of person who, when something is unknown that interests me, will want to try to uncover everything about it through research, testing, etc.

I set out to build the "Ultimate" M16A2 type clone for my personal and any potential SHTF use. I love iron sights and classic KISS ARs, not a big fan of all the tacticool stuff that's around these days. I wanted the ultimate combat barrel, something that could be accurate and also withstand a lot of use. I also wanted the barrel to be lighter weight to keep the rifle handy and field useable. At first I chose a 20" CHF GI profile barrel, re-profiled in the front to save some weight. However, I wasn't totally happy with that. I only saved ~ 1.5 ounces, and while I like 20" barrels and full size guns, I know that for 5.56, you really don't gain anything past 18".

Why have those 2" extra if they are redundant? I would also have a rifle that was a little handier and lighter with the 2" shorter barrel without giving anything up ballistically. Luckily, I found the perfect barrel, the FN 18" GI profile CHF. A good durable and lightweight barrel at 18". The only thing that concerned me at that point was reliability and cycling. Now that I found the perfect gas port size for reliability and proper function, all is well. I now have my perfect hard use KISS SHTF M16A2 type rifle!

Posted: 3/5/2014 1:15:48 PM EDT

[#4]

I've been thinking of an 18' build and when I saw this pic in the other post - it got my gears turning.

Posted: 3/5/2014 4:05:21 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks Ankratz.

I really appreciate the compliments. I'm the type of person who, when something is unknown that interests me, will want to try to uncover everything about it through research, testing, etc.

I set out to build the "Ultimate" M16A2 type clone for my personal and any potential SHTF use. I love iron sights and classic KISS ARs, not a big fan of all the tacticool stuff that's around these days. I wanted the ultimate combat barrel, something that could be accurate and also withstand a lot of use. I also wanted the barrel to be lighter weight to keep the rifle handy and field useable. At first I chose a 20" CHF GI profile barrel, re-profiled in the front to save some weight. However, I wasn't totally happy with that. I only saved ~ 1.5 ounces, and while I like 20" barrels and full size guns, I know that for 5.56, you really don't gain anything past 18".

Why have those 2" extra if they are redundant? I would also have a rifle that was a little handier and lighter with the 2" shorter barrel without giving anything up ballistically. Luckily, I found the perfect barrel, the FN 18" GI profile CHF. A good durable and lightweight barrel at 18". The only thing that concerned me at that point was reliability and cycling. Now that I found the perfect gas port size for reliability and proper function, all is well. I now have my perfect hard use KISS SHTF M16A2 type rifle!

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Who has that barrel in stock?

Posted: 3/5/2014 4:54:50 PM EDT

[#6]

These people have the barrel in stock.

Ranier also carries the barrel, but at a higher price.

The FN Manufacturing 18" RifleLength CHF Barrel is made to stringent mil-specs for use in any M4/AR Style rifle build. Featuring a recessed muzzle crown, chrome bore/chamber and chrome moly vanadium Steel barrel made from the finest Mil-Spec steel per 11595E.

These 18" RifleLength COLD HAMMER FORGED Barrels are manufactured by FN use a steel and manufacturing process that is the same method used by FN to manufacture their M249 machine gun barrels. That means a high quality cold hammer forged barrel with chrome lining approximately TWICE AS THICK as a standard milspec M4 barrel. These barrels would be well suited for heavy use while maintaining exceptional longevity and accuracy.
If you are looking for a no compromise, high quality, high performance barrel, look no further.

FN tested.

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Posted: 3/6/2014 2:03:13 PM EDT

[#7]

Yeah, the A2 upper is one of the sexiest pieces of machinery ever dreamed up. NO question about it. Hoping that either Colt or FN will do an A2 rifle after or maybe even during the time that they are cranking the current A4 versions. That classic FSB doesn't hurt a thing either ! Huzzah !

Posted: 3/6/2014 2:05:32 PM EDT

[#8]

Question.....Who would be the best scource to get the FSB indexed and drilled? Adco maybe ???

Posted: 3/7/2014 3:56:20 AM EDT

[#9]

Blain,

What kind of groups are you getting with that barrel on a bench?

Thanks,

Posted: 3/7/2014 4:25:34 AM EDT

[#10]

14.5 a2's are sexy too.

Posted: 3/7/2014 4:51:00 AM EDT

[#11]

so, with an 18" barrel, who makes an "extended" midlength system so that you can use a regular pinned A2 front sight base and a bayonet?

That would be downright proper!

Posted: 3/7/2014 9:04:59 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
so, with an 18" barrel, who makes an "extended" midlength system so that you can use a regular pinned A2 front sight base and a bayonet?

That would be downright proper!

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Quoted:
so, with an 18" barrel, who makes an "extended" midlength system so that you can use a regular pinned A2 front sight base and a bayonet?

That would be downright proper!

I've already thought about this, as this is intended for SHTF use, it is a requirement that it can accept a bayonet. It won't accept a bayonet with a standard A2 flash hider, but with an extended FH (those commonly used to pin 14.5" barrels), it will work and accept a bayonet.

Quoted:
Blain,

What kind of groups are you getting with that barrel on a bench?

Thanks,

This rifle isn't even fully assembled as I am waiting on parts (pin on undrilled A2 FSB), extended flash hider, etc. The upper is still at my smiths and he only hurriedly assembled it for cold weather function testing. Reports from those who have installed this barrel is that it is VERY accurate (as are most FN barrels). Someone PM member "Jason248" and tell him to post his results here. This is his build with the barrel. Has told me it is very accurate and functions fine with the stock port.

Posted: 3/7/2014 10:58:49 AM EDT

[#13]

A1 stock, A2 upper, mid-length .625 barrel. I'll eventually have it cut to 14.5 and pin the fs.

Posted: 3/7/2014 11:25:16 AM EDT

[#14]

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Quoted:

A1 stock, A2 upper, mid-length .625 barrel. I'll eventually have it cut to 14.5 and pin the fs.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e84/Simply_Green/Picture227_zps20804049.jpg

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That's kinda where it's at right now, even though it's a 16" and not an 18"

Posted: 3/7/2014 11:53:56 AM EDT

[#15]

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Quoted:
A1 stock, A2 upper, mid-length .625 barrel. I'll eventually have it cut to 14.5 and pin the fs.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e84/Simply_Green/Picture227_zps20804049.jpg

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I'd prefer the 16" mid to 14.5" carbine or mid. Lose a lot and gain hardly anything.

Posted: 3/7/2014 12:09:50 PM EDT

[#16]

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Quoted:

I'd prefer the 16" mid to 14.5" carbine or mid. Lose a lot and gain hardly anything.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
A1 stock, A2 upper, mid-length .625 barrel. I'll eventually have it cut to 14.5 and pin the fs.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e84/Simply_Green/Picture227_zps20804049.jpg

I'd prefer the 16" mid to 14.5" carbine or mid. Lose a lot and gain hardly anything.

What do you lose?

Posted: 3/7/2014 12:55:07 PM EDT

[#17]

100fps of velocity for 0.5" in over all length.

Posted: 3/7/2014 1:47:54 PM EDT

[#18]

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Quoted:
100fps of velocity for 0.5" in over all length.

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Are you saying that a 14.5" barrel looses 400fps vs a 16.5" barrel?

Posted: 3/7/2014 3:27:48 PM EDT

[#19]

No, you loose 100 fps for the 1.5" or barrel lost. Since you have to pin the 14.5" to 16" anyway, you only gain a half an inch overall length difference from the 16.

Posted: 3/7/2014 3:53:09 PM EDT

[#20]

Pinning a muzzle device on a 14.5 inch barrel brings the over all length to 16-16.5 ". Using a muzzle device on a 16.5 " barrel brings the overall length to 18-18.5. So for a ~2 inch shorter more maneuverable and nimble barrel for a neglible 100fps loss I'll take it. I only own one 14.5" barreled rifle it's my throw down truck gun. Although it's a fairly new build it will kill just as many varmints as my 10.5 SBR. If I were worried about ballistics I would go with a 18" barrel. The purpose of my A2 with iron sights is for close in work.

Posted: 3/9/2014 6:39:50 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
Pinning a muzzle device on a 14.5 inch barrel brings the over all length to 16-16.5 ". Using a muzzle device on a 16.5 " barrel brings the overall length to 18-18.5. So for a ~2 inch shorter more maneuverable and nimble barrel for a neglible 100fps loss I'll take it. I only own one 14.5" barreled rifle it's my throw down truck gun. Although it's a fairly new build it will kill just as many varmints as my 10.5 SBR. If I were worried about ballistics I would go with a 18" barrel. The purpose of my A2 with iron sights is for close in work.

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No offense, but you're pretty FAR off base here. First of all, I don't know what barrels you're talking about, but 99% of the barrels I know that say they are 16" are 16". Never heard of or seen a 16.5" barrel....

Secondly, the entire A2 flash hider itself is under 2" long (1 3/4" total) and more than half of that is threaded which means it doesn't extend past the barrel. An A2 flash hider has 1" of it's entire 1 3/4" length threaded onto the barrel itself so it only extends past the total length of the barrel 3/4". The total length of a 16" barrel w/ A2 flash hider is 16.75"

A 14.5" barrel has to extend to a total length of 16" inches. An A2 flash hider isn't long enough to bring a 14.5" barrel to 16" total, which is why they have lengthened A2s and other longer flash hiders. Total length for a 14.5" barrel ends up being at least 16" long, if not longer (depending on flash hider).

Therefore, the difference in length between a 14.5" and 16" barreled gun is between 1/2" and 1" depending on flash hiders used. The difference is barely perceptible.

And for that you loose over 100 fps if you're using a common mil spec ammo like M855 or M193.

Not worth it.

Posted: 3/9/2014 7:55:30 AM EDT

[#22]

It is gorgeous. HBAR goodness. I think that will be my next rifle. No more carbines.

Posted: 3/9/2014 9:30:32 AM EDT

[#23]

It's not HBAR though, it's GI profile so .650 under the handguards! ;)

Posted: 3/10/2014 5:58:27 AM EDT

[#24]

Posted: 3/10/2014 6:29:34 AM EDT

[#25]

I like it.

Posted: 3/15/2014 4:21:17 PM EDT

[#26]

I'm about to build two of these, one for me and one for my twin brother

Posted: 3/18/2014 7:58:31 PM EDT

[#27]

Thank you my friend, I am honored. Can't wait to see them when they are completed.

Posted: 3/22/2014 9:15:44 PM EDT

[#28]

you want to know something funny? when i first joined this site, I read and looked at many picture threads and the very first iteration of my "dream" build was (somehow) an 18" a2 with fde furniture and an SS barrel. Why? I have no idea, but to this day, i still want it (although it's now low on my list of guns to get)

Posted: 3/24/2014 5:52:58 AM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
A1 stock, A2 upper, mid-length .625 barrel. I'll eventually have it cut to 14.5 and pin the fs.

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If the A2 had been issued like that, it may have been liked a lot more. Definitely more handy then the standard A2.

I personally think the 16" mid-length is a great looking Carbine/Rifle. I'm putting one together myself, also using a CavArms C1 (A1 Length) Stock.