Hi all, I was wondering: In getting any type of 16" AR, are there any advantages whatsoever to getting an M4 style barrel as opposed to an HBAR carbine?  Or is the M4 style barrel just meant to be a way for manufacturers to make more money?  Also, in 20" rifles, similar question.  Is there any advantage in HBAR over Gov't profile barrels?  Thanks!

Old debate. Some say HBARs are more accurate than the profiled barrels. Others say no.

I would say the biggest advantage of both profiled barrels is the weight savings under the handguards. HBARs, expecially in 20", can get pretty heavy.

Quoted: Hi all, I was wondering: In getting any type of 16" AR, are there any advantages whatsoever to getting an M4 style barrel as opposed to an HBAR carbine?  Or is the M4 style barrel just meant to be a way for manufacturers to make more money?  Also, in 20" rifles, similar question.  Is there any advantage in HBAR over Gov't profile barrels?  Thanks!

HBARs are just that, heavy.  very heavy.  you would be better served with a lighter profile.  there will be no measurable reduction in accuracy.  it is much cheaper for a manufacturer to make an HBAR than an M4 barrel.  personally, i would never get an HBAR 16".  

see
ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=271434
and
ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=268594

ar-jedi

Thanks everybody, helps a lot!

Quoted: Quoted: Hi all, I was wondering: In getting any type of 16" AR, are there any advantages whatsoever to getting an M4 style barrel as opposed to an HBAR carbine?  Or is the M4 style barrel just meant to be a way for manufacturers to make more money?  Also, in 20" rifles, similar question.  Is there any advantage in HBAR over Gov't profile barrels?  Thanks! HBARs are just that, heavy.  very heavy.  you would be better served with a lighter profile.  there will be no measurable reduction in accuracy.  it is much cheaper for a manufacturer to make an HBAR than an M4 barrel.  personally, i would never get an HBAR 16".   see ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=271434 and ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=268594 ar-jedi losdos.dyndns.org:8080/ar15/DSCN0972_sm.jpg

+1
the extra weight savings is worth the govt

Get the one you like - the weight savings is not enough to make a big deal about.  Mine is a 16" HBAR for duty.  My next one will probably be a M4 profile so people at the range will mistake me for an uber -tactical SF member.

I have both hbar and gov profile 20"ers. I like both but if I could have just one it would be the gov profile. The thing with accuracy is noticable until things get hot. The gov's point of impact will shift quite a bit when as things heat up but the weight reduction is worth it to me. I don't feel I can put an aluminum railed HG on my hbar and keep the weapon in balance. I have a YHM 2 pc railed HG on my gov profile barrel and it's still light and handy as compared with the hbar and plastic HG's. If you plan on using a scope on a 20" I'd go the hbar.