Yep, you read that right.  A friend has just added that to his wish list.  Seems to have been experimental, and not released to the civilian market.( At least he thinks so.) He tinkered with them in the army, and would love to have another one.  Any info would be appereciated.  TIA

Even if this existed, which I strongly doubt, why would anyone want a 1/14 twist barrel which won't stabilize standard bullets?

When did your buddy "tinker" with them in the Army and for what purpose?  Just curious.

-- Chuck

Part II.

Ammo Oracle is technically inaccurate in at least one minor respect.

There was never a M16 with a 1/14 twist rifling.  I doubt there were even early XM16s with this twist as the Army determined early on that this wasn't tight enough.  The XM16 spec called for 1/12 as does the M16/M16A1 spec.

There were certainly AR15 rifles produced with 1/14 rifling.  Real AR15 rifles with SAFE-SEMI-AUTO on the selector.  This design eventually became the XM16 after many changes including 1/12 rifling twist.  After still more changes the design became the M16.

-- Chuck

It wont help the terminal ballistics of the rounds fired out of it if thats what he is thinking.  Rate of twist has a microscopic effect on how fast the round yaws and speed determines if it breaks up or not.

I doubt one exists, if it does good luck finding one.  Very early (model 01 AR15's) had 1/14 with no chrome.  Then came 1/12 with no chrome, then came 1/12 with chrome chamber only, then 1/12 chrome chamber and bore.

Quoted: Even if this existed, which I strongly doubt, why would anyone want a 1/14 twist barrel which won't stabilize standard bullets? When did your buddy "tinker" with them in the Army and for what purpose?  Just curious. -- Chuck

They would want one because they can. Are you locked in the way of the Army or something? or the Govt checks dont let you own cool cals.?
GG (smiles)

OK, I have an update.  My friend realizes that the original 1/14's were not chrome lined.  He was just hoping to find a 1/14 in the original configuration, with chrome lining.  That was a misunderstanding on my part.  What he says about the 1/14 is this:  The 1/14 was the original Stoner designed twist, and they seemed to know that it was just on the edge as far as stability, but when they conducted Arctic tests, he thinks in the late 50's, they found the extreme cold and air density caused severe stability problems.  They then swithced to the 1/12.  He says some of these 1/14's actually went to Nam with the VERY early advisers. They found out the hard way that 1/14 wasn't the ticket.  

This fellow is one of my "go to guys" for AR & M16 info.  I hope someone can verify this. TIA

The 1/14 twist was not a "Stoner design" it was just the off the shelf barrel twist for varmint barrels shooting standard .222 Remington.  No one bothered doing any research on it at all, it was just there.

Saint Eugene did not design the AR15, he designed the AR10 which other engineers at ArmaLite scaled down to the AR15 design.  Was on "his watch" of course, but this was a scale down just like the current AR10 is a scale up.

The AR15's very early production had this barrel.  The 1/12 twist was specified when M193 Ball was standarized circa 1963, so only a very few AR15s would have found their way into US Advisor's hands in RVN.

-- Chuck

ARmaster

You are about 2 months too late. Over on subguns.com a C3 had some Colt/ArmaLite Mod 1 barrels just like you are looking for. They were $200 each. I thought about buying one but other things got in my way. Keep looking, you will find one, just be patient.

GG --

I understand "just 'cuz" as a reason, but still like functional items rather than non-functional.  An AR15 upper in .45-70 I can understand "just 'cuz" but not a 1/14 twist 5.56mm barrel unless it's going to sit in a display case.....

I can understand .222 barrels.

-- Chuck

I tinkered with the idea of finding one of these rare 1/14 barrels for a dedicated .22LR upper. 1/14 is closer to .22LR optimum 1/16 than 1/12 is. Whatever. I dropped the idea and settled on a Colt SP1 1/12 barrel. Works for me. It's a plinker/practice rifle upper, not match quality.