Just another stupid looking barrel... www.wamail.net/~jcarr/Picture%20039.jpg No whtat its been pointed out, the fatness under the FSB does look a little odd.

Unfortunately, that's the only way to get a proper "F" height front sight base on a lightweight barrel.
There are no 0.625" bore diameter "F" height sight bases out there.

I know that the "Look" is far more important than the function, and that extra 1 ounce of weight is really a killer...

Quoted: Sorry but looks matter to me.

The solution is quite simple then.
Buy a Colt or Bushmaster lightweight barrel.
Shorten it to 14.5" or 15" and permenant attach whatever muzzle device you desire.
I do this all the time.
$50 to shorten and thread the muzzle.
$20 to permenant attach.
Shop Services
Turn-around time is typically 1 weekend, in by thursday, out by tuesday.

Comes out like Forest's 16" barrel:

Quoted: That looks great! A BM 16" cut down to 14.7" w/ perm. A2 would be the best compromise going, IMHO. I want one. So, can I buy a BM LW in 1:7 or not?

Incorrect answer retracted after Forest corrected me below.
Back to the Colt LW barrel it is...

BARREL & FRONT SIGHT ASSY AR6520, 1/7 LWT - 16in CHROME LINED

Shorten that and you are good to go.

Quoted: Ok, I would like everyone to concentrate on getting something going on these barrel instead of giving halfway options that we already know about. We don't want a cutdown 16" LW barrel as the step before the threads will not be present.  Bushmaster only makes 1/7 in M4 and 20" Govt profiles. Also, F marked FSBs are not that important right now.  I just want to see if we have any options.

I'll check with Shaw tomorrow to see what it would take to knock out 100 of these.

And on that step before the threads, are you talking about the one in the picture of the bushmaster barrel on the marble table?
I added that shoulder, the muzzle is threaded for an inch and the step-up spacer threads on.
With a 0.625" FSB bore, you can't have a shoulder any larger than 0.625" or you can't get the FSB on the barrel.
Lightweight barrels threaded 1/2"-28 have a very small shoulder, so small that an A2 comp with the big bevel on the back actually tightens past the shoulder and the bevel mashes against the shoulder.

I did read the first two pages, but since you are asking me, what did I miss that you wanted to point out?

Quoted: F marked .625" FSB exist.

'Exist' and 'Available' are different things.
I was speaking about availability as mere existence does us no good if you can't buy them.
If you are aware of where I can get about 100 of these, please let me know so I can get this project started.

These last 3 posts are exactly why projects like this never get off the ground.
You got a pretty good idea what you want, but everyone wants JUST one thing done different, therefore, no matter what you design and build, only 1/3 of the people that said "I'm in" earlier are actually going to go along with it in the end.
What they were really "in" for was the $99 barrel that was EXACTLY what THEY wanted.
Take the 14.5" vs 14.7" as a perfect example.
I have an idea where I can make a 14.7" barrel that can have an A2 permenant attached for legality.
Now, for those that actually want to affix a bayonet, I can make a simple little sleeve spacer that goes on the muzzle before the muzzle device.
This little sleeve would come back over the stepped up area and provide a proper 0.860" diameter for a bayonet.
Will I do this?
Probably not because everyone will shit on it because it's not exactly what THEY want.
Is it a good idea to solve everyone's wants with a simple 14.7" barrel? Yes.
There will always be that 1/3 who still won't buy it because it does not look perfect.
Those are the same guys that won't just get over it and buy a lightweight CMMG with a 0.750" FSB...
You guys amaze me.
I spent a couple hours today working on all the details for a proper drawing to submit to Shaw and now I feel like quitting before I really dig myself into a hole.
No call back from CMT about 0.625" FSB's, they are probably closed for the holidays like smart people.
The other unknown is 0.625" round handguard caps.
Gotta source those, $6 from bushmaster is wacked.
If it wasn't for the FSB's, this project would be a slam dunk.
Of course, that's why the other makers have not done it.
Heck, for all I know, these barrels are coming off the production line now from some other maker.
By the time I get mine made, y'all will have already bought them and leave me stuck holding  $14,000 in barrels that nobody wants because they were just the fad of the week and everyone has theirs now.

Sorry for the rant, it's just frustrating.
If you guys are really serious about wanting a barrel like this thread talks about, please let me know so I can regain some faith.
Here's what I propose:

14.7" chrome lined 5.56 chamber and chrome bore, M4 ramped barrel extension, carbine located "F" height gas block, 0.875" over the chamber, dropping to 0.650" then tapering to 0.625" just before the FSB shoulder, then dropping to 0.570" straight to the 0.620" step before a 1/2"-28 threaded muzzle.

M4 extension works on all receivers, no need for standard ramps.
The taller FSB is the way to go, those of you with A2 receivers can shorten the sight post easier than those with flattops can raise the post and there are probably a LOT more flattop builders than A2 builders.
14.7" with a shoulder spacer for the few of you that want bayonet compatibility is the best option in my opinion. I think the vast majority will say they want a phantom, but then go with an A2 because of price. The $30 phantom vs the $5 A2 is a consideration for many, especially you guys that want it for $99 and there are a bunch of you out there

Quoted: RED:  I am not being unreasonable or hard to work with.  All I am asking for is a remake of a standard barrel that has existed for 20 years. BLUE:  14.7" is not acceptable.  Still not getting the point of the thread.  We want a standard barrel with no extra BS.  No attached stuff. Bushmaster is getting their .625 FSB from somewhere.  So can we.

RED:
I know you are not being unreasonable.
Wanting is fine, getting is another thing.
For me to put $12K to $15K out building 100 barrels, I have to be sure that at least 3/4 of them are going to sell in a reasonable time.
This means I have to try to please as many people as I can with a compromised product.
I know, it sucks, but it's the reality of the marketplace.

BLUE:
While you may want a 14.5" barrel, do 80% of people want that as well?
If so, then that's what I will make to satisfy the market.
I just don't know yet.
Most barrels currently being sold as a complete assembly will come with an A2 hanging off the end of them.
The 14.5/14.7 causes a particular problem.
You gotta permenant attach SOMETHING to it, be it a $5 A2 or a $30 phantom before it's legal.
I would think that most guys will want to buy the barrel with that already done as they are probably not equipped to do it themselves.
If it turns out that most guys don't care to spend the extra money on a phantom or vortex, then it also makes sense to make the barrels 14.7" and use the cheaper A2's.
Otherwise, we have to use "extra BS attached stuff" like a 2nd crush washer or an SDI extended A2 or a Phantom or Vortex.
Since I will probably have to do the permenant attach work on a order-by-order basis, it's easy enough to put a special sleeved spacer on the barrels that are ordered to work with a Bayonet.
Question to the market: how many of you place bayonet compatibility higher on your list than being able to use a standard A2 comp instead of a more expensive SDI A2, Phantom or Vortex?

Bushmaster FSB is A2 height.
I think it's best to pursue "F" height 0.625" forgings.
That "if you are gonna do it, do it right" mentality rears up again...
Would you suggest that simply offering an A2 height FSB and extended sight posts on request is the better path?

Quoted: Could they just turn down the part in between the FSB and leave two humps where the FSB attaches?

I have done this as well.
It still looks out-of-proportion.
You end up with the FAT front sight base with what appears to be a lightweight barrel through the middle.
There's this fugly space where the bayo lug hangs down as well.

I want a 14.7 to hell with Scott.

I already have my 14.5 Colts so I don't need one. No you guys cannot have any of mine. If you have to ask how much you don't have enough money.

Scott for as much grief your getting just go buy a Colt. You can find them for 250 you just have to look harder.