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Posted: 1/28/2007 4:40:01 AM EDT
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I am placing my ordser this week! I have GOT to get through my indecisiveness, so I am narrowing every issue down one at a time. I have decided on a 14.x with fixed flash hider. Now I want to select a barrel profile. I am leaning toward a middy if that makes any difference. It seems my choices are as follows (both medium and CAR length included below). Mid-Length * Lightweight Midlength (lightweight profile mid-length barrel with 11 degree recessed target crown, triangle handguard cap) * Midlength (gov't profile mid-length barrel with 11 degree recessed target crown, triangle handguard cap) CAR * M4 (standard contour M4 barrel, notched M4 handguard cap) * M4 A1 SOCCOM (medium contour M4 barrel w/flats for grenade launcher, notched M4 handguard cap Questions 1. CAR or Mid-Length (If I go ML, do I loose certain M4 features/advantages (feed rampts etc) 2. Is LW = Standard contour and Gov't PF = Medium Contour 3. Is the LW contour too dainty/delicate? |
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Going with a 14.x" bbl and a triangle end cap looks like a No-Go option from here, because your barrel is too short. The closest "animal" to this spec would be a retro (Vietnam) style 12" full handguard dissipator, which I believe would require at least a 15.5" bbl where that last half-inch sticks out from the front sight and is threaded for the flash hider. And then I think the bayonet lug needs cutting so you could get the flash hider on all the way. Of course all of the above is a moot point, if you know of someone making shorter 8-9" triangular handguards? Chris |
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The M4A1 SOCOM barrel is listed as a meduim contour but it is a heavy barrel under the handguards. It is identical to the M4 barrel from the front sight on forward. I chose the carbine length for the simple fact that there is more options as far as handguards (plus I already had an extra set for it). You wouldn't lose the M4 feed ramps with a middy because middys still have the M4 feed ramps. Feed ramps don't have anything to do with the gas system. I wouldn't say the LW barrel is delicate. It's usually a lot thicker than most bolt gun barrels in the same caliber. Let's just say I wouldn't want to stick a bayonet on the end of my rifle and use it to pry open crates with it (the real reason they went with the heavier A2 barrel). |
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CMMG seems to be offering it on their uppers page. CMMG 14.5 Lightweight Mid-Length Upper w/Permanent Phantom and .625" FSB New 14.5" lightweight mid-length upper w/permanent phantom hider. Permanent phantom hider brings OAL barrel length to legal 16” This upper is complete with bolt, carrier and charging handle. CMMG semi auto bolt carriers have the shrouded firing pin to protect against hammer wear. Upper receivers are "T" marked and include extended feed ramp cuts. Features include lightweight profile mid-length barrel with 11 degree recessed target crown, triangle handguard cap, chrome lined 5.56mm chamber and bore, 1/7 twist, parkerizing under .625" diamter “F” marked forged front sight base and magnetic particle testing on every barrel. When ordering with optional gas block, barrels will not be drilled for taper pins. Barrel is marked CMMG MPC 5.56 NATO 1/7. |
I'm going through the same issues right now, and am leaning towards.........hell I can't make up my mind either. Depends what your future plans are: if you plan on adding a quad rail I see no reason to go with the lightweight for the 4oz weight savings. If you plan on just leaving the midlength handguards on the lightweight might be your best bet. Here are a couple of pics off of a thread that I started they don't look much different to me: JohnRippert's 14.5" w/ perm Phantom gov profile middy.  Hawkeye's CMMG's 14.5" lightweight midlength. 
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Definatly go midlength over car, you'll love it. The thicker your barrel the more accuracy you can squueze out, as the thicker steel cuts down on vibration. So the m4 profile barrels "thick under handguards" is the way to go.. I think cmmg offers an m4 type profile in midlength gas, if they don't I'm sure they can make it. Those lightweight barrels look to thin for me to ever trust using, If the day ever came to have to use it against someone they wouldn't take you seriously and could probably bend the barrel back at you . M4 feedramps are argued about on arfcom all the time but honestly, they are the newest thing out and they do have their advantages over standard cuts so you might as well opt for them. Otherwise one day you might want to load some 80 or .75 gr bullets and run into a problem "though rare" and wish you had extended ramps.
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