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Posted: 4/23/2005 7:41:01 AM EDT
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Ok, I'm actually about to take the plunge. I've gotten a lot of good feedback already (remember Cheap build?). Still not sure if I'll go with Model1, but I am leaning away from it. Gettin a CAR. The question is what barrel. It will be chrome lined, but what weight? I don't want a heavy barrel, but how light can I go without risking gross poi changes when the barrel heats up? Thanks More questions hinking.gif J&T shows an option of A2 or 4 position collapsable stock. The collapsable is the one I want...right? Essential Arms says about their lower "Fits M-16 forward assist type upper receivers (.250 pivot pin hole)". Will this work with the J&T kit? |
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I am very partial to the J&T kits. They are available with chrome lined barrels for $50 extra. The website has not kept up with the catalog, might be good to call them with what you want. My last few builds have been with J&T kits and I have been VERY happy with the quality of parts and assembly. Yes, CAR stock if you want a cabine, you can get M4 or 4 Position Collapsible (aka Fiberite). The "government profile" M4 type barrels are not bad, the "heavy barrel" will hold POI very well. The Essential Arms lower will fit the J&T, M&A, Model 1 uppers, but will not match color. Essential lowers are gray, everything else is black. DPMS, Eagle Arms (Armalite), and most others will match J&T uppers very well. My J&T kits are on DPMS lowers and all look like a perfect match. Essential will coat (not sure what he uses, I think it is a baked on finish) the lower black upon request at a modest extra charge. Call Bob Johnson at 337-945-0185 about this. |
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Yeah, I think I'm gonna go with J&T, seldom do you hear such raves about a company. I don't think I've heard from anyone who doesn't think they're great. All Essential says on the web sight about the coating is "black tough coat". I think I'll go with that, whatever it is. I'm still undecided on barrel, maybe J&T will advise me. I shot an A1 many years ago, all I can remember is that it was really light. That was a long time ago and I think that was very different from what I'm looking into. Like I said, I want good accuracy and consistancy, but don't want a 10 LB cinder block strapped on my back either. By the way, is a "pencil barrel" and a "light weight" barrel the same thing? |
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You should check, but to me "Light Weight Barrel" sounds like another way of saying "Gov't Profle", which is the next step up in heaviness from "Pencil Barrel". It's confusing, so I'd fire off an email to confirm which is what. Regarding heat shifting POI: the pencil barrel would be the most succeptible to that, but don't let that talk you out of an excellent barrel. The thing to keep in mind is how much high-volume shooting do you plan to do and will a lot of that be on hot days...lots of varibles that add up to how much heat stress do you think you're going to put on your barrel? The more heat your barrel needs to shed, the thicker it needs to be. So if you plan on doing moderate shooting with rapid fire but breaks to let the barrel cool, a pencil barrel is just right. If you think you're going to be more aggressive, with lots of rapid fire and extended range sessions, then maybe you should look at an M4 profile. Now what I've written is in no way a "by the book" guide to choosing barrel profiles, but it gives you an idea of how various factors can come into play when picking a barrel type. FWIW, I have 2 M4 barrels, and I just sold a 20" Gov't profile upper. My shooting style is the second listed.  I hope this helps. |
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"pencil barrel" and a "light weight" barrel the same thing? "pencil barrel" refers to barrels that have the A1 contour, .625" dia under the handguard and out front. This is the same as "light weight". This is the profile most likely to have wandering POI as the barrel heats up. "Govt profile" the barrel is light under the handguard, .625", but .750" out front. This is like the A2 barrel profile, and may refer to carbine length or 20" full length barrels. "M4 profile" is the same, but with the "M4 notch" on the front section to allow attachment of the grenade launcher. "Mock M4" has the notch, but under the handguard is heavy. "HBAR, or heavy barrel", the front portion is A2 diameter, .750", but under the handguard is heavy, .860" or so. Actually, because the additional weight is closer to the shooter, it is not that bad. You feel extra weight on the forward portion, past the front sight base, more due to leverage. Do not confuse "heavy barrels" with "bull barrels". Then there are the "bull" or target barrels. These are constant diameter, .935" or larger. They are equipped with special gas blocks because the standard front sight base will not fit, nor can it be drilled out enough to fit. These barrels are used in conjuction with free float tube to provide the ultimate in accurace, but they are quite heavy overall, and "front heavy". |
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