AR Sponsor
Posted: 4/15/2012 6:43:12 AM EDT
|
Over the past few days I've been trying to learn more about barrels.
I was hoping that I could find a "AR15 Barrels 101" thread covering all these barrel options and what they translate to. It really is confusing, different metals, different coatings, different twists, different lengths, different brands. BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN BASIL!? Basically, I'd like to know how one of our sponsors can sell a barrel for $99 and then I find another with no discernible difference that costs 3 times as much. What gives? |
|
Quoted:
Over the past few days I've been trying to learn more about barrels. I was hoping that I could find a "AR15 Barrels 101" thread covering all these barrel options and what they translate to. It really is confusing, different metals, different coatings, different twists, different lengths, different brands. BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN BASIL!? Basically, I'd like to know how one of our sponsors can sell a barrel for $99 and then I find another with no discernible difference that costs 3 times as much. What gives? what identical barrels are $99 and $299? |
| I do not know of a single web page that explains all of this, but you can Google the individual characteristics of a barrel and read all about it. There are a LOT of 'chrome lined vs stainless' topics out there and you'll find them if you Google them. You'll find a LOT of topics about twist rates and barrel length too. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Over the past few days I've been trying to learn more about barrels. I was hoping that I could find a "AR15 Barrels 101" thread covering all these barrel options and what they translate to. It really is confusing, different metals, different coatings, different twists, different lengths, different brands. BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN BASIL!? Basically, I'd like to know how one of our sponsors can sell a barrel for $99 and then I find another with no discernible difference that costs 3 times as much. What gives? what identical barrels are $99 and $299? Take this for examle: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_7_22/981923_5_56_barrel_Sale.html $99 for that barrel, I can take the 'specs' listed with this particular one and it will compare with another much more expensive barrel. |
|
Quoted:
Over the past few days I've been trying to learn more about barrels. I was hoping that I could find a "AR15 Barrels 101" thread covering all these barrel options and what they translate to. It really is confusing, different metals, different coatings, different twists, different lengths, different brands. BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN BASIL!? Basically, I'd like to know how one of our sponsors can sell a barrel for $99 and then I find another with no discernible difference that costs 3 times as much. What gives? While I am certainly no barrel expert by any means. I will try to help you by explaining how I chose my 1st barrel. The first thing I started with was the length. A shorter barrel is lighter an more compact with less bullet velocity and potentially less accuracy at long range. A longer barrel will have greater bullet velocity, potentially greater long range accuracy. I decided on 14.5 (actually the wilson combat is 14.7) with a permanently attached muzzle device to bring it past 16 inches. I planned on using only a red dot on this rifle and a maximum range distance of about 350 yards. If I wanted to shoot out to 500-600+ yards I probably would have went with a different length. Next was barrel twist most common seem to be 1/7 ⅛ 1/9. I wanted something that would shoot well with different ammo although I think I will primarily be using 5.56 62gr nato. I decided on either 1/7 or ⅛. I went with 1/7 because that was what the barrel came in. It will also allow me to shoot heaver ammo the other twists might not handle as well. This also leads to another choice in chambering .223 or 5.56. I am still learning about coatings my self. From what I understand a chrome lined barrel is the most durable. If I was building a full auto gun or planing on doing mag dump after mag dump that what I would have chosen. I went with stainless steel because I wanted the look of stainless. Also stainless barrels tend to be more accurate, but they dont deal with heat as well, and are more expensive. As for price I think is like anything thing else, some of what you are paying for is the name. Post the barrels you are looking at. Hope this helps Edit: another important choice is the gas tube length. I went with a mid length system. Form what I understand it will shoot a little smoother. I would have been fine with a carbine system, but I figured if it can only help the rifle shoot a little smoother why not get the mid? It all has to do with dwell time there are topics around on that too. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Over the past few days I've been trying to learn more about barrels. I was hoping that I could find a "AR15 Barrels 101" thread covering all these barrel options and what they translate to. It really is confusing, different metals, different coatings, different twists, different lengths, different brands. BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN BASIL!? Basically, I'd like to know how one of our sponsors can sell a barrel for $99 and then I find another with no discernible difference that costs 3 times as much. What gives? what identical barrels are $99 and $299? Take this for examle: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_7_22/981923_5_56_barrel_Sale.html $99 for that barrel, I can take the 'specs' listed with this particular one and it will compare with another much more expensive barrel. these are specs on a high quality barrel for a similar purpose, differences or not specified on $99 special are highlighted. M4 Feed Ramp Barrel Extension (USGI) USGI 1/7 Twist Rates USGI 5.56 NATO Chambers Mil-Spec 11595E - Barrel Steel (CMV) Chrome Lined Bore and Chamber Manganese Phosphate Barrel Finish USGI Government Profile Barrels HPT (High Pressure Test) Barrels MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspected) Barrels $229 (when in stock, lol) |
AR Sponsor