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Posted: 5/6/2013 7:30:43 AM EDT
| So should I try to buy a factory M4 Entry or buy a basic one and install a barrel later? Any difference in craftsmanship between factory and decent local gunsmith? |
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There is a lot of work that goes into cutting down an M4 barrel, it's not something you take to your local guy. The front sight has to be removed and soldered at 14". Even more importantly, the front barrel lug also has to be removed and soldered back in place to allow the barrel to securely mount with the shorter length. It's definitely more than just cutting with a hack saw or pipe cutter.
NFA firearms are not importable for civilian sale, so factory M4 entry barrels are actually manufactured in Italy as full-length 18" barrels, but with the eventual 14" length in mind. The front sight is mounted at the 14" position instead of at 18" and an additional barrel lug already in place for 14". This is all to allow for the M4 Entry to be imported as a Title I firearm. Once they are imported, the extra 4" is cut off and the completed gun is Form 2'ed to register the now transferable Short-Barrel Shotgun. While they cost more, the factory M4 Entry is a no-risk way to get what you want. With the gunsmith conversion of an 18" barrel to 14", you run the risk of warping the barrel, misaligning the barrel lug and/or the front sight, etc. With an M4 barrel costing about $800-$1000, it's not low-risk. There is an epic ARFCOM thread buried in the Archive somewhere, a cautionary tale of what can happen when you send your M4 barrel to be cut by someone who doesn't know what they are doing. Guy received his barrel back from the smith, but it was horribly warped and misaligned. |
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I agree with Homeinvader.
I would recommend buying an 18" M4, probably a 11707 model. Then source a 14" barrel during your wait time for the stamp. They pop up on gunbroker quite often for 600 - 900 dollars. You could then sell your 18" barrel to recoup your costs, or keep both platforms. |
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