AR-15 Barrels

katazone

katazone

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I have several custom built AR-15's. I do not consider myself a pro-builder. But I play.
This post in merely just a heads up to my fellow AR newbies or seasoned who want to avoid head aches.
It has come to my attention after buying a Rainier arms Select 5.56, 10.5" barrel for one of my latest builds that they are not so on spec. The price was a little more appealing and, well Rainier is known to carry a vast selection of decent AR product brands as well as their own.
I had to have the barrel re-ported twice with our famously awesome Casey at Tactical Ordnance. (100%)
Out of spec port hole and apparently not the first one he has seen recently at his shop!!! Out of spec chamber, etc...
The issue was not enough gas to properly cycle the gun. I had never run into any issues previously with any of the builds. So this was all new to me.
My most reliable (SHTF) AR has a White Oak Armament (https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/) barrel machined from a Lilja blanks.
Probably close to 10,000 rounds by now and I swear not one FTF or FTE ever except one time and the rifle was filthy. Shot amazing close and far and ate whatever I fed her.
My conclusion is if you are going to spend money on a barrel, for plinking and long range target shooting, with the current U.S exchange and you are going to spend $300-$500 CAD or more, you might as well spend it on a reliable manufacturer.
I think there is definitely something to be said about you get what you pay for in the end. I want to spend little or no time in the shop.
Figuring the issue was slightly frustrating.

Bartlein (http://www.bartleinbarrels.com/)
Kreiger (https://www.kriegerbarrels.com/)
are, from my understanding, among the best. Pricey....of course. I'd rather spend that extra $100-$150 up front then on the back end and get as close as I can to 99% fail proof.

For your interest, a recent link I found:

http://www.thenewrifleman.com/hard-steel-the-ar15-barrel-buyers-guide-turbo-edition/

Hope this helped a little.
Everyone has different experiences and therefore will have varied opinions.
Hopefully this thread will share interesting various experiences and fixes.

Cheers guys :)
 
I was likely the guy Casey referred to regarding the out of spec Rainier Arms barrel. Small world. I agree with you re. Spending a little more on the barrel.
 
Noveske

Accurate and reliable.

Pinned gas block and gas tube included.

They are by far my favorite barrels.

[Youtube]OmliCMvcaq0[/youtube]
 
I've heard of great things from Daniel Defense barrels.

How do those compare to the DD?

I'm building a piston AR and I'm looking at a 14.5" mid-length barrel.
 
Thanks for your feedbacks, actually I am also interested in rebarreling my 14.5 Noveske CHF to 18.5 either by Rainier Match/Ultra Match Wylde 1:8 Rifle or the Noveske 18" intermediate 1:7. What keeps me thinking about the Noveske 18" is really the weight, they dont have a lighter version or if they do no one is selling here in Canada.
 
katazone said:
Ha....small world indeed. All good now? :cool:
Click to expand...

All is good now. Casey polished the chamber smoothing the worst of the machining marks and I shopped for small base dies until I found one that would ensure reliable feed and extraction.
 
Vigilant said:
I've heard of great things from Daniel Defense barrels.

How do those compare to the DD?

I'm building a piston AR and I'm looking at a 14.5" mid-length barrel.
Click to expand...

DD is on the list of preferred AR barrels. If you read the article in the link. You can google best AR15 barrels, DD often appears. However if you want your 10.5" for example to perform on the long range as well, as it is myth that 10" barrel can't shoot a good group, I would spend a little more. As C23 said Noveskes are very good barrels as well. I am stuck on the White Oak as my first build is still my best performer in the clan. But If you can get a Kreiger, they are good too.
 
ffgats said:
Thanks for your feedbacks, actually I am also interested in rebarreling my 14.5 Noveske CHF to 18.5 either by Rainier Match/Ultra Match Wylde 1:8 Rifle or the Noveske 18" intermediate 1:7. What keeps me thinking about the Noveske 18" is really the weight, they dont have a lighter version or if they do no one is selling here in Canada.
Click to expand...

I would ask Questar, they import lots and lots of Noveske rifles.
However CTCSupplies has a deal with Rainier, and Rainier carries Noveske barrels. Check them out. An easy import.
I'm personally not too concerned about the little bit of extra weight. If you are going to compete then perhaps it is a concern. Lots of good really light rails to balance it out ! a thought.
 
I forgot to mention:
Alberta tactical machines their barrels out of Lilja blanks I believe, and their work is IMO outstanding as well and will stand behind their product.
I think you can ask them to customize any length you want. Keep in mind your re-registration after you get your custom barrel length, it might take longer if there is no precedent FRT for that length.
 
Pretty much no one besides FN and Colt use to spec gas ports anymore even DDs gas ports aren't to spec there is too much issue with under powered ammo like Wolf, Tula, Herters etc with to spec gas ports. That being said just because the gas port isn't to spec doesn't mean the barrels are bad DD and BCM have out of spec gas ports for 10.5" and run just as good as colt and FN.

But good brands in my experience of 20k+ rounds through AR pattern rifles annually is that KAC, DD, Colt, FN, CHF Noveskes and BCM are going to be the best for a reliable and 2 MOA or better barrel.
 
bkelly4790 said:
Pretty much no one besides FN and Colt use to spec gas ports anymore even DDs gas ports aren't to spec there is too much issue with under powered ammo like Wolf, Tula, Herters etc with to spec gas ports. That being said just because the gas port isn't to spec doesn't mean the barrels are bad DD and BCM have out of spec gas ports for 10.5" and run just as good as colt and FN.

But good brands in my experience of 20k+ rounds through AR pattern rifles annually is that KAC, DD, Colt, FN, CHF Noveskes and BCM are going to be the best for a reliable and 2 MOA or better barrel.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with ya.
For those just starting up, the goal is to get a barrel ported to the various ammo available to us up here, unless of course you reload. Seems that my first barrel (White Oak) was ported in such a way that it handled everything I gave her.
What was the port hole size? I cannot recall, and can frankly admit that I got lucky with my first build. This is something I knew nothing of at the time.
I think most of us up here are just looking for a rifle that will shoot just about anything without hick ups. :)

One option I was recently looking at are the adjustable gas blocks for use of a wider range of ammo as you described. Norinco high powered or slightly less MFS etc...we are pretty limited up here.
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/gas-system-parts/gas-blocks/ar-15-m16-adjustable-gas-blocks-prod7592.aspx
https://ctcsupplies.ca/products/syrac-ordnance-750-low-pro-adjustable-clamp-on-gas-block-ss?variant=1656335236
 
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katazone said:
Totally agree with ya.
For those just starting up, the goal is to get a barrel ported to the various ammo available to us up here, unless of course you reload. Seems that my first barrel (White Oak) was ported in such a way that it handled everything I gave her.
What was the port hole size? I cannot recall, and can frankly admit that I got lucky with my first build. This is something I knew nothing of at the time.
I think most of us up here are just looking for a rifle that will shoot just about anything without hick ups. :)

One option I was recently looking at are the adjustable gas blocks for use of a wider range of ammo as you described. Norico high powered or slightly less MFS etc...we are pretty limited up here.
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/gas-system-parts/gas-blocks/ar-15-m16-adjustable-gas-blocks-prod7592.aspx
https://ctcsupplies.ca/products/syrac-ordnance-750-low-pro-adjustable-clamp-on-gas-block-ss?variant=1656335236
Click to expand...

Adjustable gas blocks aren't going to do a whole lot with being able to cycle under power ammo unless you are talking about having a larger size gas port to run underpowered ammo more reliably then tune down the amount of gas from more powerful ammo. I've only ever seen Adjustables used to tame down recoil on comp rifles or help moderate blow back with suppressor never really seen them used as a fix for a gas port that won't run cheap ammo.
 
katazone said:
I would ask Questar, they import lots and lots of Noveske rifles.
However CTCSupplies has a deal with Rainier, and Rainier carries Noveske barrels. Check them out. An easy import.
I'm personally not too concerned about the little bit of extra weight. If you are going to compete then perhaps it is a concern. Lots of good really light rails to balance it out ! a thought.
Click to expand...

That was the plan to compete, right now my Razor scope gen 2 already weighs 25oz
 
DD, Spikes, FNH, Colt, Noveske, Centurion, BCM. I'm still tossed up on some of rainier stuff after reading mixed reports.
 
I've shot sub-moa groups from my DD 18" S2W barrel. Not too shabby for a $400. barrel.

23743326476_b9f73fc553_b.jpg
 
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