M4 with Heavy Barrel

Ganderite

Ganderite

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 99.7%
355   1   0
Location
Farm south of North Bay
I have some heavy 223 target rifle barrels in my barrel bin.

I have a M4gery I use for CQB. Accuracy is mediocre, but for CQB (25 yards, max) who cares?

The M4 is 14.5" I was toying with the idea of a heavy barrel, and maybe cutting it to 12". Would be a handy length and weight, and maybe more accurate. My rifle has a float tube.

The only heavy barreled ARs I have seen on the range are around 20". They look heavy and awkward for off hand shooting.

Anyone got any experience to share?
 
Shot a buddy's heavy barrel 11.5 AR. Way too heavy for practical use. He had it turned to government profile which made a huge difference. If you're shooting short range and not looking for tiny groups(which you shouldn't be, its a service rifle) there's no need for heavy barrel.

TDC
 
It is no big deal to machine an AR barrel from a blank. Fitting the barrel extension is very similar to fitting a barrel to a receiver. The position of the gas block must be located, and the gas port drilled. Theard the muzzle for a brake. The barrel contour can be whatever you like. Start heavy, turn it down if you wish.
 
When looking at the M4 profile, it is fairly heavy in places and has cut outs in the middle. It looks like my old TR barrel would be a similar diameter, without any cut outs. Stiffer is better, right?

I am surprised a 11.5 barreled gun could be very heavy. Was it a bull barrel? Mine would be around 0.800"
 
Yeah, I see no point to a heavy barrel on a carbine. I've got one on mine, only because I picked up a top end at a good price and that's what came on it. It makes the rifle unreasonably heavy. A gov't profile or lightweight barrel will do the same job and not be as fatiguing.
 
Technically, the CFO has interrpreted that you are not legally allowed to cut a 14.5" barrel.

If it saves just one child's life, it will be worth it.
 
Before giving up on your Norc barrel, load up some Hrn75gr BTHP over IMR8208 or Benchmark. Might just surprise you how well those barrels can shoot.

I am in the process of turning one of my f TR barrels into a 18" service rifle barrel for my Norc. With a 223 Rem chamber, it will shoot very well with short AR length ammo.

I dropped a McGowen match prefit into my Norc and we rewarded with almost 1/2 min accuracy at 100yds. I don't see why the Shilen wouldn't do the same or better.

Jerry
 
I have a spare flattop upper and some other bits, so it might be better to put the new barrel in a dedicated upper, so both can be shot and compared.

The Norc is 14.5". What are my legal options for the new barrel?
 
Ganderite said:
When looking at the M4 profile, it is fairly heavy in places and has cut outs in the middle. It looks like my old TR barrel would be a similar diameter, without any cut outs. Stiffer is better, right?

I am surprised a 11.5 barreled gun could be very heavy. Was it a bull barrel? Mine would be around 0.800"
Click to expand...

Saber Defence made some ridiculously heavy barrells, I ditched my Sabre 16.5" in a hurry even their 11.5" is really fat. I don't see the need especially because none of us are doing sustained full auto and own a dozen 100 rd drum mags.
I have gotten very good acuracy out of my SP1 with the origional pencil barrell. I would go Gov't profile at the heaviest.
 
Ganderite...

I was standing next to ya last Sat when the rain was coming down like mad. I am shooting an Armalite M15 with a 16" mid length hvy profile barrel. It's a decent compromise between the 500m to 100m matches 1-16 (classic Service Rifle that NSCC still runs).

This barrel does very well also for the current CoF (course of fire) that the ORA and CFSAC run(s).... IE from CQB distances to 500m. Life is great.

Keep us posted on the barrel project....

Cheers,
Barney
 
With the LMT mrp or the MWS (308 version), you can swap out barrels with a torque ratchet set. I have the 16" Mike rock CL barrel for mine and now a heavier early Mike Rock SS barrel. It's worth checking out this AR if you are interested in different barrels for the same rifle.
 
The fact is that CQB is about all I would really use the AR platform for. And my 14.5 M4forgery is plenty adequate for that.

But I have a junk drawer the size of a VW and find myself speculating about putting some of it together. At first i was just thinking of replacing the 14.5 Norc barrel to a 0.800" Krieger. I was thinking that if it was 12" it would not make the gun any heavier.

Now I am leaning towards cutting the Kreiger to 16" and putting it in the upper with an old float tube. I might switch the scope to the 16" and shoot the 12.5 with irons, as a rainy day rifle.

I used a CZ 58 (11.5") part of the day with irons and it really looked good. I think i like the idea of a back up upper in irons. As i recall there is just one pin to pull to switch uppers, right?

Hungry I recall you beside me and I recall looking at your rifle. It looked very compact and business like. If I had know it had a heavy barrel I would have asked to heft it. Could you bring it with you when we meet next week?
 
Ganderite said:
When looking at the M4 profile, it is fairly heavy in places and has cut outs in the middle. It looks like my old TR barrel would be a similar diameter, without any cut outs. Stiffer is better, right?

I am surprised a 11.5 barreled gun could be very heavy. Was it a bull barrel? Mine would be around 0.800"
Click to expand...

Late to reply, missed your post. It wasn't a bull barrel, it was heavy contour. Not sure what that would be but I'm guessing about a .850 for most of the barrel under the handguards then taper to the nominal .750 in front of the FSB.

TDC
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom