20" AR-15 barrels

JasonGTA

JasonGTA

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I just ordered a Crypto receiver and the only part I am stuck on is finding a barrel. Does no one make government profile 20" barrels with FSBs anymore? Of the very few stores that have them listed none had them in stock and all said they have no plan/way on getting more in. Am I SOL? Do I have to order a barrel from Brownells? For anyone that recently ordered an AR barrel from them, how long did it take to come in? Id rather just spend the $500-$600 on buying a barrel from a Canadian company vs spending $250 usd + $250 in fees + wait time to get one from the US. Looking for leads, any help would be appreciated!
 
If it comes to it, making an AR barrel from a blank is no big deal. Installing the barrel extension, chambering and headspacing are little different than fitting a barrel to a receiver. The gas block seat must be accurately located and sized. Gas port has to be carefully located and drilled the proper size. Incidentally, barrel wall thickness affects gas port diameter. First AR barrel I did, I drilled the gas port undersized and went to the range with a set of number drills and a battery powered electric drill. Kept opening out the port until proper function was achieved. Thread the muzzle for a brake or flash hider. Contouring is faster and easier than on a conventional sporting rifle. Obtaining a barrel extension is a lot easier than finding a finished barrel.
First one I did was from a .224 1-8 blank. Next was from a Savage 110 .223 barrel with 1-9 twist. Have used others since. Made a 6x45 barrel using a take-off Sako varmint barrel. Just keep your eyes open for a take-off .22 centerfire barrel with appropriate twist and excellent bore.
 
tiriaq said:
If it comes to it, making an AR barrel from a blank is no big deal. Installing the barrel extension, chambering and headspacing are little different than fitting a barrel to a receiver. The gas block seat must be accurately located and sized. Gas port has to be carefully located and drilled the proper size. Incidentally, barrel wall thickness affects gas port diameter. First AR barrel I did, I drilled the gas port undersized and went to the range with a set of number drills and a battery powered electric drill. Kept opening out the port until proper function was achieved. Thread the muzzle for a brake or flash hider. Contouring is faster and easier than on a conventional sporting rifle. Obtaining a barrel extension is a lot easier than finding a finished barrel.
First one I did was from a .224 1-8 blank. Next was from a Savage 110 .223 barrel with 1-9 twist. Have used others since. Made a 6x45 barrel using a take-off Sako varmint barrel. Just keep your eyes open for a take-off .22 centerfire barrel with appropriate twist and excellent bore.
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That’s all well and good if you have a nice Lathe just kicking around. No much help otherwise though.

Best bet is a US source, or put out a WTB ad in the EE.
 
Blastattack said:
That’s all well and good if you have a nice Lathe just kicking around. No much help otherwise though.

Best bet is a US source, or put out a WTB ad in the EE.
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You mean like the Standard Modern 1340 kicking around in my shop?
A WTB ad in the EE is an excellent idea. A lot of folks customized their AR-15s, and the take-off barrels might be available. There are also AR-15s being broken for parts.
It might be possible to have a gunsmith make up a barrel, starting with a suitable take-off, at a cost competitive with bringing something in from the US. There is another factor with importation - an AR-15 is a prohibited firearm. Importation of parts for a prohibited firearm is problematic. It may not matter that the part isn't going to be used in an AR-15.
 
Agree with tiriaq, a WTB in EE is the best bet, I just got a 14.5 inch FSB barrel for a block ii build a few months back. As for brownells, my experience is good, just long. I ordered a 13.9 inch barrel last year and it took quite a while. I do recommend reaching out to an importer however, as barrel are ITAR, you have to pay a fee, I just cant remember how much it was but if you search up in the forum there should be a few post.

Good luck!
 
Have the WTB up, just seems odd that they are so hard to find these days. Thought with all the newer rifles taking AR parts there would be a little more stock up here, but even in the US they seem to be less popular now
 
The bottom fell out of the 20" AR15 barrel market when the assault weapon expired in 2004. Once Americans could put collapsible stocks on their guns, the carbine configurations became the defacto standard.

And my impression is Canadians were never excited about government profile. We mostly wanted heavy barrels; occasionally we wanted pencil, or some specific Diemaco/DND profile.
 
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