AR Barrel Selection, Criterion vs. Daniel Defence

Pigeonman

Pigeonman

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I'm just about ready to select and order a barrel for my AR build. I've pretty much decided on 18 inches and narrowed it down to a Daniel Defence 5.56 match chamber or Criterion .223 wylde chambered chrome lined.

The DD is $350 and already in Canada and the Criterion is just under $300 through Brownells. Looking for opinions/suggestions on both.

I'm not sure if the Criterion can even be imported? I don't see them listed on the Brownells importing sticky.
 
Pigeonman said:
I'm just about ready to select and order a barrel for my AR build. I've pretty much decided on 18 inches and narrowed it down to a Daniel Defence 5.56 match chamber or Criterion .223 wylde chambered chrome lined.

The DD is $350 and already in Canada and the Criterion is just under $300 through Brownells. Looking for opinions/suggestions on both.

I'm not sure if the Criterion can even be imported? I don't see them listed on the Brownells importing sticky.
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Of those two the Daniel Defense barrel would be my call, very well made. Your choice of length though has me thinking you are aiming more at a target or service style rifle and intend to shoot at long distance 500m etc. if so, consider a noveske stainless barrel, they are available and include the gas block, which tends to help equalize the pricing a bit. The gas block is also pinned for stability (although some will say this has the potential to harm accuracy). You could also look at an ATRS barrel and have one turned to your preferred contour from a match grade blank. This is the most expensive choice.

Good luck with your selection.
 
Pigeonman said:
Thanks guys. I went with the Daniel Defence. It came in the mail last week. Looks nice. Still have some parts and tools to get before I start assembly.
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Sorry, I had not realized this was an older thread. Enjoy your build, it is a great barrel! One shot just got in some BCM parts, gas blocks etc. as an FYI.

Also I highly recommend a Geissele reaction rod instead of an upper vice block clamp....money being no object of course
 
MikeDelta said:
Just curious but what barrel did you purchase and what type of build are you doing?
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I went with an 18 inch Daniel Defence from S&J Harware. It's a match chamber 5.56 in their S2W(strenght to weight) profile which I'm guessing is designed to be a compromise between a heavy barrel and government profile. It came with the gas block installed. It's my first build and I wanted it to be a target/spr/dmr kinda hodgepodge, but I want to see just how accurate I can make it while keeping the budget reasonable.

Blue Line Stripped Lower - $150
S&J Hardware LPK - $100
DPMS Low Pro Competition Upper Receiver - $89
Ice Arms Gen 2 Phosphate BCG -$150
Daniel Defence Standard Charging Handle - $30 (off the EE)
Magpul MOE Fixed Stock Kit $100
Daniel Defence 18 inch Barrel with Gas Block $385

Still need to order a gas tube, flash suppressor, free float tube (haven't decided on which one yet) and glass/mount, thinking of going with the Bushnell Elite Tactical fixed 10X, supposed to be decent and falls withing my price point and build style. Also need some assembly tools and I might splurge and send the receivers and front handguard for sand blasting so I can duracoat/cerakote them in a different colour.

Barrel was definitely the priciest single part but everything I've read says you'll never reach a decent level of accuracy without a decent barrel and the DD has good reviews. Probably be winter before I get all the parts and tools and then spring before it shoots for the first time. Between kids, work, budget, not a lot of hobby time.
 
Canadian eh! said:
Sorry, I had not realized this was an older thread. Enjoy your build, it is a great barrel! One shot just got in some BCM parts, gas blocks etc. as an FYI.

Also I highly recommend a Geissele reaction rod instead of an upper vice block clamp....money being no object of course
Click to expand...

Thanks. Gonna have to find an alternative for the upper vice block anyway. The upper I've ordered wont fit in the standard clam shell ones.
 
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