Barrel for first AR build

Cobec

Cobec

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Hi, as the title states I'm looking for a barrel for my first AR build. Ideally I'm looking for a 14.5 inch barrel chambered in 5.56 and plan to use the rifle to shoot CQB Service Rifle. I was looking at either the S & J hardware 14.5 inch barrel or the Green Mountain 14.5 inch barrel. I was wondering if any one had experience with either of these barrels and could provide me with more information.

I'm also open to recommendations for a barrel other then the two I mentioned. Ideal my budget is about $300 before tax and shipping. I'm also in no rush to get one, I'm just considering my options at this point.

Thanks in advance.
 
In the $300 range there are better barrels out there than the ones you list such as Spike's Tactical or Palmetto State Armory hammer forged barrels made of CMV machine gun steel, although no one in Canada has stock right now that I've seen. Not that there is anything wrong with the barrels you list either, but the extra money is worth it IMHO. The question I guess is do you want "decent," "good," or "top of the line," since you say you are not in a rush at all. For $300 you can get a really good barrel like the Spike's or the PSA but not a top of the line Noveske or something.

I am not sure that the S&J barrel is high pressure tested and/or magnetic particle inspected. It is not advertised as such so I assume not, but if it is I am sure someone will correct me. For that matter I don't think that the Green Mountain one is either (same story). Whether or not you care is up to you, but with barrels you generally get what you pay for. The barrels you list are both what I would consider budget barrels.
 
Thanks for the info Mechanik, very informative. I might just wait out and try to get a Spike Tactical barrel. If I can get a good barrel over a budget barrel for a little bit more cash I think its worth it. Do you know who retails Spike Tactical or PSA products in Canada so I can keep an eye out/inquire.

Conte, thanks for the feedback its good to know if I do end up going with the S&J barrel.

I haven't heard many good things about NEA in general so I'm tempted to stay away from them.
 
Cobec said:
Thanks for the info Mechanik, very informative. I might just wait out and try to get a Spike Tactical barrel. If I can get a good barrel over a budget barrel for a little bit more cash I think its worth it. Do you know who retails Spike Tactical or PSA products in Canada so I can keep an eye out/inquire.

Conte, thanks for the feedback its good to know if I do end up going with the S&J barrel.

I haven't heard many good things about NEA in general so I'm tempted to stay away from them.
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I went with a Spikes Lothar Walther barrel in 7.5, purchased from Fab Sports. Haven't gotten the rifle completely together yet so haven't gotten a chance to test it out, but just from first impressions this barrel is a beauty, and I think I'm gonna be very happy.
 
Cobec said:
Do you know who retails Spike Tactical or PSA products in Canada so I can keep an eye out/inquire.
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Canadian Tactical Cowboy Supplies (site sponsor) carries PSA... http://ctcsupplies.ca/ They get in some Spike's stuff now and then as well but mostly PSA.

Fabsports seems to be the place to get Spike's barrels. That's where I got mine.

Questar in theory carries Spike's, but they haven't gotten new stock in eons.

If you plan to enquire about a barrel, you probably will want to put some thought into what you want for length of the barrel and also what length gas system you want, before you ask.

FWIW I have heard from people whose opinion I trust that NEA's barrels are really good.
 
Well for length I'm planning on a most likely 14.5" possibly 16" with a mid-length gas system. I'll enquire with those two vendors. For the price I'll definitely be doing some research on NEA barrels especially since they are MPI and High Pressure tested which is more then can be said for the other two I mentioned originally and the price is comparable.
 
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