Civilian Colt Canada Rifles

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Just finished watching Sun news and a rep from Colt Canada (Diemaco) stated that they "hope to be" releasing models with green furniture after the initial production of black rifles sell. I just bought an NEA 14.5" on sale for an amazing price from SFRC (what a nice rifle!) so I'll have to wait for a bit but got my eye on a C7.... 100% Canadian made and exactly the same as our military rifles (minus the select fire of course) makes me REALLY want one! Wish the price was a little lower. No doubt a sweet piece of kit thou!!!
 
Not being a AR owner, what is the difference in a gov[ernment?] barrel vs a heavy? Does one offer more repeatable accuracy, barring length, etc? I like the the 20" length, but if it is a code word for "pencil" barrel ~ nooope.
 
Not being a AR owner, what is the difference in a gov[ernment?] barrel vs a heavy? Does one offer more repeatable accuracy, barring length, etc? I like the the 20" length, but if it is a code word for "pencil" barrel ~ nooope.

Generally, a heavy barrel will be a thick profile for the entire length of the barrel. The exact dimensions vary between companies as there are different definitions for heavy barrels, but it is generally thickets before the gas block and has a slight decrease in profile from the gas block, on.

A government profile, for all intents and purposes, is essentially a lightweight profile until the gas block and a medium profile from the gas block forward.

Heavy Profile:
hvy.gif


M4 Profile (with the M203 cut). The government is the exact same minus the cut; its a consistent profile all the way from the gas block:
govt.gif
 
Here is what I know (not much :) but .... There are many good websites with the basics of ARs.

A Pencil or lightweight barrel are exactly that "slimmer"

Then there is the government barrel which is a little thicker.

Followed by the heavy barrel or HBAR.

Basically what it comes down to is "improved accuracy" and the ability of the barrel to withstand "over heating".

Then there is barrel and related gas system length .... Different topic.

Carbine, mid length, rifle, extended and there is also a dissipator.

gas-systems.jpg


Hope this helps.
 
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As far as i know, the m4 profile barrel with the 203 cuts is the 14.5" SOCOM barrel which is a bit beefier (withstands more heat during f/a and much more accurate) than a regular m4 government profile barrel.
 

To illustrate the difference, in that picture:

Top is a Government profile barrel (Pencil under the handguards, thick past the front sight post.) This is what you see in military M4s, M16s and C7s

Middle is a pencil barrel (Thin all the way down). This was the original AR15/M16/CAR/C8 profile.

Bottom is an HBAR (Thick all the way down) Typically seen in Competition rifles/DMRs/Short secret squirrel carbines that need the rigidity for suppressors or the heat resistance from seeing a lot of automatic fire.

Basically what it comes down to is "improved accuracy" and the ability of the barrel to withstand "over heating".

Between Pencil and HBARs, to a degree, yes. If you're only going to be sitting at a competition firing line, HBAR is the better choice for accuracy. If you're actually going to be carrying the thing, Pencil is the way to go, the weight difference is astounding. Easier to point, easier to hold on target, you can carry it all day long.

The gov't profile barrels came about after some US military testers misread some gauge results, and mistakenly concluded that barrels were bending from bayonet use. They "corrected" this by thickening the barrel from the bayonet lug on out. By the time they realized that the barrels were actually fine, new production barrels were already rolling off the assembly line, and they figured having a tougher barrel probably couldn't hurt.

In my opinion, the gov't profile makes little sense. But it's what the military uses, so those wanting something authentic should look no further. That thick front looks pretty nice as well, lining the barrel silhouette up flush with the A2 flash hiders, without the weight of the HBAR. There's nothing wrong with preferring the aesthetic!

the m4 profile barrel with the 203 cuts is the 14.5" SOCOM barrel which is a bit beefier (withstands more heat during f/a and much more accurate

Theres the M4 SOCOM profile, which is an HBAR and the M4 profile which is gov't. The 203 cuts actually seem to be known for minor accuracy issues - they apparently cause some bad vibrations which can throw shots. They put up with it because they need that '203 compatability.

But it's what the US military uses, and it looks wicked. Again, nothing wrong with liking the aesthetic.

I'm surprised the C7 isn't using a Hbar barrel. I've shot ar 15 sporters 20 inch Hbar. Very nice gun.

Try carrying it for days then get back to me. It's a trade off to be sure, but pencil and gov't profile barrels are plenty accurate, and of all the complaints about those early pencil barreled M16s that fought the Vietnam war, overheating on full auto wasn't really one of them. They're not belt feds! As long as you're not dumping mag after mag after mag, the pencil barreled ARs can take it.
 
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What happened to my post? All I said was that American colts are half of your price for Canadian models.....
If you delete a post for that you guys have issues....
 
I deleted those post because this is an ad for the guns. I saw what happened in the other thread and it moved here once that one was locked. I didn't just delete yours.
 
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