Custom AR Barrels
- Thread starter djmay71
- Start date
Any experienced gunsmith could make a barrel for you from a blank. Making an AR barrel is essentially the same as making any other barrel. Fitting the barrel extension to a barrel is about the same as fitting a barrel to a bolt action receiver. Contouring is easier - basically cylindrical sections without graceful compound tapers.
Gas block has to be installed properly in the correct position, and the gas port drilled. Might take a bit of experimenting with gas port diameter to get proper functionning.
Probably best to hire a 'smith who has done AR barrels before; then it is a matter of making the AR barrel, rather than learning how to make an AR barrel.
This is for your DMR project?
Figure $400 or so for the premium blank, likely the same for turning the blank into a barrel. Plus the cost of gas block, brake, forend with barrel nut, etc.
Wylde chamber makes sense, but why 1:7? Going to be shooting NATO tracer or 90gr Bergers?
Gas block has to be installed properly in the correct position, and the gas port drilled. Might take a bit of experimenting with gas port diameter to get proper functionning.
Probably best to hire a 'smith who has done AR barrels before; then it is a matter of making the AR barrel, rather than learning how to make an AR barrel.
This is for your DMR project?
Figure $400 or so for the premium blank, likely the same for turning the blank into a barrel. Plus the cost of gas block, brake, forend with barrel nut, etc.
Wylde chamber makes sense, but why 1:7? Going to be shooting NATO tracer or 90gr Bergers?
Informative as always tiriaq.
Yup- for the DMR project. After I get back on track after my M&P40 derailment, I figure, its time to get some of the major expenses out of the way- and I figure the barrel is going to be the next most expensive part.
As for rifling- I just want something as tight as possible, for accuracy sakes.
As for ammo- I'm defintely am planning on running some hot rounds through it- 62gr & up.
1:7 is not inherently more accurate than 1:8 - or - 1:9. 1:8 is arguably the best twist for anything to 80gr - and 80gr won't run semi auto. That's why the Sierra 77gr MK was developed.
For precision shooting, semi auto, at longer ranges, you need to look at bullets in the 68/9 - 77gr range. Quality 62gr ball can be very good, but likely won't equal match grade ammunition. No point in putting together a premium AR, then shooting bulk priced ammunition out of it.
For precision shooting, semi auto, at longer ranges, you need to look at bullets in the 68/9 - 77gr range. Quality 62gr ball can be very good, but likely won't equal match grade ammunition. No point in putting together a premium AR, then shooting bulk priced ammunition out of it.
Arms East often has barrels with the Wylde Chamber. Also, here's a gem at Questar that'd be perfect for a precision rig:
https://shopquestar.com/shopping65/shopexd.asp?id=1426&bc=no
https://shopquestar.com/shopping65/shopexd.asp?id=1426&bc=no
There are much heavier bullets 87gr and 100gr loads - but they are powdered tungsten loadings - and while "green" where more for anti-personnel usage. Frightfully expensive to a point they are pretty much .gov only
The 80gr can be single loaded - for High Power matches down here that is quite common.
BUT I agree with tiriaq that 1:8 is the better choice for bullets unless your planning to run tracer ammo.
However 1:7 barrels are often found more easily than 1:8
Some of the new VLD bullets need a 1:7 of 1:6.5 as well - but once again, this is for very long range shooting - better suited (IMHO) to bolt gun folks.
The 80gr can be single loaded - for High Power matches down here that is quite common.
BUT I agree with tiriaq that 1:8 is the better choice for bullets unless your planning to run tracer ammo.
However 1:7 barrels are often found more easily than 1:8
Some of the new VLD bullets need a 1:7 of 1:6.5 as well - but once again, this is for very long range shooting - better suited (IMHO) to bolt gun folks.
Only problem with that barrel is that it is a truck axle.
Price is good though, and an hour on the lathe and a few pounds weight loss, it would be a useful barrel.
DJ - something else to keep in mind if you ever do get a custom barrel made - there are A3 and A4 uppers. They use different barrel extensions. Make sure the extension matches the upper.
DaveMachine
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Keep an eye on fabsports. The have White Oak Armament barrels from time to time.
Right now they only have a 14.5" match barrel so you're kinda SOL with that route.
Right now they only have a 14.5" match barrel so you're kinda SOL with that route.
Already decided on an A4 setup- Daniel Defense A4 or RRA A4.
I may also be able to budge on the twist, I might drop down to 1:9, depending on availability.
That and the A2s and A3s are seemingly more expensive and harder to find
Uppers:
Initial had two range iron sight, no foreward assist. Eg. Colt SP1.
1 - two range rear sight, foreward assist introduced.
2 - adjustable rear sight, foreward assist.
3 - flat top, foreward assist
All of the above had the barrel extension with feed grooves.
4 - flat top, foreward assist, barrel extension and receiver with feed grooves. M4 carbine is set up this way.
Your upper and barrel extension should match.
Carbine uppers seem to be the most common, the others can be found. Either pattern of barrel extension can be easily obtained.
Of my five upper assemblies, one is a surplus M16A1 upper, all the others are A3 style as far as feed grooves in the receiver are concerned, including the DPMS slick side. The M16A1 upper has a commercial Colt SP1 barrel assembly, the others are fitted with barrels I machined and fitted.
Initial had two range iron sight, no foreward assist. Eg. Colt SP1.
1 - two range rear sight, foreward assist introduced.
2 - adjustable rear sight, foreward assist.
3 - flat top, foreward assist
All of the above had the barrel extension with feed grooves.
4 - flat top, foreward assist, barrel extension and receiver with feed grooves. M4 carbine is set up this way.
Your upper and barrel extension should match.
Carbine uppers seem to be the most common, the others can be found. Either pattern of barrel extension can be easily obtained.
Of my five upper assemblies, one is a surplus M16A1 upper, all the others are A3 style as far as feed grooves in the receiver are concerned, including the DPMS slick side. The M16A1 upper has a commercial Colt SP1 barrel assembly, the others are fitted with barrels I machined and fitted.
Here is one of my lowers, fitted with different uppers.
One is a machined from blank 19" 1:8 .223 barrel, tubular handguard, Shrewd brake, 1 1/4 - 8 Elite 6500 in PEPR mount. I have used this barrel in competition with some success.
The other is a NEA 18" 1:7 5.56 barrel, also with a tubular handguard, DPMS Levang brake, a 1-4 scope for preliminary testing. Will be installing a 6-18 for some serious accuracy testing. The longer handguard covers the low profile gas bock in mid-length position.
I think either would qualify as a "DMR", if a DMR is a rifle that has been tweaked a bit for accurate shooting.
With these tubular handguards, a swivel stud could be installed so a bipod could be fitted, but insofar as bipods are not allowed for service rifle shooting, I've not bothered. Shoot off the magazine instead. And no, this does not cause stoppages.
One is a machined from blank 19" 1:8 .223 barrel, tubular handguard, Shrewd brake, 1 1/4 - 8 Elite 6500 in PEPR mount. I have used this barrel in competition with some success.
The other is a NEA 18" 1:7 5.56 barrel, also with a tubular handguard, DPMS Levang brake, a 1-4 scope for preliminary testing. Will be installing a 6-18 for some serious accuracy testing. The longer handguard covers the low profile gas bock in mid-length position.
I think either would qualify as a "DMR", if a DMR is a rifle that has been tweaked a bit for accurate shooting.
With these tubular handguards, a swivel stud could be installed so a bipod could be fitted, but insofar as bipods are not allowed for service rifle shooting, I've not bothered. Shoot off the magazine instead. And no, this does not cause stoppages.
Here is one of my lowers, fitted with different uppers.
One is a machined from blank 19" 1:8 .223 barrel, tubular handguard, Shrewd brake, 1 1/4 - 8 Elite 6500 in PEPR mount. I have used this barrel in competition with some success.
The other is a NEA 18" 1:7 5.56 barrel, also with a tubular handguard, DPMS Levang brake, a 1-4 scope for preliminary testing. Will be installing a 6-18 for some serious accuracy testing. The longer handguard covers the low profile gas bock in mid-length position.
I think either would qualify as a "DMR", if a DMR is a rifle that has been tweaked a bit for accurate shooting.
With these tubular handguards, a swivel stud could be installed so a bipod could be fitted, but insofar as bipods are not allowed for service rifle shooting, I've not bothered. Shoot off the magazine instead. And no, this does not cause stoppages.
Very nice tiriaq. My DMR will end up a lot like your NEA 18", as I'm planning on ordering an 18" upper, and have settled on a A2 style stock.
