What type of barrel does my PSA AR-15 have?

[Flumser]

I ordered this PSA AR-15 online, thinking that I would be getting basically an all mil-spec AR-15 with an FN cold hammer forged barrel. Based on numerous other forum postings it appears that the consensus is PSA AR's come with these highly sought after FN CHF barrels.
So I finally brought it home today, and immediately noticed it was heavier than I was expecting, and the barrel looked kinda weird (like its got an extra chuck wrapped around the end of it, look at the pics).
After I took off the handguards you can clearly see this is not a mil-spec M4 profile barrel. It's super fat.
So my question is, what kind of barrel is this? Is it an FN CHF barrel but just of a heavier variety? Why does the front end look so weird? The other Hbar's I've seen are fat under the handguards like this one but look normal towards the muzzle end. The only marking on it is "5.56 1/7" (you can see this in the last picture).

Thanks for any help.

top view with the only markings on the entire barrel

 

[*MALICE*]

In the last few years, M4A1 carbines have been refit or received straight from factory with barrels with a thicker profile under the handguard. This is for a variety of reasons such as heat dissipation during full-auto, and accuracy as a byproduct of barrel weight. These heavier barrel weapons are also fitted with a heavier buffer known as the H2. Out of three sliding weights inside the buffer, the H2 possesses two tungsten weights and one steel weight, versus the standard H buffer, which uses one tungsten weight and two steel weights. These weapons, known by Colt as the Model 921HB (for Heavy Barrel), have also been designated M4A1, and as far as the government is concerned the M4A1 represents both the 921 and 921HB.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_carbine#Enhanced_M4




Muzzle end of the barrel looks normal to me. It's thicker under the handguard, likely, in re to the above info. If you don't like it, I'll be happy to dispose of it for you

Or are you referring to the smaller diameter section? If so, that's for mounting an M203

 

[Flumser]

Thanks for the info. I'm happy with it, not looking to go through the hassle of changing out the barrel (especially with that A2 post) to lose a few ounces. Plus from what I've read these FN CHF barrels are supposed to be top notch.

Yes, I was referring to the section immediately after the smaller diameter section of the barrel, maybe I'll have to get myself one of them M203's now

 

[Hitzy]

The front looks weird because it's 16" instead of the regular 14.5" on an M4.....but it's likely a fine shooting barrel.

 

[Brordo]

Yours is not a CHF barrel (it would say CHF on it). Where did you order it from? I'm not even sure that is an FN made barrel (usually has either a PSA or FN roll mark)...that looks more like their standard line barrel (it still will shoot fine).

A CHF would look something like this:

http://4.bp.########.com/-ZaBiLr4PSrc/Uxlr3wLZe8I/AAAAAAAAAeA/Se3ac2JxJoQ/s1600/DSC08221.JPG

 

[Flumser]

Yours is not a CHF barrel (it would say CHF on it). Where did you order it from? I'm not even sure that is an FN made barrel (usually has either a PSA or FN roll mark)...that looks more like their standard line barrel (it still will shoot fine).

A CHF would look something like this:

http://4.bp.########.com/-ZaBiLr4PSrc/Uxlr3wLZe8I/AAAAAAAAAeA/Se3ac2JxJoQ/s1600/DSC08221.JPG

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Does it seem weird to you that the only markings on it are "5.56 1/7"?
I ordered it from Irunguns who stock a variety of stuff including PSA.

Actually I just found another marking on it, a tiny little number "7" way back right next to the delta ring on the thickest part of the barrel on the left (non-forward assist) side. Any idea what the 7 means?

 

[drbnsn]

They use non fn barrels as well. My PSA from irunguns didn't have a fn barrel. PSA supposedly has 3 grades of barrel: 4140 standard, 4150 'premium" lead-lapped by Wilson and CHF premium usually by FN. I suspect the budget ar package has their standard barrel...suspected it more so once I had it in my hands

 

[Flumser]

They use non fn barrels as well. My PSA from irunguns didn't have a fn barrel. PSA supposedly has 3 grades of barrel: 4140 standard, 4150 'premium" lead-lapped by Wilson and CHF premium usually by FN. I suspect the budget ar package has their standard barrel...suspected it more so once I had it in my hands

Yep, looks like this is what I got basically (the upper anyways)
Can't complain though considering I paid $899 and that it came with a free Vortex Strikefire.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...dom-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html

 

[Brordo]

You can always upgrade to a nice 12" CHF one (I just happen to have one for sale in the EE right now)...just sayin'...

 

[Flumser]

You can always upgrade to a nice 12" CHF one (I just happen to have one for sale in the EE right now)...just sayin'...

Even if I cared enough about CHF to get a new barrel I don't think I'd be super excited about the process of doing so with my A2 post; from what I've read it's not fun.

 

[Hitzy]

Even if I cared enough about CHF to get a new barrel I don't think I'd be super excited about the process of doing so with my A2 post; from what I've read it's not fun.

You can't re-use a pin on fsb on a new barrel without some serious jigs and tools. Most people would buy a clamp on gas block of some sort for the new barrel. You don't have to remove your fsb to remove your barrel...