custom barrel thoughts

[Vincent C]

I am going to get a 3 gun barrel made for my AR, but in order to get everything I want I have to order a small batch of them. It will be mid weight (.75 diam the length of the barrel) stainless, have an ambi barrel extension so I can use it on my left handed upper, a rifle length gas, 1 in 8 twist, etc. I was thinking of going with anywhere from a 17" to a 20". I want to be able to use the barrel for both limited and tac optic for the matches that don't have limited (like the Larue match this year). I know a longer sight radius is going to be better for iron sights (front sight will be at the end of the barrel), but I also want to have a maneuverable rifle that I can handle in tight spots well. I want to be able to sell some of the other barrels I get so I don't want to have anything too oddball. I was wondering what thoughts are on a size I should get to accomplish what I am after. I am thinking 18" or 19" is a good overall compromise. I see a decent amount of 18" barrels being used so I figure I should be able to sell the few extras that I get and don't use. Any thoughts on length, barrel profile, etc other than to get rid of my left handed upper?

Edited February 11, 2010 by Vincent C

[J-Ho]

How long is your shotgun? Do you have any trouble with it in tight spots? I'd go for the 20"

[zero-down]

Why would you have to order a batch in order to get what you want? Any custom barrel maker should be able to provide you with what you are looking for. Compass Lake Eng. built me a custom stainless 18" to my exact specs w/ matching bolt and its top notch. I would highly recommend them.

[davidwiz]

Why would you have to order a batch in order to get what you want? Any custom barrel maker should be able to provide you with what you are looking for. Compass Lake Eng. built me a custom stainless 18" to my exact specs w/ matching bolt and its top notch. I would highly recommend them.

I concour. Any of the well known barrel makers will be able to make any type of barrel you want, without having to do a batch order. Off the top of my head:

http://www.lothar-walther.com

http://www.rockcreekbarrels.com

http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/barrels.htm

http://www.pac-nor.com

[Vincent C]

Why would you have to order a batch in order to get what you want? Any custom barrel maker should be able to provide you with what you are looking for. Compass Lake Eng. built me a custom stainless 18" to my exact specs w/ matching bolt and its top notch. I would highly recommend them.

I concour. Any of the well known barrel makers will be able to make any type of barrel you want, without having to do a batch order. Off the top of my head:

http://www.lothar-walther.com

http://www.rockcreekbarrels.com

http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/barrels.htm

http://www.pac-nor.com

The place that I have been talking to is White Oak. I started talking to them because I have seen some of their barrels offered with ambi extensions before. They won't make me a barrel unless I order 5 of them (but the price seems pretty decent per barrel). I will try some of the barrel manufactures you guys listed and see what I can do with them. Thanks

[ken hebert]

I see plenty of shooters running 20" barrels on their Tac AR's, doesn't seem to hamper them in any way. On in particular comes to mind, Ty Gentry, runs a 20" gun and he is a contender to be reconed with, (I believe he took 3rd at Ft Benning this year?)

If you want a multi purpose rifle, I'd say 20".

[Tyler Payne]

What is an ambi barrel extension?

[TRUBL]

My question too, Tyler!!

How about a custom JP 18" barrel that is 650 under the tube and 750 out to the end in 1x8 twist??

Light wt, very swingable, long enough to put a sight block out the end and make longer sight radius.

Pretty much everything you are asking for and then you don't have to sit on any barrels waitin for them to sell.

Tim

[ERIC]

My question too, Tyler!!

How about a custom JP 18" barrel that is 650 under the tube and 750 out to the end in 1x8 twist??

Light wt, very swingable, long enough to put a sight block out the end and make longer sight radius.

Pretty much everything you are asking for and then you don't have to sit on any barrels waitin for them to sell.

Tim

That should be a standard barrel from JP. I always wondered why they went with the bull barrel profile up front and the 0.936 gas block. Around 7 years ago, they didn't offer a 18" 1:8 twist barrel. They had to make me a custom one by cutting down a 20" and I recently found out the muzzle thread isn't 1/2x28 tpi. Strange. I'd still go with a JP barrel even with the bull barrel profile but I'd go with a 20". I shoot with a few guys who use that and it doesn't hinder them and the extra velocity doesn't hurt.

[kellyn]

Since Daniel Horner has beaten everybody here with a 20 in barrel, I suspect that they are handy enough. That beind said, I do like my 18 in upper for Tac Scope but do I shoot it any better than a 20? Nope.

If the rifle is going to be a iron sight rifle, I would go with a 20 inch barrel and have the front sight base mounted just behind the comp. Sight radius is your friend.

[Vincent C]

What is an ambi barrel extension?

Ambi barrel extension is required to use a barrel on a left handed upper receiver (Stag). They work with both right and left hand guns, they just have chamfering on both sides of the locking lugs instead of on one side.

Thanks for the input everyone.

[fastshooter03]

What is an ambi barrel extension?

Ambi barrel extension is required to use a barrel on a left handed upper receiver (Stag). They work with both right and left hand guns, they just have chamfering on both sides of the locking lugs instead of on one side.

Thanks for the input everyone.

I thought the chamfering was on the bolt?

I'm finishing up 3 223 AR barrels using Brougten blanks hopefully this week. They will be 18,20 and 24". I like 17-20" barrels for 3-gun.

NO reason you can't get a single barrel made unless it has to do with price?

You could just buy a standard barrel and send it off to a smith for any recontouring work you need.

I've done that with cheapy DPMS barrels and they shot pretty darn good!

The latest barrel I tested that didn't require any work was a DPMS Mark 12 which is a blackened stainless 18" H-Bar threaded with Rifle length gas. They are under $200. I don't like 5.56 chambers but it shot good enough for 3-gun.

Jp and Firebird come to mind if you want to go with other supporters of the sporters.

Nick

[want2race]

.650 under handguards and .750 from gas block out and 20". Ordered a JP 20" and had it turned down from gas block forward. Pretty easy and it was my cheapest option for a quality barrel. I wanted .750 at the muzzle, not .720. Shoots sub MOA with irons and Walmart ammo. Good enough for me. I think the weight is more of a hindrance than length.