Light, narrow barrel

drmitchgibson

The white Morgan Freeman
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
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OKC
I haven't spent countless hours searching, and I'm not an accessorizing addict, so I'm throwing this out there. In the future, probably next spring, I'll want to replace the barrel on my M4 with a light-weight, low profile barrel with a rifle-length gas block and a front sight as far out toward the end of the barrel as possible. Anyone know of a source for such things?
 
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White oak or Satern can do whatever you want.

I've seen a lot of reccomendations for these two companies and I can't read them anymore without sharing my experiences.

When I asked White Oak for a 20" .750 rifle gas barrel they told me with no uncertainty that they would not make me one. The return e-mail just said "no," maybe getting them to make you something hinges on contacting the right person?

I bought a 20" Satern barrel and had a few problems when I was working up loads. After multiple e-mails from Deb (I think it was) promising to have Steve make some load suggestions I gave up on them. It's a nice barrel, and easily prints 10 shot MOA groups now that I have 600 rounds of load development done.

I hope your experiences are better than mine with these companies, I don't think I'll buy from either.
 
Here's a copy and paste of my exchange with White Oak.

No

Thank You
John Holliger
White Oak Armament
309-376-2288


-----Original Message-----
From: Dolan, G.T. J. (HSC) [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2011 6:07 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Custom barrel ?

Sir,

I was wondering if your company would be willing and able to make me an Ar15
barrel 20" in length, 1 in 8 twist, threaded to accept a compensator, and
0.750 in diameter for the entire length?

I did not see anything exactly like this in your standard catalog.

Thank you for your response.

GT Dolan
 
Weird, I wanted an 18" SPR, fluted, with a 1/8 twist and sent them an email. WOA told me no problem, but it would be an extra $20. Check out Black Hole Armory. They are really good people and will do just about whatever you want. Their barrels have polygonal rifling, which is supposed to be great for accuracy. They also offer several different types of fluting for a very reasonable price. I also know of a 10% discount from BHA if you decide to get a barrel from them.
 
Maybe John was just having a pissy day, I dunno.

Response just killed my enthusiasm for the company. I can always find another outfit willing to sell me a good barrel.
 
Wow GT.... I wouldn't feel good about spending money with a company that did that. I guess they don't need the business?
 
Guys, I really didn't want to take away from Mitch's question (which is a good one) or start a bash thread, I just couldn't stay quiet anymore. I may spend my money with Satern again, I got a nice part, I understand Steve is just super busy with manufacturing and shooting.

Mitch, sorry to derail your thread man.

If cash is a concern you could always go the el-cheapo route and get a DPMS BL-10 barrel. Last I checked Brownells had them for like $160. You might have to get it threaded (can't remember). I'd be shocked if you didn't get 1.5 MOA out of one of those which is inside the A-zone of a metric target at most any range you'll see in a 3-gun match.
 
If you are going to mount a sight out at the comp for some iron sight 3 gun fun then you gotta have a .750 diameter out there at the tip. I had an 18" lother walther that was medium contour or .750" diameter all the way out to the comp. Very nice barrel. My 20" Satern is .750 as well. I haven't shot more than 20 rounds through it yet to see if its a shooter or not.
 
Well, it seems like with the number of accessories for ARs that there'd be a stock item out there that I want. I thought someone put out a barrel that has the gas port (and a front sight) pretty close to the muzzle, much like an upside-down Garand would be.

I appreciate the tips, even though I plan on shooting my carbine all year, just to get used to working stages and knowing my new gun.
 
The gas port isn't going to be out at the end of the muzzle. It will be where all rifle length gas holes are. You'll use a clamp on front sight out at the end of the barrel. Armalite and JP both make one.
 
The gas port isn't going to be out at the end of the muzzle. It will be where all rifle length gas holes are. You'll use a clamp on front sight out at the end of the barrel. Armalite and JP both make one.
What he said....
If the gas port is too close to the muzzle end, you can have cycling/reliability issues.

There are a couple companies that sell uppers in this config. (Bushmaster, Delton, Model 1....) They call them dissipator uppers.
 
http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?item_id=b-18i-556&cat=158&page=1&search=&since=&status=

It is not rifle length, but it has a pinned front sight. Quality- excellent.
 
http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?item_id=b-18i-556&cat=158&page=1&search=&since=&status=

It is not rifle length, but it has a pinned front sight. Quality- excellent.

Score! This is what I'm talkin' 'bout, Willis! Bookmarked, ready to accumulate funding.
 
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