Opinion on lightweight barrels

[Jonnyt16]

Just curious for any long-term or much-used feedback on lightweight barrels. Am about to pull the trigger on a Daniel Defense M4V7SLW (14.5" w/M-LOK) but it's only available with their slim profiled barrel. I've always been a bit wary of "pencil" barrels and have always opted for standard or government profiles but in this case I don't have a choice if I want that specific model. It will be used for training and carbine classes as well as home defense. What say you? I'm aware they tend to heat up quicker but how much does this affect accuracy and/or POI? Thanks fellas.

[ABNAK]

IMHO the ideal LW profile is the BCM Enhanced Lightweight profile. It is thicker near the rear and gradually tapers as it goes forward. That would tend to give the best structural "firmness" (for lack of a better word) during firing and the resultant heating of the barrel.

[Smurf]

IMHO the ideal LW profile is the BCM Enhanced Lightweight profile. It is thicker near the rear and gradually tapers as it goes forward. That would tend to give the best structural "firmness" (for lack of a better word) during firing and the resultant heating of the barrel.

I have zero complaints with this rifle and no issues with accuracy.

[Jonnyt16]

More thoughts/questions:

I'm transitioning from my Remington 870 Tactical to this Daniel Defense rifle for my main home defense long arm. Curious for those who use an AR-15 for HD as to what is your preferred ammunition of choice? Speaking strictly for home defense here. I use mostly M855 for classes and fun only because I bought thousands of the stuff back in the day but obviously this is not the best option for HD. Over-penetration being a concern (wife & kids), I went out and bought a few boxes of Hornady Varmint Express 55 gr V-MAX to use for bump-in-the-night situations. I will of course cycle a few mags through the gun out on the range first. Thoughts?

And pic because I'm bored:

[17K]

That Vmax would probably do it. I've been loaded up with MK262 for years. No complaints and I know it works well on the critters I've shot with it.

[MegademiC]

More thoughts/questions:

I'm transitioning from my Remington 870 Tactical to this Daniel Defense rifle for my main home defense long arm. Curious for those who use an AR-15 for HD as to what is your preferred ammunition of choice? Speaking strictly for home defense here. I use mostly M855 for classes and fun only because I bought thousands of the stuff back in the day but obviously this is not the best option for HD. Over-penetration being a concern (wife & kids), I went out and bought a few boxes of Hornady Varmint Express 55 gr V-MAX to use for bump-in-the-night situations. I will of course cycle a few mags through the gun out on the range first. Thoughts?

And pic because I'm bored:

I personally use 62gr gold dot.
I would not use vmax. its made to kill 5-20lb varmint. Stick to police or deer loads.
Heavy otms perform well also.

I suggest viewing the terminal ballistics forum as there is a ton of info down there.
If you hit your target it will not overpenetrate. If you miss, the ar loads will not penetrate any worse than an effective shotgun or pistol load, usually less actually.

[BufordTJustice]

I personally use 62gr gold dot.
I would not use vmax. its made to kill 5-20lb varmint. Stick to police or deer loads.
Heavy otms perform well also.

I suggest viewing the terminal ballistics forum as there is a ton of info down there.
If you hit your target it will not overpenetrate. If you miss, the at loads will not penetrate any worse than an effective shotgun or pistol load, usually less actually.

Agreed.

Jonnyt16, Read Dr. Gary K Roberts statements on overpenetration. It's simply not the concern you think it is. That VMAX could likely fail to incapacitate an attacker and it will go through your house's interior drywall end to end ANYWAY.

Bonded soft points (GDSP, TBBC, Nosler Bonded, etc) or homogeneous solids like TSX/GMX. Stick with those.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

[GH41]

For your application any heat induced shift means nothing. If you think it will bother you just get the regular 16" V7. It only weighs 4-5 oz more. Are you really sure you want a 14.5" barrel anyway?

[MegademiC]

Government barrels are lightweight profile under the hand guard. I don't the the mass hanging out front is helping you with anything. I went lightweight for my 2nd and it's more accurate than my govt barrel.

[lysander]

Government barrels are lightweight profile under the hand guard. I don't the the mass hanging out front is helping you with anything. I went lightweight for my 2nd and it's more accurate than my govt barrel.

^^^^
This.

Reducing the diameter of the barrel forward of the gas block won't hurt anything. All it will do is change where the rifle balance point is....