Shortening AR barrel

wake.joe · #1 07-15-09, 08:03

Deleted

adh · #2 07-15-09, 09:51

You'd probably make out best sending your barrel to ADCO for the work to be done, rather than buying a new barrel. While at ADCO you'd probably benefit furhter by having them also lighten up the barrel under the handguards (for most this would be a beneftit IMO)

lowspeed4u · #3 07-15-09, 10:37

That sounds really good and it's not hard to shorten the barrel, but now you just created a SBR and can go to jail for doing so. anything below 16in is illegal inless you have the tax stamp, $200 dollars. I would recomend gettinng that before hacking your barrel to avoind the prison sentence. If the vortex makes it back to 16in your good it just has to be permentaly attached what that means is you can't put it on or take it off. You would have to send it somewhere to be done there is a whole heat and not be taken off thing and other stuff.

Hope this helps with your decision.

wake.joe · #4 07-15-09, 10:40

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Brother Rat · #5 07-15-09, 10:50

Unless you want to go the SBR route, the FH has to be pinned and welded. If it was me I'd get someone like ADCO to do it, but that's because I don't have the tools or the metalworking expertise. YMMV.

rmecapn · #6 07-15-09, 12:06

I have two 14.5" RRA barrels. One was cut and pinned with a Phantom by ADCO, who did an excellent job. The other was special ordered from RRA with a pinned Smith Vortex. So, you have at least those two options before you.

decodeddiesel · #7 07-15-09, 12:12

I sent my LMT 16" barrel to ADCO and had them chop it to 14.5", add the "step" in from of the 203 notch, re-thread/crown, and re-park the whole barrel. They even parked under the FSB (my one issue with LMTs). I perm attached a Smith Vortex to bring it to 16.1".

I am very happy with the results.

Parabellum9x19mm · #8 07-15-09, 16:09

that looks really nice.

mind PMing me how much that work cost?

i have a 16" LMT M4 and ever since i got into Midlength uppers, 16" CARs just look really weird to me.

decodeddiesel · #9 07-15-09, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parabellum9x19mm

that looks really nice.

mind PMing me how much that work cost?

i have a 16" LMT M4 and ever since i got into Midlength uppers, 16" CARs just look really weird to me.

It was a while ago so you may just want to contact Steve at ADCO for a more recent quote, but I think it was about $130 with return shipping.

wake.joe · #10 07-15-09, 17:21

Deleted.

decodeddiesel · #11 07-15-09, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by wake.joe

After you shortened the barrel, did you change anything in the action? Did it cycle well?

Why would I change anything in the action?

I run the weapon with an "H" buffer, and I ran that before and after the barrel work.

The only malfunctions I have ever had with this rifle are ammo (had a Brown Bear stick in the chamber once) or magazine related (running very old magazines I had left over from the Army). All of which happened before I got the work done.

I have fired 1200 rounds (500 Brown Bear 62gr, 500 Wolf Military Classic 55gr, 200 PRVI M855) in 3 outings since the barrel work was done and never had any malfunctions or stoppages whats so ever.

Col_Crocs · #12 07-15-09, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by decodeddiesel

I sent my LMT 16" barrel to ADCO and had them chop it to 14.5", add the "step" in from of the 203 notch, re-thread/crown, and re-park the whole barrel. They even parked under the FSB (my one issue with LMTs). I perm attached a Smith Vortex to bring it to 16.1".

I am very happy with the results.

Would you happen to know if they removed the original park of the whole barrel or just dipped it right in and parked the bare areas?

decodeddiesel · #13 07-15-09, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col_Crocs

Would you happen to know if they removed the original park of the whole barrel or just dipped it right in and parked the bare areas?

I don't know to be honest, but upon inspection under the shop lights the park was very even and clean.

ranger216 · #14 07-16-09, 03:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by wake.joe

I'd like to shorten the barrel on my AR to 14.5, on my Rock River Arms, and attach a Vortex flash hider. I have a sixteen inch barrel, so would only be removing 1.5 inches. But I have a few questions.

One, is there somewhere I can buy a 14.5 inch barrel already cut?
-Found this at DelTon. I would imagine it's a Wilson barrel, so of good quality. http://www.del-ton.com/Wilson_Arms_Barrels_p/bl1009.htm
--I got to thinking, though. If I just have someone put my existing barrel in a lathe, I would avoid confusion issues (Like head spacing).

Two, would I need to change anything inside the gun? Buffer spring, BCG, extractors, anything at all?

Three, while I realize velocity will be slower (Although not by much), how will accuracy hold? Will it still fire shelf ammo like .223 Remington? I do reload ammo, so could make my own loads for accuracy. But will the 1.5 inch removal affect it's ability to shoot shelf ammo? I'm only looking for a few hundred yards.

And semi-related, what are the chances of being harassed? If a trooper pulls up while we're in the woods and looks over my rifle, will he give me a hard time?

I understand the difference is not much. But the 14.5 feels better to be. I feel as though the shorter barrel, that I'm more used to in the field, in addition to a few ounces of metal being removed, will make it a better suited rifle in the long run.

I plan to build another upper, rifle length, for way-out-there shooting.

First of all I'm no expert but i will attempt to answer your Q's.
1. Yes you can buy a 14.5 all over the place if you can find one in stock, you can also send it off and have someone shorten it for you. I seen an auction on gun broker a while back that would shorten, recown and thread for like 49.95. I will not vouch for their work.
2.If you shorten you'll either have to get a SBR stamp, own a registered machine gun lower or pin and solder the flash suppressor/ comp on.
3. after you shorten the barrel you will lose some velocity=bullet drop=range, however you might gain accuracy, do to less barrel flex.
4. You'll still be able to fire any shelf ammo that you were able to fire before.
5. It highly unlikely that a highway patrol would even notice the barrel length and as long was you follow number 2 your GTG.
6. You will not have to change anything on your rifle after you shorten.
I hope this helps.