SOCOM M4A1 14.5'' Upper builds.

[WILDBILL]

Please post picture of your SOCOM upper builds? How many people have use CMMG SOCOM 14.5'' Barrels for their builds? How much does the 14.5''SOCOM Barrel weight more than a Reg. M4 14.5'' Barrel?

[Army Chief]

Not exactly a precise measurement, but I know the difference between the standard LE 6920 barrel and the SOCOM HB for the same weapon is about one pound -- keeping in mind that this is in a 16" (vice 14.5") application.

Chief

[.45fmjoe]

I have a CMMG M4A1 barrel. I need to snap some updated pictures, I have since added an EOTech 512, LaRue mount, Troy BUIS and Magpul enhanced trigger guard. I'll try to take more pictures tonight. The lower is an Anvil Arms (out of Lakeland, FL) They did the custom engraving at a Tampa gun show for me. It was pretty fun, I e-mailed Jon the Autobots logo and he gave it to his graphics guy who imported it to Correl and that is the end result.

[LOKNLOD]

Originally Posted by Army Chief

Not exactly a precise measurement, but I know the difference between the standard LE 6920 barrel and the SOCOM HB for the same weapon is about one pound -- keeping in mind that this is in a 16" (vice 14.5") application.

Chief

If the profile difference is only under the handguards, the 1 pound difference should be the same regardless of 16" vs 14.5" OAL.

[buddyhoohaw]

Here's mine. Colt 6920 lower w/ Colt SOCOM M4A1 barreled upper. I went with the permanently attached extended A2 flash hider by Sabre Defense.







ETA: Here is a pic comparing the SOCOM barreled upper and the factory 6920 upper.

[Army Chief]

Originally Posted by LOKNLOD

If the profile difference is only under the handguards, the 1 pound difference should be the same regardless of 16" vs 14.5" OAL.

Good point! I think I had it in the back of my head that I was referencing an overall weight figure too, but obviously I failed to make any mention of that.

Even so, the practical differences between a 14.5" and 16" (weight wise) just on account of the barrel -- assuming like profiles -- are likely pretty negligible.

Chief

[Dano5326]

The heavy barrel is a not very effective solution to a firing schedule issue(institution unamed...). Yes it takes a few more rds to heat up, but much longer to cool down.

A better way is to:
-increase surface area (flute, dimple, crinkle sandblast, or combo application)
-more effective venting through the handguards
-heatsink barrel nuts
-train on a realistic firing schedule that replicates the peaks & lulls of conflict

[USMC03]

Colt LE6920's with Colt 14.5" SOCOM barrels:











Semper Fi,
Jeff

[rayray]

Originally Posted by .45fmjoe

I have a CMMG M4A1 barrel. I need to snap some updated pictures, I have since added an EOTech 512, LaRue mount, Troy BUIS and Magpul enhanced trigger guard. I'll try to take more pictures tonight. The lower is an Anvil Arms (out of Lakeland, FL) They did the custom engraving at a Tampa gun show for me. It was pretty fun, I e-mailed Jon the Autobots logo and he gave it to his graphics guy who imported it to Correl and that is the end result.

Cool Autobot Symbol

[comp1911]

Here is my M4A1 SOCOM build, Colt barrel.

[N.Franklin]

I ran a CMMG M4A1 barrel with a KAC RAS for a while and liked the setup, I wish they still made that profile barrel because I want to do another build with a full length DD RIS II.

[Stickman]

Holy dead thread resurrection......


Franklin- BCM makes the M4A1 barrel if you want one.

[MistWolf]

Originally Posted by Dano5326

The heavy barrel is a not very effective solution to a firing schedule issue(institution unamed...). Yes it takes a few more rds to heat up, but much longer to cool down.

A better way is to:
-increase surface area (flute, dimple, crinkle sandblast, or combo application)
-more effective venting through the handguards
-heatsink barrel nuts
-train on a realistic firing schedule that replicates the peaks & lulls of conflict

The above do help the rifle cool quicker but a heavier barrel still deals with heat better than a lighter one made of the same material. A lighter barrel my cool quicker but it reaches a higher temperature while dealing with the same amount of heat which leads to greater erosion.

Steel melts at the same temperature regardless of it's mass. Thinner steel needs less heat (fewer BTUs) before it reaches that temperature.

The argument that "lighter barrels cool faster" doesn't tell the whole story and is mis-leading

[Molon]

There is some seriously false information posted in this thread. The weight difference between a standard Colt M4/government profile barrel and the Colt SOCOM barrel is little more than 4 ounces. Here are some actual facts on the subject matter. All weights listed below are for the stripped barrel (the barrel and barrel extension only.)


Approximate stripped weights . . .

Colt 6520/6720, 16" light-weight barrel: 1 pound, 6 ounces.






Colt 14.5" M4/government profile barrel: 1 pound, 9 ounces.






Centurion Arms 16” hammer-forged “light weight” barrel: 1 pound, 10 ounces.






Noveske 16” N4 "light" barrel: 1 pound, 12 ounces.







Colt 6920, 16" M4/governmnet profile barrel: 1 pound, 12 ounces.






Colt 14.5” SOCOM barrel: 1 pound, 13 ounces.






Noveske 16" RECON, medium contour barrel: 2 pounds, 1.6 ounces.






Colt 6721, 16" HBAR: 2 pounds, 3.4 ounces.






Standard M4/government profile versus SOCOM profile.















.....

[N.Franklin]

Originally Posted by Stickman

Holy dead thread resurrection......


Franklin- BCM makes the M4A1 barrel if you want one.

Wow, didnt see last post was 2007 til now... I ended up buying a colt barrel, will be putting it on a 6920 with a DD RIS II and rattle canning everything.

[Rusty_Shackleford]

Originally Posted by N.Franklin

Wow, didnt see last post was 2007 til now... I ended up buying a colt barrel, will be putting it on a 6920 with a DD RIS II and rattle canning everything.

I'm surprised it hasn't been consolidated into the "Ar Picture Thread" yet.......

[Molon]

Additional barrels added to post #14.

[markm]

Don't buy CMMG barrels. Leave them for the Arfcom Inkjet printer repairmen!!!

[.45fmjoe]

Originally Posted by N.Franklin

Wow, didnt see last post was 2007 til now... I ended up buying a colt barrel, will be putting it on a 6920 with a DD RIS II and rattle canning everything.

That's going to be one heavy ass upper!

ETA - I ditched my M4A1 upper eons ago.

[ChromeLined]

I have the CMMG and im getting the BCM barreled SOCOM upper in a couple weeks.Weight increase is neglidgeable.I like a heavier barrel and this one fits the need and want.My rifles are real simple Aimpoint,BUIS and a light with standard handguards...removing the rails lightened it up and my needs for the accesories I use never required more rail space.If I want a foregrip I can always add a 2" rail to the bottom handguard.