View Full Version : This barrel gtg?
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XATIB556M4
I know everyone has seen this barrel this past week but here is the specs:
$139.95
New Mossberg OEM 16" .223/5.56x45 caliber barrels for AR type Rifles. These high quality M4 profile barrels feature a complete inside and out Melonite coating, 1:7 twist and M4 feed ramps.
Specifications:
-.223/5.56 Caliber
-M4 Profile
-1:7 Twist Rate
-1/2x28 Muzzle Thread
-M4 Feed Ramps
-Carbine length gas hole
-.750" Gas shoulder
Ive read through the huge thread i found in the search engine and it didnt really answer my question....is this barrel gtg? My research says gtg but Im not a metallurgist or armorer and would rather someone with the experience and knowledge to help me out.
My build:
A weapon that I can use as HD, range, carbine courses, SHTF, ICE...all the above.
Im kind of on a budget and would like to stay under $200. Now I can get a parkerized CL 4150 for $187 but Im curious to see what M4C has to say about this barrel before I do.
Thanks to all in advance.
polymorpheous
04-04-13, 01:11
You know Bravo Company has barrels in stock right?
Why would you use an unknown for home defense?
If you are on a budget, the 2 parts you don't want to cheap out on are the bolt and the barrel.
These parts are the heart of the rifle.
You may know this, but if you go with a barrel with a good coating (meaning something other than parkerizing) you may have a difficult time installing a standard front sight base. The melonite coating on that barrel will make it difficult to do the small cutouts for the pins for the standard front sight base. Some gunsmiths won't even attempt that installation on coated barrels.
Otherwise, the specs on the barrel all look good. But you just can't be sure by looking at specs. For example, when they say "carbine length gas hole", what they mean is carbine length gas hole LOCATION. There is no industry standard spec for the size (diameter) of the gas hole for carbines, rifles or even AR pistols. So you could get a hole that is too big or too small. That small issue could have a huge effect on how your guns functions (or doesn't function).
Since you say it is possibly for serious use, I'd get something from a more reputable manufacturer for barrels. If this was going to be a range toy or simply for a fun project gun, I would say go for it and buy the barrel.
Joe Mamma
IIRC Mossberg is a OEM for many AR companies on the market, however I do not recall which ones.
It's a 1/7 twist melonite barrel for $140. It's a steal regardless of it being Mossberg. I've heard of them producing barrels for various manufacturers but I cannot remember who, honestly. I know that Mossberg's AR are "commercial" but they do make a fine shotty, still.
I think it's the best deal you'll find on a barrel right now, IMO. Thinking about picking one up as a spare and this is coming from a BCM fanboy. If the gasport size isn't to your liking then return or sell it. Maybe I'm just drinking the melonite kool-aid at this point :)
You know Bravo Company has barrels in stock right?
Why would you use an unknown for home defense?
If you are on a budget, the 2 parts you don't want to cheap out on are the bolt and the barrel.
These parts are the heart of the rifle.
At one point in time BCM was unproven too.
What's wrong with buying it and testing it out for himself?
Your post reads like he's going to drop it into a rifle and trust it implicitly... which is a little silly being that he's already asking for feedback on it.
Mossberg has been making barrels for decades. Can you give some evidence behind you belief that Mossberg doesn't know how to make an AR barrel, or are you just speculating?
For that price I'm tempted to try it out myself. I'd just like to know more about the steel used and the gas port dimensions...
polymorpheous
04-04-13, 11:38
At one point in time BCM was unproven too.
What's wrong with buying it and testing it out for himself?
Your post reads like he's going to drop it into a rifle and trust it implicitly... which is a little silly being that he's already asking for feedback on it.
Mossberg has been making barrels for decades. Can you give some validity behind you belief that Mossberg doesn't know how to make an AR barrel, or are you just speculating?
For that price I'm tempted to try it out myself. I'd just like to know more about the steel used and the gas port dimensions...
Did you read the OP?
The intended use is for home defense.
BCM send out T&E rifles to get the crap beat out of them.
Google search "filthy 14".
Did you read the OP?
The intended use is for home defense.
BCM send out T&E rifles to get the crap beat out of them.
Google search "filthy 14".
What's your point? Until any firearm is put through it's paces, it shouldn't be trusted. Who gives a crap what name is on the side if it performs?
I'm well aware of Pat's Filthy 14 rifle.
IMO, the specs of the barrel make it worth the price of admission unless Mossberg somehow screwed things up horribly. It's less than half the cost of a BCM barrel right now. At the very least, it's worth one of us buying it, putting it through it's paces and then posting impressions!
(I wouldn't be saying any of this if it were not for the melonite)
Melonite or not, a coating can be applied to a good barrel or a crap barrel. Mossberg could be selling a good barrel or not, you really can't tell by their specs. I'm not willing to invest the money to find out when there are "sure things" already out there.
IIRC Mossberg was also making some barrels for other AR manufacturers. I can't remember who off the top of my head.
On the surface the specs appear decent, but I would want to know the port size and be sure that the chamber is truly 5.56. It does make me want to buy one for educational/ research purposes to see how it does.
I'm also interested. Seems like a good deal if correctly chambered.
Sounds like Vurwhaaping Blog needs to get one of these and do his bimetal bullet test. :cool:
saddlerocker
04-05-13, 09:58
I know Del-ton used/uses their chrome lined barrels.
For the price Id say go for it.
If the port isnt to your liking get a gas port insert from Clint or one of the other new gas flow solutions.
PSA also has good prices on barrels with good specs. Just another option.
I ordered one about a week ago, and my barrel from AIM arrived today. It's beautifully machined and finished with the super black melonite. The rifling and crown is superbly cut, as are the M4 feed ramps. The gas port measures .0625" as it should for carbine length.
I am only skeptical because given the market, why are they selling this item to the public as an OEM barrel? Especially at the bargain pricing they are putting this out under.
If they do in fact make barrels for other AR mfg's (as stipulated by those who know they do) has this market dried up for them? Has the OEM demand for these barrels lessened to a point where they would be sold as is and not into a fully assembled AR?
The specs seem to be on the better end of the spectrum, outside of knowing what the barrel steel is. I wonder why Mossberg chose to set these loose into the aftermarket vs putting them into their own clones or through the OEM market.
Maybe they can't get bolt carriers like the rest of us. Need to keep moving stuff to keep the cash flow going.
Maybe they can't get bolt carriers like the rest of us. Need to keep moving stuff to keep the cash flow going.
Good point. After some thought on this, I think I remember reading here that there is no shortage of barrels.
richiecotite
04-12-13, 21:16
To piggyback on IG's statement, if it isn't a true 5.56, and with the melonite, would it be possible to ream it to spec? If possible, would it be much more difficult?
Anyone use these things yet and have feedback on them?
I believe one or two did and the chambers were out spec. Right now it doesn't make sense as they are good barrels and parts everywhere.
Anyone use these things yet and have feedback on them?
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