Proper way to measure AR Barrel length?

[Dastook]

What is the proper way to measure the barrel length on a civilian AR 15? Do you measure from the very beginning of the chamber, where the bolt comes to battery, to the end of the compensator? Or to the end of the barrel inside the compensator, or in other words is the compensator considered part of the barrel?

[rob_s]

the "compensator" is only considered to be part of the barrel if it is permanently attached via welding or pinning.

[OldNavyGuy]

first, make damn certain the rifle is unloaded, close the bolt/carrier in the locked position, take your cleaning rod and put is down the barrel tili it comes i contact with the locked bolt, mark the rod at the end of barrel/flash hider etc., and use a tape measure and measure from the tip of rod to your mark, THAT measurement is the total length of your barrel.

[CarlosDJackal]

I've been using this as a guide: http://www.ar15barrels.com/profiles.shtml

Good luck!!

[Perryguy]

Unless the flash hider or comp is permanently attached per ATF regs then it does not count as part of the barrel length measurement!