DD 11.5" or a Sionics 11.5" barrel?

[Mr.Fårikål]

I am trying to decide between the DD or the Sionics 11.5" barrel for a new upper build. I just learned that DD has recently changed the gas port size of their 11.5" and made it smaller. I think that was one of the biggest complaints about the DD 11.5" barrel. I have also heard great things about the Sionics barrel.

I found a deal for the DD barrel at $220 and the Sionics is $200. So nothing major price difference wise.

The DD barrel is listed as 3-4 ounces lighter.
The DD barrel is CHF.
Both are chrome lined.

Just flip a coin between them?

[Pappabear]

Get one of the Reduced Gas Port barrels from Sionics. Not the extreme reduced, just the RGP barrel, its gassed perfectly for BOTH suppressed or NOT suppressed. No gambling on gas port sizes. I own both and like both. Does DD make a 11.5 or isn't it a 10.3 barrel?

Many folks believed the 11.5 length is optimal for reliability. Thats a whole NUTHER story.

PB

[Mr.Fårikål]

Get one of the Reduced Gas Port barrels from Sionics. Not the extreme reduced, just the RGP barrel, its gassed perfectly for BOTH suppressed or NOT suppressed. No gambling on gas port sizes. I own both and like both. Does DD make a 11.5 or isn't it a 10.3 barrel?

Many folks believed the 11.5 length is optimal for reliability. Thats a whole NUTHER story.

PB

DD makes both a 10.3" (used in the Mk18 upper) and the 11.5" (as well as a whole bunch of other barrels).

This is the one: https://danieldefense.com/cold-hammer-forged-barrels/11-5-inch-chf-barrels/11-5-5-56mm-carbine-1-7-government-profile.html

DD's older 11.5" barrels were 0.076 but they changed that this year and they are now 0.069. Which is much better and should help with the issues some guys were complaining about before.

[sidewaysil80]

Not on your list but I’d look long and hard at Ballistic Advantage barrels. Stainless steel/melonite, cheaper, and come with accuracy guarantee/warranty. When measuring for my 10.3” they produced a gas port that was right at .070” confirmed with pin gauges. No way affiliated with them, I’ve just NEVER been disappointed with their barrels and think they are a steal.

[El Vaquero]

I have a DD 11.5 with the 0.076. It’s very accurate and feels no different than my Colt Commando I used to use. Also may depend on ammo you are using. Sionics are 1/8 twist vs 1/7 for DD.

I’m torn between Sionics and DD myself for my next build. I do think it’s probably a toss up though.

[MQ105]

Sionics 11.5 barrels are 1/7.

[Iraqgunz]

Incorrect. The SIONICS 16" barrels are 1/8. The 11.5" is 1/7. Our barrel is also X-rayed and pre-dimpled for low profile gas blocks.


I have a DD 11.5 with the 0.076. It’s very accurate and feels no different than my Colt Commando I used to use. Also may depend on ammo you are using. Sionics are 1/8 twist vs 1/7 for DD.

I’m torn between Sionics and DD myself for my next build. I do think it’s probably a toss up though.

[mack7.62]

Twenty bucks is pretty cheap for upgrade to CHF.

[El Vaquero]

Good catch. Thanks for correction.

[bruin]

DD's older 11.5" barrels were 0.076 but they changed that this year and they are now 0.069. Which is much better and should help with the issues some guys were complaining about before.
That's interesting; DD CHF 11.5s now have a smaller gas port than Sionics RGPs.

IMHO $20 is a small price to pay for a savings of 3-4 oz.



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[Higgi]

I’m in the same boat. Just bought a 16” sionics barrel for my wife. It looks great! Hoping to finish build this weekend and test it. Trying to decide which 11.5 sionics. Both there egrp and rgp say there meant for suppressed so I’m torn. Do I go rgp hope to suppress someday or just normal gp and ensure reliability. After reading papabear I’m leaning toward rgp.

[Lawnchair 04]

The regular reduced gas port works for me both suppressed and unsupressed just fine. Of note I’m also left handed and I have no complaints

[Iraqgunz]

I can almost guarantee that the RGP will be fine without a suppressor.


I’m in the same boat. Just bought a 16” sionics barrel for my wife. It looks great! Hoping to finish build this weekend and test it. Trying to decide which 11.5 sionics. Both there egrp and rgp say there meant for suppressed so I’m torn. Do I go rgp hope to suppress someday or just normal gp and ensure reliability. After reading papabear I’m leaning toward rgp.

[TxRaptor]

I called and spoke with someone named Steve yesterday at Sionics about their 11.5 RGP barrel. I am also planning on placing an order for one soon and wanted to confirm the current posted expected shipping times of 9-14 weeks. I was informed it hopefully will not take that long but yes there currently is a wait for the RGP barrels.

Thought I would mention it in case you were in a rush.

[Mr.Fårikål]

I called and spoke with someone named Steve yesterday at Sionics about their 11.5 RGP barrel. I am also planning on placing an order for one soon and wanted to confirm the current posted expected shipping times of 9-14 weeks. I was informed it hopefully will not take that long but yes there currently is a wait for the RGP barrels.

Thought I would mention it in case you were in a rush.

Thanks for that. I decided to go the DD route just due to the price + availability. I will definitely give a Sionics barrel a shot sometime on a next build.


That's interesting; DD CHF 11.5s now have a smaller gas port than Sionics RGPs.

IMHO $20 is a small price to pay for a savings of 3-4 oz.

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I agree. I decided to go the DD just because of the price delta only being $20 and getting the CHF CL barrel + the weight savings.

[Clint]

For those looking for a non-chrome lined 11.5" option,
check out our OPTIMUM CQB (https://www.blackrivertactical.com/concrete5/store/#!/BRT-11-5-OPTIMUM-CQB-Barrel-PREORDER/p/110110072/category=1852006).

[Biggy]

For those looking for a non-chrome lined 11.5" option,
check out our OPTIMUM CQB (https://www.blackrivertactical.com/concrete5/store/#!/BRT-11-5-OPTIMUM-CQB-Barrel-PREORDER/p/110110072/category=1852006).

Edited: Question answered in another thread.

[Captains1911]

I’m in the same boat. Just bought a 16” sionics barrel for my wife. It looks great! Hoping to finish build this weekend and test it. Trying to decide which 11.5 sionics. Both there egrp and rgp say there meant for suppressed so I’m torn. Do I go rgp hope to suppress someday or just normal gp and ensure reliability. After reading papabear I’m leaning toward rgp.

My Sionics 11.5” RGP runs everything I’ve tried 100% unsuppressed, including PMC Bronze. The general consensus seems to be that it’s gassed perfectly for unsuppressed use. I still need to test mine in extreme cold with weaker ammo.

[Higgi]

My Sionics 11.5” RGP runs everything I’ve tried 100% unsuppressed, including PMC Bronze. The general consensus seems to be that it’s gassed perfectly for unsuppressed use. I still need to test mine in extreme cold with weaker ammo.

Thanks, I’m going to get on the wait list for a sionics rgp. Seems like a well liked barrel.

[Captains1911]

Thanks, I’m going to get on the wait list for a sionics rgp. Seems like a well liked barrel.

I should add that I’m running an ST-T2 buffer and blue sprinco, 100% reliable unsupressed. You won’t be dissapointed.

[natehansen66]

My 11.5 Sionics rgp cycles Wolf steel case at near 0deg with A5H2 no problem.
My Sionics 11.5” RGP runs everything I’ve tried 100% unsuppressed, including PMC Bronze. The general consensus seems to be that it’s gassed perfectly for unsuppressed use. I still need to test mine in extreme cold with weaker ammo.

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[prepare]

Does anyone Know the size of the gas port in the Sionics RGP?

[Captains1911]

Does anyone Know the size of the gas port in the Sionics RGP?

Others have reported measuring it around 0.070”, I believe.

[prepare]

Others have reported measuring it around 0.070”, I believe.

Compared to a Colt 11.5 that's not a reduced gas port. However it is a decent size. I've gone down as low as 0.063 using the BRT custom tune gas port insert with 100% reliability unsupressed. I think the Colt 11.5 is 0.069. Not sure why 0.076 is common unless it has something to do with sustained select fire or rapid fire tests...

[Iraqgunz]

.076 is fairly common. Older Colts were at least that size and I remember some older 6933's being around .080.

If I am not mistaken, we were doing the RGP barrel before Colt made that barrel public. Our first ones were done for an LE agency that was issuing their 11.5" SBR with a suppressor.


Compared to a Colt 11.5 that's not a reduced gas port. However it is a decent size. I've gone down as low as 0.063 using the BRT custom tune gas port insert with 100% reliability unsupressed. I think the Colt 11.5 is 0.069. Not sure why 0.076 is common unless it has something to do with sustained select fire or rapid fire tests...

[ajyaros]

Sionics.


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