View Full Version : Colt SOCOM vs Daniel Defense Barrels?
So I've been collecting the parts for my future AR builds but it can be a bit challenging to decide what barrels to get. I've narrowed it down between these two. I've seen threads saying DD is the new Colt and Colt doesn't have the same quality it used to, etc... So I wanted to get the opinions of others on the subject matter. These are your general purpose AR's for any and all situations you can think of (SHTF, WROL, you know the rest...) I am planning on getting 14.5" barrels and sending them off to be chopped just a bit and they can resize the gas port if necessary for low and high pressure ammo. Any input is appreciated.
So I've been collecting the parts for my future AR builds but it can be a bit challenging to decide what barrels to get. I've narrowed it down between these two. I've seen threads saying DD is the new Colt and Colt doesn't have the same quality it used to, etc... So I wanted to get the opinions of others on the subject matter. These are your general purpose AR's for any and all situations you can think of (SHTF, WROL, you know the rest...) I am planning on getting 14.5" barrels and sending them off to be chopped just a bit and they can resize the gas port if necessary for low and high pressure ammo. Any input is appreciated.
Why don't you just buy a length/profile barrel you want that is gassed the way you want?? Most barrels are over gassed for a reason...
So I've been collecting the parts for my future AR builds but it can be a bit challenging to decide what barrels to get. I've narrowed it down between these two. I've seen threads saying DD is the new Colt and Colt doesn't have the same quality it used to, etc... So I wanted to get the opinions of others on the subject matter. These are your general purpose AR's for any and all situations you can think of (SHTF, WROL, you know the rest...) I am planning on getting 14.5" barrels and sending them off to be chopped just a bit and they can resize the gas port if necessary for low and high pressure ammo. Any input is appreciated.
A bit of a variance there, no? A gas port tuned for one will vary a good bit from one tuned for the other. To run cheap, shitty ammo you'll need a port on the larger side. Mil-spec/5.56NATO rounds will require less of a port size. I don't think there is a "one size fits all" unless it's a large one.
I can tell you from first hand experience, the Colt 14.5" SOCOM barrel has optimum gas porting for proper function with 5.56 spec ammo unsuppressed. It also functions with 100% reliability using Remington 223 ammo. They also deliver consistent precision. Both of mine will keep ten rounds of Federal 55 gr 5.56 under 2.5 MOA at one hundred yards.
I'd snag a Triarc, Lothar Walther, or BRT before either of them by a wide margin.
I can tell you from first hand experience, the Colt 14.5" SOCOM barrel has optimum gas porting for proper function with 5.56 spec ammo unsuppressed. It also functions with 100% reliability using Remington 223 ammo. They also deliver consistent precision. Both of mine will keep ten rounds of Federal 55 gr 5.56 under 2.5 MOA at one hundred yards.
Mist, did you free float, or was this on a standard upper? I’ve got a barrel and a plan, but have considered selling/trading the barrel for one with a FSB.
Apples vs oranges - heavy vs gov profile, carbine vs mid gas, CHF vs not. Both are great barrels but after the recent Crane testing I would lean towards the DD for a 14.5. However with your stated intent to have it "chopped just a bit and they can resize the gas port" you are asking for an uninformed opinion, not enough information for any kind of valid recommendation.
One is the new Colt M4A1 SOCOM rifle with the KAC drop in quad rail.
The other is a 6920 that I swapped out the 16" barrel for a pinned 14.5" Colt SOCOM barrel. It uses the Magpul Slimline handguard.
I'll post photos when I get home from work
Don't forget the BCM SOCOM barrel. I was shooting mine on Sunday, and was really impressed with the gassing/ejection smoothness using med/hot ammo.
I'd snag a Triarc, Lothar Walther, or BRT before either of them by a wide margin.
Interesting. I don't see these mentioned much. Any particular reasons why I should pick these over DD?
Why don't you just buy a length/profile barrel you want that is gassed the way you want?? Most barrels are over gassed for a reason...
Apples vs oranges - heavy vs gov profile, carbine vs mid gas, CHF vs not. Both are great barrels but after the recent Crane testing I would lean towards the DD for a 14.5. However with your stated intent to have it "chopped just a bit and they can resize the gas port" you are asking for an uninformed opinion, not enough information for any kind of valid recommendation.
Because my desired length (13.375) doesn't exist. So I wanted to get them chopped. I originally was going to do 12.5 builds but realized the barrels would be just a tad short. They won't clear the handguard. I still wanted the barrels to form nicely with build and just have the muzzle device protruding. Plus I find 14.5 to be the max length for general purpose, so I wanted to ease it down a bit. I mention resizing of the gas port because some companies make the barrels with larger gas ports while others don't. So it wouldn't matter since the barrel service company can resize if necessary.
Nightstalker865
12-12-18, 17:38
Interesting. I don't see these mentioned much. Any particular reasons why I should pick these over DD?
No, your much better off sticking with the DD or Colt barrel over any of those mentioned above. Stick with quality well tested/known manufacturers.
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Don't forget the BCM SOCOM barrel. I was shooting mine on Sunday, and was really impressed with the gassing/ejection smoothness using med/hot ammo.
Not that I wouldn't trust BCM with making a SOCOM barrel for me, but I buy theirs for other barrel profiles, specifically the ELW mid-length ones.
If I was going to pony-up the cash (no pun intended), I'd buy the Colt SOCOM if that type of barrel is what I was after.
Mist, did you free float, or was this on a standard upper? I’ve got a barrel and a plan, but have considered selling/trading the barrel for one with a FSB.
Here are the photos I promised
The factory built Colt M4A1 SOCOM with KAC quad rail
https://photos.smugmug.com/F1/M4A1-SOCOM/n-fNVFjd/i-rhk5qwZ/0/c862bb88/X2/i-rhk5qwZ-X2.jpg
Colt 6920 with a pinned Colt 14.5" SOCOM barrel and MagPul Slimline handguards
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-KVF2r4M/0/dfff8ce3/X4/i-KVF2r4M-X4.jpg
Both naked
https://photos.smugmug.com/F1/Tale-of-Two-SOCOMs/n-Vd8J3Q/i-SHGtBC9/0/9e1039ab/X3/i-SHGtBC9-X3.jpg
Awesome, much appreciated
Really funny to see someone call Lothar Walther "unknown." They OEM Accuracy International, DTA, and many more (including formerly Larue) and have been around forever.
Anyways, the Triarc (https://triarcsystems.com/product/14-5-track-2-0/) and LW (https://www.lothar-walther.com/892/ar15-std.-w.-mid-l.-stainless-life-hd-coated-5-56x45nato-polygon-mud-1/2-28-unef-2a-l-14.50?c=24) both have nicer rifling and will on average be significantly more accurate with equal or greater barrel life. I don't have a BRT but I've heard good things. Listen to flannel daddy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI6dwSTp2v0).
I also forgot to mention Criterion/ADM (https://www.americandefensemanufacturing.com/view/product/1282/?) who are also significantly nicer than DD/Colt and sit in the same range as the other aforementioned barrels.
I'm not sure what you are looking to spend, but really the best option is just to have Craddock Precision (https://craddockprecision.com/ar15-barrels/) cut you exactly what you are looking for from the start. They can nitride any barrel as well. Other posters indicated, there is no point in buying a 14.5in to cut it down. There are more than enough good options on the market (including custom cut like Craddock and CLE) to not need to do that. Everyone listed above does a 10.5 or 11.5 or 12.in if you wanted it.
Hammer_Man
12-13-18, 10:54
I've built 3 carbines with Colt SOCOM barrels, and they are awesome shooters. The Colt barrels have the correct gas port sizing for their length/gas systems, so you will not have issues in regards to function, EVER. I've never used a DD barrel, so I can't personally comment on their quality.
When I had my last upper built I went with the Colt SOCOM barrel. But for what you're going to do with it [chop & resize the gas port] I'd look into custom options from Compass Lake, Lilja or someone else that's reputable.
I feel like you’re comparing lowest bidder govt parts with upscale civilian parts. I’d assume the colt would last longer but the dd would be more accurate based on theoretical usage. But then you have to factor in freefloat, ammo, etc.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Coal Dragger
01-05-19, 09:24
You would be incorrect.
Here are the photos I promised
The factory built Colt M4A1 SOCOM with KAC quad rail
https://photos.smugmug.com/F1/M4A1-SOCOM/n-fNVFjd/i-rhk5qwZ/0/c862bb88/X2/i-rhk5qwZ-X2.jpg
Colt 6920 with a pinned Colt 14.5" SOCOM barrel and MagPul Slimline handguards
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-KVF2r4M/0/dfff8ce3/X4/i-KVF2r4M-X4.jpg
Both naked
https://photos.smugmug.com/F1/Tale-of-Two-SOCOMs/n-Vd8J3Q/i-SHGtBC9/0/9e1039ab/X3/i-SHGtBC9-X3.jpg
They look great MistWolf. I would like to ask how they handle. That is before the light and optics were installed how were they in terms of transition from target to target, ease of coming up to target etc.? I am much considering a build with the SOCOM barrel but I'm going to keep the carbine rather light with exception of the SOCOM barrel i.e., plastic handguard, no light, minimal optic or even irons.
Thanks
I'd snag a Triarc, Lothar Walther, or BRT before either of them by a wide margin.
Why don't you just buy a length/profile barrel you want that is gassed the way you want?? Most barrels are over gassed for a reason...
Apples vs oranges - heavy vs gov profile, carbine vs mid gas, CHF vs not. Both are great barrels but after the recent Crane testing I would lean towards the DD for a 14.5. However with your stated intent to have it "chopped just a bit and they can resize the gas port" you are asking for an uninformed opinion, not enough information for any kind of valid recommendation.
Really funny to see someone call Lothar Walther "unknown." They OEM Accuracy International, DTA, and many more (including formerly Larue) and have been around forever.
Anyways, the Triarc (https://triarcsystems.com/product/14-5-track-2-0/) and LW (https://www.lothar-walther.com/892/ar15-std.-w.-mid-l.-stainless-life-hd-coated-5-56x45nato-polygon-mud-1/2-28-unef-2a-l-14.50?c=24) both have nicer rifling and will on average be significantly more accurate with equal or greater barrel life. I don't have a BRT but I've heard good things. Listen to flannel daddy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI6dwSTp2v0).
I also forgot to mention Criterion/ADM (https://www.americandefensemanufacturing.com/view/product/1282/?) who are also significantly nicer than DD/Colt and sit in the same range as the other aforementioned barrels.
I'm not sure what you are looking to spend, but really the best option is just to have Craddock Precision (https://craddockprecision.com/ar15-barrels/) cut you exactly what you are looking for from the start. They can nitride any barrel as well. Other posters indicated, there is no point in buying a 14.5in to cut it down. There are more than enough good options on the market (including custom cut like Craddock and CLE) to not need to do that. Everyone listed above does a 10.5 or 11.5 or 12.in if you wanted it.
I checked out Triarc and they got a 13.9", which is close enough to length I was going for. But I have a hard time finding any info/reviews on them. Do you have any links to the info you stated about their barrels? Thanks!
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