View Full Version : Barrel profile question?
Looking for a barrel for a new build. I don't really want a M4 profile barrel but have seen a few other options but have no experience or knowledge of these.
I see on a few websites list "light weight" but not sure if that is a "pencil profile" or not. I see "government profile" and to me, it looks like a standard "M4" profile without the grenade ring cut out. Also, I see on a few websites "BA Hanson" and really not sure what that is.
Can anyone elaborate?
What are you looking for?
Light weight varies by brand so you will have to look at a drawing or listed weight and make sure what is getting weighed (ie, barrel only or fsb, gas block, and so on).
Usually government profile like an M16A2/A4 barrel, thin under handguards and thicker forward of the gas block and seem to usually be used on mid length gas systems. I think I have seen 20" M16A1 & A2/A4 barrels as government profile too.
https://ballisticadvantage.com/hanson-barrels/5-56-nato-ba-hanson-performance-series/ba-hanson-series-556
I am interested in barrels that gradually taper to a thinner diameter at the muzzle such as:
https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Enhance-Profile-Barrels-s/209.htm
https://faxonfirearms.com/16-gunner-5-56-nato-mid-length-4150-qpq/
And BRT is another taper barrel I was trying to recall the name of.
What are you looking for?
I went hog hunting with a friend of mine ( he kills approx. 500 during the summer months). The problem: we have to park off property, them walk about 20 minutes to get into a john boat an travel up river a ways and then walk another 30-40 minutes to get to where we need to be. UTV's, motorcycles and four wheelers are out of the question (no roads) and nothing but mesquite trees and cactus. My personal suppressed MK18-ish is perfect with the PEQ 15 while wearing NVG's but heavy. Too heavy for all the walking I have to do to get to the property that he likes to hunt on while carrying a backpack full of equipment for a 4-5 hour hunt- then carry it all back to the cars.. So I want to build a extremely light weight no frills 16" 556. Something I can carry without getting fatigued but also maintain accuracy.
Anyways: What is a BA Hanson profile?
gunnerblue
05-18-19, 19:09
The BA Hanson is a medium-weight barrel.
Try a 16" BCM ELW barrel. You can decide whether you want to fork up the extra $70 to make it a hammer forged one or not. It isn't a "match" barrel by any means, and your Mk18 will smoke it accuracy-wise. But it will get the job done and swings very well. It has the weight distributed in the smartest fashion: heavier back around the chamber with a continuous taper out towards the muzzle.
The BCM ELW, BA Hanson, BRT Optimum barrels have a continuous taper from the chamber to the muzzle. The .625" versions of these barrels will weigh 22-24 ounces. BCM is chrome lined.
Sionics makes a chrome lined lightweight 16" midlength barrel that weighs 22 ounces and the barrel with low profile gas block (LPGB) costs $219 - $90 less than the bare BCM ELW.
Black River Tactical (BRT) is selling their closeout 16" Optimum Light barrels for $245 with a LPGB. They weigh 24 ounces and use an extended gas system length.
The BA Hanson barrels come with a pinned LPGB and run a bit cheaper than the other barrels I mentioned. You have to be a little careful - they make both .750 and .625 versions of the 16" midlength. The .625 is (Captain Obvious) lighter.
The Faxon Gunner and Pencil barrels are another choice and the pencil is about the lightest 16" barrel around. The reviews on the Faxon Pencil barrels here have been mixed.
There are many other barrels out there of course, but that should give you a selection to check out. I don't think you could lose with BCM, Sionics, BRT or BA, and the choice comes down to price and features.
Andy
P.S. Government profile normally means .750 from gas block to muzzle. Pencil is normally .625 gas block, barrel slightly thinner than that from the gas block to muzzle. An M16A2 is Government profile, M16A1 is pencil. They are the same from chamber to gas block.
I've used the Sionics LW and the BRT LW. I'm happy with both of them. I'd also consider the BRT LPR. The BRT has an extended gas drive, and can be set up to shoot incredibly smoothly.
I've used the Sionics LW and the BRT LW. I'm happy with both of them. I'd also consider the BRT LPR. The BRT has an extended gas drive, and can be set up to shoot incredibly smoothly.
I also have a BRT LW and like it.
Looking at building something similar to a 653/654 but with a flat top. Which barrel profile is used on that?
Looking at building something similar to a 653/654 but with a flat top. Which barrel profile is used on that?
This is probably an A1 profile barrel.
Palmetto has an interesting Ultra Light Weight barrel: https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-midlength-5-56-chf-ultra-lightweight-upper-with-bcg-and-charging-handle.html
Their lightweight barrels like this https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-14-7-mid-lenght-premium-5-56-nato-1-7-13-5-m-lok-pinned-welded.html or this https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-mid-length-lightweight-chf-stainless-steel-5-56-nato-1-7-barrel.html do not actually look lightweight and more of a medium weight vs other brands.
Spikes 14.5" CHF barrel is also very lightweight: https://www.spikestactical.com/collections/barrels/5-56-barrel-midlength-lightweight-14-5/ and is probably comparable to BCM's ELW.
You could save a lot of weight by upgrading your mk18 handguard to something lighter.
Since you are using a PEQ-15 you still need a fairly rigid rail.
The Geissele Mk14 handguard would be a great fit I think.
Also a hell of a lot more comfortable than the Mk18 handguard.
Geissele runs 20% off sales nearly every major holiday.
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Edited
Will need a tall sight post and non m4 cut upper.
http://www.specializedarmament.com/%E2%80%94-barrel-assemblies-parts/barrel-assembly-14.5-inch-r0723-carbine/
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/barrel-parts/rifle-barrels/ar-15-14-7-a1-carbine-barrel-assembly-prod97902.aspx
Or F base
http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/gm-m62-14-5-5-56-nato-pencil-profile/
I have one of the PSA ultra light mid gas uppers I stuck a Midwest Industries 2nd Gen SS rail on and it is very light and handy.
I would go lightweight on upper / lower / rail and components along with a Larue PredatAR barrel. In my experience they dont string as much as other pencil barrels (although a bit heavier at 1.6lb) but they can be lasers in the right config. Plus they are affordable allowing you to spend money on the lightweight components.
Ok, scratch that idea. The guys im going with all have 6.8's, 308's and a Nemo 300mag. They tell me 556 might not kill a hog at 250-300 yards. So, what I have in my arsenal is a Browning 30-06 BAR II and a Browning 30-06 Safari. And a Sako 85 L 375 H&H- which I think is overkill. I appreciate all the effort and help from you guys, I think im going to try out a 30-06.
everready73
05-20-19, 08:03
Ok, scratch that idea. The guys im going with all have 6.8's, 308's and a Nemo 300mag. They tell me 556 might not kill a hog at 250-300 yards. So, what I have in my arsenal is a Browning 30-06 BAR II and a Browning 30-06 Safari. And a Sako 85 L 375 H&H- which I think is overkill. I appreciate all the effort and help from you guys, I think im going to try out a 30-06.
Why not build an upper with a 12'' 6.5 Grendel. Will take out hogs all day and you can just throw it on an AR lower you already have
Why not build an upper with a 12'' 6.5 Grendel. Will take out hogs all day and you can just throw it on an AR lower you already have
That's a really good idea, can never have to many AR uppers. However, if I had a 30-06 (I have two, a Rem. 750 Woodmaster Carbine (my main deer rifle) and 7600 Carbine) I'd probably use it.
Just my $.02, NYH1.
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