FN America Contract Overrun 5.56 18" [Archive]

LMT/556

08-22-20, 06:35

Anyone know the story behind these? They look like a forged chrome lined SPR barrel, or perhaps a DMR, but the price is twice what an FN factory over-run would cost (~$229 vs $499).
FN America Contract Overrun 5.56 Cold Hammer Forged Rifle Barrel - Hybrid Profile - 18" (https://www.primaryarms.com/fn-america-contract-overrun-556-cold-hammer-forged-rifle-barrel-hybrid-profile-18in)

omegajb

08-22-20, 07:13

FN might have been contracted by another company to make these barrels
It could have been to Remington but I don't know if they supplied 18" barrels to the US military.

The person who would best know would be Chris at Small Arms Solution, I'd ask him during his next live chat.

I didn't compare the specs but this might be the same barrel for less at Optics Planet.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/fnh-usa-ar-15-hammer-forged-18-inch-barrel-rifle-length-gas-system-5-56mm-nato-3.html

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Circle_10

08-22-20, 07:31

FN might have been contracted by another company to make these barrels
It could have been to Remington but I don't know if they supplied 18" barrels to the US military.

The person who would best know would be Chris at Small Arms Solution, I'd ask him during his next live chat.

I didn't compare the specs but this might be the same barrel for less at Optics Planet.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/fnh-usa-ar-15-hammer-forged-18-inch-barrel-rifle-length-gas-system-5-56mm-nato-3.html

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The one at Optics Planet is a more conventional A2 “government profile” type rifle barrel, just a couple inches shorter. I bought one years ago but have never gotten around to using it for anything.

MikhailBarracuda91

08-22-20, 07:34

FN might have been contracted by another company to make these barrels
It could have been to Remington but I don't know if they supplied 18" barrels to the US military.

The person who would best know would be Chris at Small Arms Solution, I'd ask him during his next live chat.

I didn't compare the specs but this might be the same barrel for less at Optics Planet.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/fnh-usa-ar-15-hammer-forged-18-inch-barrel-rifle-length-gas-system-5-56mm-nato-3.html

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I wish Chris would make an account here. That guy is a wealth of knowledge.

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Straight Shooter

08-22-20, 07:52

deleted.

Slater

08-22-20, 08:06

Is there any current US or foreign government configuration that takes an 18 inch barrel?

omegajb

08-22-20, 08:16

Is there any current US or foreign government configuration that takes an 18 inch barrel?A quick search didn't produce any results. It could be a DMR rifle with FN making the barrels for someone else but that's really just a guess.

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LMT/556

08-22-20, 20:13

I'm in the market for a new barrel even but I'm having a tough time understanding how this is a good choice at $499, and you have to buy a gas block and tube. Stainless barrels from Centurion and Noveske with likely better chambers both come in less than this...

Maybe the barrel in this:
https://fnamerica.com/products/rifles/fn-15-competition/

Hammer_Man

08-23-20, 12:51

I'm in the market for a new barrel even but I'm having a tough time understanding how this is a good choice at $499, and you have to buy a gas block and tube. Stainless barrels from Centurion and Noveske with likely better chambers both come in less than this...

Maybe the barrel in this:
https://fnamerica.com/products/rifles/fn-15-competition/

You can buy a Centurion Arms MK12 barrel for that kind of money.

RHINOWSO

08-23-20, 14:53

I love how the term "contract over-run" gets everyone salivating, like they are getting something UBER special.

What kind of contract? For whom? You have no idea and it means nothing.

It really doesn't matter, if you like the barrel specs / price point, buy. If not, don't.

At at $500, there is nothing about that barrel that interests me.

crusader377

08-24-20, 09:55

I think it would be a good barrel at the $250-$300 price point but honestly I would rather buy the Criterion 18" hybrid and save $200.

ViniVidivici

08-24-20, 15:31

You can buy a Centurion Arms MK12 barrel for that kind of money.

Exactly. Nothing about that barrel justifies the price, in my opinion.

Sry0fcr

08-25-20, 14:50

I love how the term "contract over-run" gets everyone salivating, like they are getting something UBER special.

What kind of contract? For whom? You have no idea and it means nothing.

It really doesn't matter, if you like the barrel specs / price point, buy. If not, don't.

At at $500, there is nothing about that barrel that interests me.

Came to post this. This could be a PSA overrun barrel with a hogged out gas port to go along with it for all we know.

Coal Dragger

08-25-20, 16:48

A hogged out gas port wouldn't be a deal breaker for a stripped barrel, just plan on getting a BRT insert gas block or BRT gas tube. That said, for the asking price if a guy needed to do that too.... not sure It's worth it. I do like 18" cold hammer forged chrome lined rifle length gas barrels but damn that one is a lot of money.

LMT/556

08-28-20, 19:44

I do like 18" cold hammer forged chrome lined rifle length gas barrels but damn that one is a lot of money.
Agreed. It would probably make a durable, high round count DMR/SPR. My Noveske 18" uses that intermediate gas tube between mid-length and rifle.

10MMGary

08-28-20, 21:05

https://www.primaryarms.com/fn-america-556-nato-cold-hammer-forged-carbine-length-ar15-barrel-government-18 Here is one from FN for $260.00