Lightweight 16" barrel recommendations?

**titsonritz** · 10-09-21, 17:43

I don't have BA Hanson barrel but I do like that style of profile and if ever got a barrel from Aero/BA it would be a Hanson. I do have a couple of SIONICS LW barrels and a BCM ELW (mine is 14.5 though) that I like a lot. I would also recommend a Criterion CORE. All my barrels except my 18 SPR are chrome lined.

**ike838** · 10-09-21, 18:45

Originally Posted by Stickman

BCM has some nice fluted LW barrels as well.

I will take another look at both the BA the BCM barrels suggested. Whatever I end up with it will be going in a "blem" BCM stripped upper I picked up a couple of months ago.

**Renegade04** · 10-09-21, 19:11

Check out the LaRue Tactical PredatAR barrel. Not sure what they weigh, but they are sweet barrels.

https://www.larue.com/products/5-56-predatar-barrel-k/

**ABNAK** · 10-09-21, 20:19

I have a few BCM ELW barrels. Only one is a 16", the other two are 14.5" P/W. IMHO the weight is distributed very well (i.e. it's not nose-heavy) by putting the thicker part back in front of the chamber and tapering from there.

If you find a barrel that you like you can either leave the gas block set-screwed or get it pinned. My recommendation would be to get it pinned, but to each his own. Two of the three ELW barrels I have are pinned, one by ADCO and one by John Thomas (highly regarded for good reason). The third is the BCM factory set-screw/red Loctite combo. Haven't had a problem yet. Either choice is good if done properly, but I lean towards "overkill" and like 'em pinned.

**Disciple** · 10-09-21, 20:33

Originally Posted by Milspec78

I used a faxon 14.5” and did a pin and weld.very light weight and VERY ACCURATE.not sure why you don’t hear of more people using them?

Quality control issues.

**jsbhike** · 10-09-21, 20:33

Originally Posted by ABNAK

I have a few BCM ELW barrels. Only one is a 16", the other two are 14.5" P/W. IMHO the weight is distributed very well (i.e. it's not nose-heavy) by putting the thicker part back in front of the chamber and tapering from there.

If you find a barrel that you like you can either leave the gas block set-screwed or get it pinned. My recommendation would be to get it pinned, but to each his own. Two of the three ELW barrels I have are pinned, one by ADCO and one by John Thomas (highly regarded for good reason). The third is the BCM factory set-screw/red Loctite combo. Haven't had a problem yet. Either choice is good if done properly, but I lean towards "overkill" and like 'em pinned.

I never had a malfunction from red thread locked set screws, but went ahead and staked them with an automatic center punch since the barrel likely can get hot enough to melt the locker. Still not as bomb proof as pins, but thinking it would take noticeable damage to knock it out of alignment with the staked screws.

**GH41** · 10-09-21, 21:08

BCM ELW.

**ST911** · 10-10-21, 08:56

The Wilson Ranger and Paul Howe variants are excellent, and in stock. GTG 5.56 chambers, expect MOA-ish accuracy. Intermediate gas, so if you're into aftermarket springs and buffers you may need to tweak.

LT PredatAR is GTG.

The BCM ELW is GTG as well, seen some that are very accurate.

**Stickman** · 10-10-21, 10:06

Originally Posted by jsbhike

I never had a malfunction from red thread locked set screws, but went ahead and staked them with an automatic center punch since the barrel likely can get hot enough to melt the locker. Still not as bomb proof as pins, but thinking it would take noticeable damage to knock it out of alignment with the staked screws.

Good man, I stake mine as well. I think you and I might be some of the only ones.