Lightweight 16" barrel recommendations?

**C-grunt** · 10-10-21, 11:19

I've had really good luck with my BCM hammer forged ELW barrel. I don't think I've ever shot it for groups with a magnified optic and match ammo, however it will do 2-2.5 MOA with 55 grain ball and a red dot.

A friend has a DD light weight barrel that shoots fantastic. If I were looking for a new LW barrel the DD would be on the short list.

**ike838** · 10-10-21, 11:23

Even though I love the 18" Faxon Gunner I put together a few years ago I am scratching them from the list this time.
Further research found some recent quality control and customer service complaints on another forum.
Right now I'm leaning towards the Wilson Combat Ranger or the Odin Works Ultra. They both use 1/8 twist.
The Odin Works is cheaper, 1.2 oz lighter, comes with a adjustable gas block and uses standard mid length gas tubes.Not 13.25" intermediate length like the Wison.
All that being said I still wonder if the Wilson barrel would be of higher quality.
Has anybody tried the Odin barrel?
Is the BCM ELW worth the $100 premium? I have the feeling that any of the above barrels will exceed my skill level.

**Leonidas24** · 10-10-21, 19:49

Originally Posted by ike838

Even though I love the 18" Faxon Gunner I put together a few years ago I am scratching them from the list this time.
Further research found some recent quality control and customer service complaints on another forum.
Right now I'm leaning towards the Wilson Combat Ranger or the Odin Works Ultra. They both use 1/8 twist.
The Odin Works is cheaper, 1.2 oz lighter, comes with a adjustable gas block and uses standard mid length gas tubes.Not 13.25" intermediate length like the Wison.
All that being said I still wonder if the Wilson barrel would be of higher quality.
Has anybody tried the Odin barrel?
Is the BCM ELW worth the $100 premium? I have the feeling that any of the above barrels will exceed my skill level.

The Odin is listed at $305, holy french toast. Take a look at the Ballistic Advantage Hanson 16" .625 profile. It's 22 oz (like the Odin) would be far more durable than the Odin, and is $195 with the BA sale going on (spend 200, get 40 off.) I have shot BA barrels in the past and they were very nice. Mine never shot better than 1 MOA with good ammo, but it never shot much worse either.

https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/1...k-journal.html

**ABNAK** · 10-10-21, 20:18

Originally Posted by Leonidas24

The Odin is listed at $305, holy french toast. Take a look at the Ballistic Advantage Hanson 16" .625 profile. It's 22 oz (like the Odin) would be far more durable than the Odin, and is $195 with the BA sale going on (spend 200, get 40 off.) I have shot BA barrels in the past and they were very nice. Mine never shot better than 1 MOA with good ammo, but it never shot much worse either.

https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/1...k-journal.html

LOL

About 18 months ago or so I bought a Hodge Defense 14.5" barrel and paid $425.

Of course that was pre-craziness and I've looked recently and if anyone has them in stock they are close to the same price. I don't have many rounds through mine but there haven't been any problems. Did I overpay for a barrel I didn't really need? Meh.....maybe, but I don't regret it.

**georgeib** · 10-10-21, 20:35

Originally Posted by Stickman

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

You guys aren't alone. Been center punch staking mine for years. Seemed like a good idea.

**Leonidas24** · 10-10-21, 21:16

Originally Posted by ABNAK

LOL

About 18 months ago or so I bought a Hodge Defense 14.5" barrel and paid $425.

Of course that was pre-craziness and I've looked recently and if anyone has them in stock they are close to the same price. I don't have many rounds through mine but there haven't been any problems. Did I overpay for a barrel I didn't really need? Meh.....maybe, but I don't regret it.

At least with Hodge you're getting a known quality piece of barrel steel. The Odin is enigmatic at best; there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of information out there on it regarding gas port size, accuracy reports, etc. I was able to find it for $240 but even then I'm still leery of it, especially when BA has a pretty good track record and a much smarter external profile.

**titsonritz** · 10-10-21, 21:53

Originally Posted by Leonidas24

At least with Hodge you're getting a known quality piece of barrel steel. The Odin is enigmatic at best; there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of information out there on it regarding gas port size, accuracy reports, etc. I was able to find it for $240 but even then I'm still leery of it, especially when BA has a pretty good track record and a much smarter external profile.

Yeah, I'd rule that Odin out pretty fast, for reasons mentioned plus not sure why you'd want a SS barrel in the profile.

**1986s4** · 10-11-21, 08:39

I had a 16" Colt pencil barrel that I sent to Adco to cut, P&W and and a shoulder added to the muzzle end for the muzzle device to butt up against. I had some initial zeroing issues that I ironed out, mostly operator error. Adco did a great job assembling as well and the rear DDa1 sight is exactly in the middle of the housing now that it is zeroed. This pleases me immensely. If I didn't already have the Colt I would have gone with DD, BCM or Centurion.

**ST911** · 10-11-21, 08:45

Pay what it costs for what you want. Barrel attributes and origins are much more important than price tag. Most of what we're talking about is in a window of +/- $75, less than the value of the ammo expended in a practice session.