Help with 14.5" light weight mid-length barrel

[Bluto]

I'm bored and decided to build something new.

I want a light weight mid-length 14.5" upper with a Surefire pinned/welded flash hider.

Who should I look to for a lightweight mid-length 14.5" barrel? BCM has some nice looking options, but they seem to be perpetually out of stock.

Don't plan on doing many mag dumps so heat dissipation isn't a real issue.

While the plan is to NOT run it suppressed I may one day add a Surefire SOCOM mini. Would like something properly gassed as I don't plan on running an adjustable gas block.

Looking for just the barrel, not a complete upper.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[1168]

The BRT CHF 14.5” has a really nice profile. Also consider the Criterion Core, if available.

BA Hanson, maybe? There are some good Green Mountain options, as well.

[markm]

BCM's ELW is unbelievable. That is THE light weight set up to have.

Mine is the smoothest AND lightest gun I've ever shot. Part of the glory might be the gunfighter muzzle device, but it's permed so I've never tried it with a regular flash hider.

[Stickman]

BCM's ELW is unbelievable. That is THE light weight set up to have.

I was just strolling by to comment the same thing.

[Johnny Rico]

BCM's ELW is unbelievable. That is THE light weight set up to have.

Mine is the smoothest AND lightest gun I've ever shot. Part of the glory might be the gunfighter muzzle device, but it's permed so I've never tried it with a regular flash hider.

I was just strolling by to comment the same thing.

Good to know. And here I was thinking I messed up not ordering a Sionics lightweight setup when I had the chance.

[grizzman]

I've got a couple BCM ELW 16s, and would likely get another if I felt a need for another lightweight build.

They're worth the wait.

[JediGuy]

Or BKF had Ballistic Advantage 14.7” Pencil barrels for $88.

[grizzman]

BA certainly exists, and I even have one in 308 Win, but you won't see me recommend one over BCM, Criterion, or any other maker of quality LW barrels.

[danieljmaunder]

Centurion makes a solid hammer forged lightweight 14.5 as well. Its not a pencil weight but its lighter than gov profile and is extremely well built.

[JediGuy]

BA certainly exists, and I even have one in 308 Win, but you won't see me recommend one over BCM, Criterion, or any other maker of quality LW barrels.

I’m not going to argue which is better, but SOLGW appears to white label this barrel, so I’m guessing it’s at least a decent option.

Edit: It’s also in stock.

A couple years ago, I had to buy a used BCM upper assembly (or just barrel, I don’t remember) that someone had pinned, then I cut off the MD, just to get an ELW Fluted barrel. They’re nice, but not always available. Also, there are credible concerns on this forum and others (YouTube, etc) demonstrating very poor performance out of some BCM barrel, coupled with horrific customer service. So defaulting to BCM isn’t necessarily the right thing to do.
Regarding Criterion, though I enjoy my 13.9” Core, the 14.5” is not “lightweight” by any means.