Which barrel to get? 14.5 L or H

[bushmasterar15]

Trying to figure out which to get. I'm looking at 14.5 goverment profile (light under handguards) or 14.5 Socom (Heavy). This is going to be used for home defense, hunting, and going to take a carbine class. So what would you recommend?

[Shihan]

No reason for the heavy for what your using it for. Are you goingt o get a tax stamp or perm attach a hider to get it to 16"? It might be easier to just get a 16"

[DRich]

No real reason to go heavy for a semi-auto rifle. Stick with the light barrel. Handles much nicer, IMO.

[C4IGrant]

Light.


C4

[MX5]

Go light.

[bushmasterar15]

If I'm going to do alot of shooting at the range wouldn't the heavy profile help out due to the barrel not getting hot faster? I think the weight difference is 4oz. which is really not that much. I'll look at some lighter barrels.

[Robb Jensen]

Heavy (SOCOM weight) if you'll ever be using a suppressor, light if not.

[Cold Zero]

Another vote for light weight profile.

[Buckaroo]

Heavy (SOCOM weight) if you'll ever be using a suppressor, light if not.

Sorry but I gotta put on my beginners hat to ask; why?

[MX5]

Consider the barrel as a cantilever. The length of the barrel and/or anything hung on the end of it tends to act as a lever and the perceived weight will be greater than the actual weight. Adding a can onto a barrel that might tend to flex has the potential to cause impact shift as temperature varies. Cans tend to hold heat a long time. Depends on usage and volume of fire. Short heavy barrels in the 10.5" range can be very accurate due to the harmonics of a short, stiff barrel. Heavy barrels don't heat-up as fast, but also hold heat longer, especially if a can is mounted.