Barrel brands...who to choose?

[skyscraper]

I have a few AR's that I bought complete, but now Im making my own out of 80% and buying the parts to put them together. I see there are a lot of Barrels that I haven't heard of. What are some brands you guys like to use that are affordable? Im looking for a 5.56/.223 in pistol size(10") and rifle size, and also a 300 blackout in pistol length. Thanks!

PS- Im not looking for anything super accurate, just range guns and home defense.

[highpower790]

For a good quality affordable rifle barrel I would go with anything(Wilson ) from White Oak.If a higher quality rifle barrel is needed I choose a Krieger from Compass Lake Eng.

[Mossy Man]

For an affordable barrel for a first build, I got the 16" barrel very low priced and am so far happy with it. Not a tac driver but it is reliable so far and shipping was fast. I chose it because it was inexpensive and if i screwed it up, i wouldn't be too upset.

$69.99
16" M4 Carbine Barrel 1/9 Melonite
http://www.radicalfirearms.com/16-M4-1-9-Twist-Barrel-p/16m4-1-9.htm

$69.99
10.5" Pistol Barrel
http://www.radicalfirearms.com/product-p/105m4-1-7barrel.htm

[Junkie]

+1 on Radical Firearms. Faxon Firearms does some nice ones too, although a little more.

I wish I'd gotten in on a Radical Firearms 7.62x39 upper when they were dirt cheap...

[Mossy Man]

+1 on Radical Firearms. Faxon Firearms does some nice ones too, although a little more.

I wish I'd gotten in on a Radical Firearms 7.62x39 upper when they were dirt cheap...

only $69.99 bro

http://www.radicalfirearms.com/product-p/16-76239.htm

[skyscraper]

Radical is one of the companies I came across on primary arms. They have good prices, was just hoping they also had good feedback which looks to be true.

[Wes C Addle]

what's your budget?

[Junkie]

only $69.99 bro

http://www.radicalfirearms.com/product-p/16-76239.htmThey had complete uppers for $300ish I think, I'd rather have that. If AIM would sell <16" barrels to CA I'd buy a Faxon there but they won't. I'd also like a decent BCG to go with it (although I have some spare carriers).

[Mossy Man]

$259
http://www.radicalfirearms.com/product-p/rfupper16-7.62x39hbar-10fgs.htm

Add the 7.62x39 bcg only $109.99

those prices are pretty good, although a tiny bit more than $300

yes, i am trying to convince you to spend money.

[Gilcontr]

Doesn't Brownells sell that size to us? Cheapest price on faxons I could find. I bought a 16" 7.62x39 barrel. Looks nice. I got turned on to green mountain barrel after buying a mid-length nitrided barrel from ice arms (gm made it for them. Just an awesome barrel. I ended up buying another for the wife's build directly from gm (chrome lined). Now her rifle has a 223 wylde nitride barrel that I got from fat boy tactical. Not as nice as the others but it is light and was cheap! Haven't shot with it yet. I guess we'll see what happens this weekend...

Disclaimer; I'm not really that good a shot lol

[sirgrumps]

If memory serves, something like 80-90 of the barrels are made by 3-4 companies. The barrel makers cut tubes as spec'ed by the private label.

The high end stuff is made by the specialty firms, low volume, high quality, precise cutting.

Just buy something based on your budget and spec's you're looking for.

most of the time, the barrel can shoot better than us.

[Junkie]

Doesn't Brownells sell that size to us? Cheapest price on faxons I could find. I bought a 16" 7.62x39 barrel. Looks nice. I got turned on to green mountain barrel after buying a mid-length nitrided barrel from ice arms (gm made it for them. Just an awesome barrel. I ended up buying another for the wife's build directly from gm (chrome lined). Now her rifle has a 223 wylde nitride barrel that I got from fat boy tactical. Not as nice as the others but it is light and was cheap! Haven't shot with it yet. I guess we'll see what happens this weekend...

Disclaimer; I'm not really that good a shot lolThere's nothing illegal about selling <16" AR barrels to CA, AIM just doesn't like us. Partly because of that I don't shop there.

[SFCRangerDoc]

It appears from radical firearms website that their barrels are machined from ER Shaw barrel blanks...and from what I understand ER Shaw is top notch stuff. As long as their machining is good there shouldn't be a problem with the steel.

[skyscraper]

what's your budget?
I'd like to stay under 150 per barrel

[skyscraper]

I just ordered a 10.5" radical barrel and added the adjustable gas block and tube... came out to 118 shipped.

[Mossy Man]

RF had complete upper receivers for $49.99 too

[Alpineshooter]

I've had success with Mas Defense
http://www.shop.masdefense.com/556-NATO-223_c8.htm

[skyscraper]

RF had complete upper receivers for $49.99 too
That's a good deal, I just picked up 2 Anderson uppers for 79.99 with free shipping from primary arms.

[Flux Capacitor]

BHW

[JustHitIt]

When I started out, all I need was the budget barrels, but as time passes, it will never full fill the craving desire of accuracy. Why not just save some money and buy once, cry once... Get a Noveske, LaRue, Bison Armory....every penny spent, is well spent.

[FaxonFirearms]

+1 on Radical Firearms. Faxon Firearms does some nice ones too, although a little more.


Flattered to be mentioned.

Sounds like we may be able to help. We're here to support you guys anytime.

[nate76239]

You did mention rifle size, Primary Arms has a 20" high standard barrel for $94.99
https://www.primaryarms.com/High_Standard_20_4150_Chrome_Lined_5_56mm_Barrel_p/hsar-b-63034-1.htm?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_content=SLOT_15&utm_campaign=15-08-Ad3_Upgrade_Your_Gun&_bta_tid=3.cFU.CDhB6A.EiCl.ArW03Q..A3eaJg.b..l.BSt r.a.VczRmg.VczdOw.DK6OGg

[skyscraper]

Flattered to be mentioned.

Sounds like we may be able to help. We're here to support you guys anytime.
Awesome I'll check you guys out. Still looking for a 14.5 or 16 inch 556/223 barrel

[AR47556]

Ballistic Advantage makes great barrels that are affordable

[Dezrat]

Just thought I'd mention that there have been numerous reports of Barrel Extensions on Radical Barrels improperly mounted and coming loose after very few rounds. I'm not speaking from personal experience but have seen dozens of reports of this on other boards. Haven't heard any such reports about Faxon though, which are also very competitively priced.

[Mossy Man]

Just thought I'd mention that there have been numerous reports of Barrel Extensions on Radical Barrels improperly mounted and coming loose after very few rounds. I'm not speaking from personal experience but have seen dozens of reports of this on other boards. Haven't heard any such reports about Faxon though, which are also very competitively priced.

From what I understand it was on earlier production barrels. I was a combination of the meloniting process and them not retorqueing the extension afterwards, and people using upper receiver vise blocks to remove muzzle devices instead of vising the barrel or reaction rod.

I think they fixed the issue, though. mine has been okay so far, but then again i've vised my barrel to index my muzzle device.

[Jet Setter]

+1 for Faxon barrels. They are built very well.

[Click Boom]

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/21404/s/psa-16-chf-mid-length-5-56-nato-1-7-ultra-light-weight-barrel/category/325/

[Click Boom]

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/10141/category/325/

[REDdawn6]

You will save money in tools by just buying complete uppers. Save for one at a time.

[skyblue]

Ballistic Advantage makes great barrels that are affordable

+1 for BA! I just purchased one of their barrels for a Mk12 build. It had the exact specs I needed and had some pretty good reviews, so I sprung for it when it went on sale PLUS a 10% discount. Customer service was quick to respond to emails and the build quality seems to be excellent. I can't wait to take her out to shoot!

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

[FaxonFirearms]

From what I understand it was on earlier production barrels. I was a combination of the meloniting process and them not retorqueing the extension afterwards, and people using upper receiver vise blocks to remove muzzle devices instead of vising the barrel or reaction rod.



We do not QPQ our barrels with the extension attached for that reason. When going through the process, it removes a huge amount of torque from the extension.

Our extensions are treated separately.

[Junkie]

I don't have any experience with Faxon barrels (yet) but I know the Ballistic Advantage barrels use nitrided barrels and NiB extensions, so clearly they are torqued after treatment as well. Not sure why they use different processes.