Barrel Delima

[Texas Boy]

I've been slowly collecting parts for a new upper - VLTOR upper, Laure 9" handguard, BCM BCG, etc.

Today I found a Wilson 16" fluted barrel at a reasonable price, but it has a carbine gas system and standard feed ramps. The VLTOR upper has M4 ramp cuts, so I will require M4 ramps on my barrel.

Is it possible/practical to cut M4 ramps into this barrel? Would it be easier to just change the barrel extension? BTW - I have done a reasonable amount of machining work in the past and wouldn't be too afraid to attempt this myself (my guess is some very careful file work would do the trick).

The other option is to just wait until all this craziness stops and I can actual purchase a 16" barrel with a mid length gas system and M4 ramps. I've been looking since way before the election with no joy....Oh well, I do have another upper to shoot while I wait.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks,
Mark

[heycorey]

The only time feed ramps really come into play is with full-auto; which I'm assuming isn't an available option here. You can use the barrel as is.

[ke6guj]

You can use the barrel as is.

But won't the fact that the upper has M4 feed ramp cuts and the barrel doesn't cause there to be a nice "wall" in the feed ramp that would bugger up the front of the bullets.

I've heard that;
M4 upper and M4 barrel, OK
Std upper and Std barrel, OK
Std upper and M4 barrel, Not perfect but won't normally affect anything.
M4 upper and Std barrel, step in the ramp, Not OK.

edit:
pic of the problem. stealing some of Randall's bandwidth, but hey, PM him and he can probably fix you up/

[Texas Boy]

If the upper was cut for M4 feed ramps and the barrel was not you have a small pocket/lip between the upper and the barrel which can snag a bullet - no good. I agree that M4 ramps don't matter much for semi auto shooting, but you do have to watch the combination of upper and barrel:

standard barrel and standard upper - Good
M4 barrel and M4 upper - Good
M4 barrel and standard upper - OK
standard barrel and M4 upper - BAD.

[edit: looks like Jack beat me to the reply]

[heycorey]

Gotcha ... I think you should be able to file some reliefs in the extension sufficient to alleviate the problem.

[aplinker]

You can have the feed ramps fixed (but the $ might push the barrel cost to not making sense), but you can't fix the carbine gas issue.

Have you thought about this:

http://global-tactical.com/16inchmidlengthreconbarrel556mminstock.aspx

[Texas Boy]

Interesting option....I wonder who makes the barrel? It says GTS/Denny's Guns - but I'm sure someone else makes them.

Any idea if this is a quality barrel?

The Wilson barrel I have is very nice, fluted, pinned FSB (which I can cut down to make a pinned low profile gas block), but it is carbine length and no M4 ramps. As you point out, I can fix the M4 ramps, but not the gas length.

[aplinker]

Interesting option....I wonder who makes the barrel? It says GTS/Denny's Guns - but I'm sure someone else makes them.

Any idea if this is a quality barrel?

The Wilson barrel I have is very nice, fluted, pinned FSB (which I can cut down to make a pinned low profile gas block), but it is carbine length and no M4 ramps. As you point out, I can fix the M4 ramps, but not the gas length.

Keep in mind the barrel comes with a bolt ($50-60 value).

Ask Randall what he thinks. Denny's stuff has a good reputation. I'm sure he's handled some of them.

It's a good design and a good value - in stock - is why I suggested it.

[ar15barrels]

Interesting option....I wonder who makes the barrel? It says GTS/Denny's Guns - but I'm sure someone else makes them.

Denny has the barrels made for him.
Rock button rifled blanks.
I think they are profiled/chambered by Compass Lake.
Good barrels.

Get rid of that carbine barrel.

I have a 16" mid-length 1:7 twist chrome lined 5.56 chamber barrel on the shelf as well.

[gemini1]

Are there 16" mid length gas system in 1:9 twist lightweight barrels? Most I see are heavy barrels.

[aplinker]

Are there 16" mid length gas system in 1:9 twist lightweight barrels? Most I see are heavy barrels.

http://rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=272

[Texas Boy]

Thanks Randall. I sent you an email about the barrel you have on the shelf...

-Mark

[ar15barrels]

Thanks Randall. I sent you an email about the barrel you have on the shelf...

-Mark

Email is a black hole.
Send a PM.

[Texas Boy]

Thanks everyone. I wound up getting rid of the carbine barrel and ordering a 16" mid length w/ M4 ramps from Randall.

Cheers,
Mark