Question 18” AR barrel to 16”

[1911man]

[floogy]

Not an expert, but I believe due to barrel length and the dwell time required to cycle a rifle gas system 16" is a bit short to be reliable. Hence carbine and mid length gas ports. I'd also guess that for the price, a new barrel would be about the same price or cheaper than cutting, crowning and threading.

Depends on the price of the barrel. A decent AR barrel can be had for $150 or less while a very good one for around $300. I don't know if you've priced the cost of the work.

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[deckhandmike]

[hermosabeach]

Why?

What do you gain chopping off 2"?

[k1dude]

Maybe AR15barrels will pop in here and comment. IIRC with a rifle system, he said 17" is the best short length, not 16". But I don't know how that would change if you re-drilled the port.

[1911man]

[Old Flash]

Sounds like doing so would make it similar to a Dissipator setup. I would open up the gas port to 0.100 - 0.110". One advantage is it will be a softer shooting rifle. A possible disadvantage is that commercial ammo might not work too well (weak).
FWIW, I have a Delton dissipator with rifle buffer and stock and it works well with all ammo I've used and never had a malfunction.

[B.J.F.]

Just get a new barrel with the features you want. It will be cheaper and faster.

Why customize a barrel that’s worth x, then pay for services that will likely out price the barrel by at least double.

Then the barrel will have to be refinished because of bare metal which will add to the cost

[ARDude]

I have a DelTon 16" barrel with rifle length gas system that has ran flawlessly.

It does have a slightly enlarged gas port from the factory.

[ar15barrels]

The dwell gets so short that the barrel will be picky as to which load it will run.
You need to an adjustable gas block for sure and you need to avoid PMC bronze as well as any foreign steel case ammo.
If you stick to good milspec 5.56, especially in 62gr and 77gr, then a rifle gassed 16" barrel can run fine.

[ar15barrels]

I'd also guess that for the price, a new barrel would be about the same price or cheaper than cutting, crowning and threading.

Depends on the price of the barrel.
A decent AR barrel can be had for $150 or less while a very good one for around $300.
I don't know if you've priced the cost of the work.

I charge $75 to shorten and thread an AR barrel.

[golfish]

I charge $75 to shorten and thread an AR barrel.

That's a darn good price..


OP, do you think you might be better off buying another barrel?