Replacement barrels for AR

March 01, 2018, 10:28 AM

Hey all-

Who do we like for inexpensive replacement barrels for the AR. I'm thinking of "minute of man", training level accurate barrels for not a lot of money.
Good quality control would be a primary concern because I would like to buy a few for replacement and future builds so any QC issues might not be identified for years, when they get pulled out and used.

Any favorites? AR-Stoner was a first thought but they seem to be iffy, QC-wise.

Bruce

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March 01, 2018, 02:30 PM

IndianaBoy

I have used several of the 1-7 4150 CMV Nitride barrels from Palmetto State Armory.

They were good enough for the money that I have several of them stashed in the back of the safe now for barrel replacement for several rifles.

Edited to add:

They are out of stock at the moment.

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March 01, 2018, 03:33 PM

Jelly

Like the Green Mountain Barrels. Darn good barrels for the price point. Plus they have been making barrels for many years so they are not new to the game.

http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/a...16-m4-rifle-barrels/

If you want to spend a more Criterion makes some real nice barrels.

March 01, 2018, 03:38 PM

lkdr1989

This is a $99.99 barrel (specs below) from RTB, I think it's a Ballistic Advantage barrel because RTB specs for it are identical to the BA barrel.

Length - 16"
Material - 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium
Profile - Goverment
Finish - QPQ Corrosion Resistant
Gas System Length - Mid
Gas Block Journal - .750″ Gas Block Journal
Twist Rate - 1/7 Twist
Muzzle - 1/2x28 Threaded
Weight - 28oz

https://www.righttobear.com/Ri...rel-p/rtb55616gm.htm

https://www.righttobear.com/Ba...56-p/babl556015m.htm

...let him who has no sword sell his robe and buy one. Luke 22:35-36 NAV

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March 02, 2018, 11:09 PM

Rinehart

I'm with Tompow-

Bear Creek Arsenal has given me some very good deals and made nice quality products.

(They also quickly fixed a small problem I had on a BCG and sent me a new one out proto).

March 04, 2018, 06:43 AM

fritz

quote:
Originally posted by RNshooter:
I'm thinking of "minute of man", training level accurate barrels for not a lot of money.
I would like to buy a few for replacement and future builds so any QC issues might not be identified for years

I don't see the need to stock up on extra training-quality barrels. They are fairly generic, relatively inexpensive, and pretty easy to find. Given your accuracy demands, acceptable barrel life will likely be in the 10,000 to 15,000 rounds ballpark. You'll have plenty of time between shooting out barrels to find your next one.

March 04, 2018, 07:48 AM

PGT

KAK or Ballistic Advantage are my "go to" choices. You can get a basic BA 16" barrel for $105 or so delivered when they're run on sale. They're accurate at that price, too.

March 04, 2018, 10:48 AM

soggy_spinout

I used a BA barrel for the first time on a recent build and was pleased with how it performed. Great value that is nothing to be ashamed about; it shows to me that most if no all of the 'name' brands don't have anything significantly superior over the better players at the low-cost end of the market.

Since Aero Precision and Ballistic Advantage are siblings these days, we can get decent pricing through Aero which makes it all the better, even after my boss insists on a markup for employees