I need a lighter weight AR Barrel

[FN USA]

I've had a Rock River Arms Elite Operator LH for years now. I love the rifle but have come to the realization that the 16" bull barrel is much too heavy. I want to switch it out for something similar thats lighter weight. Anyone have good suggestions? I'm not trying to make a featherweight rifle here or spend $300+.

 

[Sigblitz]

Pencil barrel.

 

[Sigblitz]

My favorite AR is my Bushmaster carbon. Weight sucks.

 

[bcannon]

Pencil barrel.

^^ what Sig said. Only way to get any lighter is a carbon fiber barrel and 300 will only get you half of one of those.

 

[FN USA]

Any company's you'd suggest for barrels? I currently get 1" MOA at 100 yards and would like to stay with a company that gets 1.25" or better. Pencil profile seems too light for my coyote gun

Shower thought, can I send my barrel to someone to flute it? Does anyone know a company that performs this service?

 

[bcannon]

I would go with a Faxon. I have one on a AR10 and it holds moa. I havent tried one on a small frame AR but they do get good reviews from what Ive read.

 

[bcannon]

Any company's you'd suggest for barrels? I currently get 1" MOA at 100 yards and would like to stay with a company that gets 1.25" or better. Pencil profile seems too light for my coyote gun

Shower thought, can I send my barrel to someone to flute it? Does anyone know a company that performs this service?

Zack at ZR Tactical in Noblesville. He does awesome cnc work.

 

[1775usmarine]

Bicep and tricep curls?

 

[Gabriel]

https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-standard-16-mid-length-enhanced-light-weight-barrel-stripped-625/

 

[masterdekoy]

I have one of the faxon gunner profile barrels in 14.5 length and feel it’s a great compromise for a do all rifle. Beefy where it needs to be and lightweight out front. I can’t say it shoots 1” groups but I mostly shoot bulk ammo through it, never shot match ammo for groups. It’s well gassed and I like it, would get another if I had a reason.

For another option, Criterion just released a new profile, their “Core” line. Similar tapered profile to the faxon gunner and criterion has a reputation for accuracy. Also chrome lined for durability. https://criterionbarrels.com/product-tag/criterion-core-series/

 

[jinks]

5.56 or 7.62?

For 5.56 try: https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/16-inch-556-hanson-mid-cmv-performance-barrel.html
OR [url]https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/16-inch-223-hanson-mid-ss-premium-barrel.html
[/URL]

 

[ws6duramax]

I'm a fan of Rock River stuff . I have several bull barrel setups for prairie dogs and the Advance Tactical Hunter (ATH) for coyotes . The ATH is what I call a medium contour barrel . It's stainless , so it's not exactly light , but not to bad . I like a little weight , it seems to be a little more stable for me . I've never shot their pencil barrel setups , but I would venture to say they're pretty good as well .

All of mine are shooters . As long as I keep in practice and do my part , they are pretty consistent at about .700-.800 MOA with factory rounds .

 

[indysims]

Faxon Gunner would be worth a look. It's a lighter weight profile with a good balance.

 

[Sniper 79]

Faxon or PSA would be my first shopping spots

If it's a hunting rig go pencil. I also ditched my bull 16" for a heavy profile and wish I went lighter. Sold it as well and assembled a 10" "pistol".

14" pencil gun with light weight accessories would be nice.

 

[IndianaDave]

There's a company called AR Performance that makes really high quality barrels for under $300. He melonites them so they have a long life and actually slightly higher bullet speed.

 

[Merk]

Not sure what hand guard you have currently, but there is some potential for savings there as well. A pencil or light weight profile barrel will net your the biggest gain.

 

[Tombs]

Faxon pencil or gunner profile, is exactly what you want.

 

[Usmccookie]

I was turned onto b.a. for a high end build. Initially i was looking at Christiansen and bsf. While the difference is real, for <$200 the ballistic advantage hansen break was going to out last and out shot me, or so i was told. I was told correctly. So far at least, about 5k rounds

 

[FN USA]

Thanks all, I currently have a Midwest Industries 13" keymod handguard. I love the setup, but am not a fan of the weight. For just plinking it perfect, however I set this up to be my coyote gun and 1st time out I realized I wanted to go lighter. I'm looking for a different profile barrel, I think I want to stay away from pencil as I still do go out plinking with this rifle as well. Its carrying a Primary Arms 1-6x optic so I think optic and rail would stay the same. Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I've been checking up on all the links you guys have been posting.

 

[Hohn]

Check out the new Criterion Core series. Smartest AR barrel profile around. Excellent quality and under $300.