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Posted: 2/5/2008 6:46:20 PM EDT
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I did a search on this subject and didn't find anything about it other than this I was under the impression that you just assemble the upper receiver and apply the proper torque to the barrel nut and you should be good to go. Then I read about head spacing. If you build an AR15 and do a head space check and it is out of spec. How do you bring it back into spec? I am going to be getting the barrel for my A3 upper and want to make sure I build it correctly and safely. Any additional information would be helpful. Scot 
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GREAT thread. Also read the BIY thread I posted, which has comments on headspacing in the Q&A.
Correct.
Doh!
You dont. You cant. It is set by the barrel manufacturer. Which is why a barrel is good, or not - and whether you build it or buy it has ZERO impact.
Buy from a reputable manufacturer and you are good to go. Fire the first round and examine your brass. If you are really freakish, get a COLT II FIELD GAUGE and check it.
Just shoot it. It is EXTREMELY rare to ever buy a new barrel that is beyond the safety limits with regards to headspacing. |
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FALARAK, I'm looking into getting a 16" Parkerized Stainless Steel 5.56mm M4 Profile barrel with bayonet lug and A2 flash suppressor. This is the only one I could find. Is Olympic Arms a quality minded company? Are there others out there that I haven't found yet? That barrel would be $215.90 shipped with a A2 Birdcage Flash Suppressor. Scot |
Just splitting hairs - but stainless cant be parkerized. They are typically coated with something.
That is interesting - you might call them to confirm - I havent seen anyone selling a M4 barrel like that made from stainless.
Meh.... fair. They have had problems in the past. They certainly arent "top tier" but they are decent. There are a TON of barrel makers out there.... what are you wanting?
Bushmaster, RRA, CMMGinc, J&T, Model 1, Armalite, Colt, the list is endless. Personally, if I was building an M4 carbine - my first choice would be a 16" chrome lined 1:7 twist NATO chambered barrel... with a known track record, like THIS ONE: www.adcofirearms.com/acc/ProductLine_.cfm?product_category=Barrels&subcategory=5.56%20Barrels |
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I mainly wanted stainless because I hear the harmonics are better. It looks like Rock River has the chrome lined M4 barrels for $235.00 Bushmaster has the barrel only for $205.00 CMMG has one for $249.95 I don't know what I want now! Scot |
If you want a match barrel - buy a match barrel.... not a lightweight M4 carbine.
Buy the RRA or the Bushmaster - both are excellent for a fighting carbine. If you are more after a target rifle and stay 16", then the white oak match carbine barrel at ADCO will be hard to beat for the $$$. |
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This rifle probably wouldn't be used farther that 100 yards. I want one that I could toss into the trunk and go to the range. I like the M4 profile and the fact that it's light weight. I originally was going to build a HBar but after shooting my friends I couldn't emagine lugging that thing around. My AR15 so far has: JC Weaponry MEGA Lower Receiver MEGA Upper Receiver 2 Stage DoubleStar Trigger Magpul MIAD Grip Magpul Enhanced Trigger Guard 2nd Generation Anti Walking Pins Tapco 6 Position M4 Stock Bushmaster Pins, Springs, Detents, Bolt Carrier Release, Magazine Release, and Ejector Port Door I still need to add: BCM Auto Bolt Carrier Group YHM Solid Quad Rail ARMS Low Profile BUIS Gas Tube And a RRA 5.56 Chrome Lined 1:7 16" LW R4 Barrel with an A2 Flash Suppressor |
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Regardless of what other problems Oly may have, they make fine barrels. They are one of the few companies to offer SS barrels in contours other than target bull. The finish is "black oxide", not parkerized. Most other SS barrel mfgs give them to you bead blasted or bright. Oly's black oxide is a good finish that holds up as good as any. I did not choose their SS barrels for any reason other than corrosion resistance in very humid conditions. I have Oly SS barrels that have been "rode hard and put away wet" and they hold up as good as any other material. A good choice. |
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