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Posted: 2/15/2005 2:52:42 PM EDT
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I haven't found this discussed in the threads I' ve searched so bear with me.... Why would I purchase an AR with an M4 style barrel vs the "regular" looking barrels without the cut out on it? I'm not planning on hooking up a gernade launcher etc. and being "old school" I find the M4 barrel looks like somebody went off the deep end when machining the barrel. have Thanks for any input. |
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For civillian use, it's pretty much just your personal choice. One reason I like the M4 profile barrels is that they weigh less than an HBAR, while still being big enough to really radiate the heat when you "rapid fire". You know.... Like bump fire 6 or 7 30 round mags inside of 3 minutes... 
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| They're a little lighter than an HBAR barrel, though there are some pencil barrells that would be lighter. Most m4 barrels are only 14.5 with a flash suppressor to make them legal, so most HBAR 16" barrels will fire at a higher velocity because of the extra rifling, which extends the range at which the ammunition will fragment |
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Yep. The reason is purely personal taste. The M4 contour has uses other than being able to sling a grenade launcher from it. It is lighter, and will come up to operating temperature after fewer rounds, so it will be more consistent earlier in a shooting session-unless you slow way down, because it will cool faster too. Really, if you like the looks and can afford the M4 profile barrel, get one. If you'd rather have a bull barrel, more power to you. |
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The M4 barrel can be had in 16" lengths, and IMHO, 16" is the only way to go. As others have said, the M4 contour is lighter, but understand that comes from the skinny portion under the handguards that you can't see in most pictures. While the weight savings on paper may seem small, it is the location of the weight savings that makes the difference. Its less weight hanging out there in front while standing. It is less weight to start moving while starting snap shots. Its less momentum out front to bring to a stop when making those same snap shots. It can also be seen when you try one then another at a gunshow. Tex78 |
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I have the "pencil" type barrel and I bought a Colt bayonet just for kicks. I THINK the diameter of the M4 barrel is larger than the pencil barrel. What that means to a bayo is that the bayo ring that slips over the muzzle to hold it secure will fit more snug on an M4. On my pencil barrel, it has so much room to move due to the smaller barrel diameter that it sort of bangs around on the barrel loose at the top. I don't have an M4 to compare it to...but I think this to be the case. This is a pretty insignificant thing however. |
| I have spent a fair amount of time with both. I currently have the "M4" profile - only because I didn't have a choice of barrels . If you are not going to mount a grenade launcher, I would suggest you consider the pros and cons of barrel profile. Sniper and long range competition barrels are generally as fat as they can reasonably be. This make them stiffer (i.e. more accurate and slower to heat up--again, more accurate). Also, the heavier the total package is, the less you perceive the recoil -- again helping accuracy. So the choice for you (if looks is not your top priority) is the minimal lighter weight of an "M4" barrel and sexy Navy Seals looks vs. the significant advantages of a heavier barrel. To me, the heavier barrel would be the choice if I could make such a decision. |
The HBAR (what you refer to as "regular") feels heavy as hell to me with little redeeming value unless you own a machinegun, IMO. I had one, and gladly ditched it for the military profile/weight. It is so much more pleasant to shoot as I prefer offhand standing/kneeling/sitting/prone shooting to bench. If you shoot this way you will aprreciate the M4 barrel. The difference in profile(and hence weight-saving) is especially evident under the handguards if it is a true M4 profile. Beware the "fake" M4 profile that has the cut in the forward part of the barrel, but is an HBAR under tha handuard. |
Light barrel would be better if you had to carry it a 10 or so miles. 
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