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8/21/2008 9:06:24 PM EDT
I need any info you guys can give me on Saco Defense Corp.. I might be getting a 20" Saco "Pencil Barrel" for a trade and i would like any info you have on their barrels.
8/22/2008 2:52:39 AM EDT
[#1]
What info do you need? They're standard M16A1 barrels, fuilly chrome lined, built on a govt. contract as replacements for M16 and M16A1s. They were never used in new production, only on rebuiilds.

They're neither better nor worse than any of the other Colt and FN (also a replacement barrel contract) barrels.
8/22/2008 4:40:07 AM EDT
[#2]
As above stated.  Saco is a part of General Dynamics.  I have one on a M16A1 upper and the fit and quality is the same as any Colt from the same era.
Some have found the Saco to be more accurate.............I can't say one way or the other.
8/22/2008 7:16:59 AM EDT
[#3]

Quoted:
I need any info you guys can give me on Saco Defense Corp.. I might be getting a 20" Saco "Pencil Barrel" for a trade and i would like any info you have on their barrels.


Would you please tell me how your Saco bbl is marked? I have what I think is a Saco 20" GI bbl markerd with an "s", however only the chamber is chrome plated. Thanks.
8/22/2008 8:34:55 AM EDT
[#4]
SAK MP CHROME BORE

Older ones were marked as

SAK MP B
8/22/2008 8:44:38 AM EDT
[#5]
I have a SACO barrel on one of my ARs and it is a real tack-driver......so I bought two more!  You will like it.
8/22/2008 9:30:10 AM EDT
[#6]

Quoted:
SAK MP CHROME BORE

Older ones were marked as

SAK MP B


Thanks. I guess I'm still not sure what mine is then. It's marked S MP C.
8/22/2008 11:04:12 AM EDT
[#7]
hrmmmmmmmmm
8/24/2008 4:36:43 AM EDT
[#8]

Quoted:

Would you please tell me how your Saco bbl is marked? I have what I think is a Saco 20" GI bbl markerd with an "s", however only the chamber is chrome plated. Thanks.


I seriously doubt that any Saco barrel has only the chamber chromed. By the time they got a contract make the barrels, the fully chromed bore/chamber had already been adopted.

Just because C MP C on a Colt barrel means chamber only lining doesn't mean that it means the same on anyone elses. But I freely admit that I don't know any darn thing about the contract barrels, markings etc. I just insist on Colt stuff on my retros.
8/24/2008 5:32:28 AM EDT
[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Would you please tell me how your Saco bbl is marked? I have what I think is a Saco 20" GI bbl markerd with an "s", however only the chamber is chrome plated. Thanks.


I seriously doubt that any Saco barrel has only the chamber chromed. By the time they got a contract make the barrels, the fully chromed bore/chamber had already been adopted.

Just because C MP C on a Colt barrel means chamber only lining doesn't mean that it means the same on anyone elses. But I freely admit that I don't know any darn thing about the contract barrels, markings etc. I just insist on Colt stuff on my retros.


Not saying one way or the other about what the SAK contract was because I do not know, but just ponder page 3-35 from TM 9-1005-249-23&P dated 1991.
"The following is the way to identify chromed barrels from unchromed barrels.  Stampings on the barrel approximately one inch rearward from the flash suppressor are as follows:
(a) (SAK MP C) SAK is the manufacturer's stamp, MP indicates magnetic partical inspection, C indicates chrome chamber only, or (C MP C)= Colt manufacturer, MP= magnetic particle inspection, and C= chrome chamber only."

As this is found in the book on rebuilding the M16/M16A1, it would seem to indicate that the Saco contract did call for both types of barrels.

8/24/2008 8:08:19 PM EDT
[#10]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Would you please tell me how your Saco bbl is marked? I have what I think is a Saco 20" GI bbl markerd with an "s", however only the chamber is chrome plated. Thanks.


I seriously doubt that any Saco barrel has only the chamber chromed. By the time they got a contract make the barrels, the fully chromed bore/chamber had already been adopted.

Just because C MP C on a Colt barrel means chamber only lining doesn't mean that it means the same on anyone elses. But I freely admit that I don't know any darn thing about the contract barrels, markings etc. I just insist on Colt stuff on my retros.


On this one the chamber is defintely chromed and the bore is not. The barrel actually looks unfired. I can detect no evidence of wear on the lugs or in the barrel extension. Same with the barrel nut. Other than "shelf" wear, it looks like it was never intalled.
I'm not saying it is a Saco barrel, just thought it could be. I just know that it's marked with an S (in addition to the MP and C) aft of the flashider threads and don't know whose mark that is.
8/25/2008 2:47:50 AM EDT
[#11]

Quoted:


On this one the chamber is defintely chromed and the bore is not. The barrel actually looks unfired. I can detect no evidence of wear on the lugs or in the barrel extension. Same with the barrel nut. Other than "shelf" wear, it looks like it was never intalled.
I'm not saying it is a Saco barrel, just thought it could be. I just know that it's marked with an S (in addition to the MP and C) aft of the flashider threads and don't know whose mark that is.


Suggest you post over on the Retro section about a barrel marked S, w/only a chrome chamber. Some of the guys over there know more about the early stuff than I do.
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