The General AR Discussion Thread

Originally Posted by Adam@Euro-Spec

In the classes you attended was anybody running stainless steel barrels or all bhf/chf? I need to pull up the weight spec differences but i wasn't sure how ss barrels held up on heavy rates of fire.

I have not seen anyone using a SS barrel. A few HF, but mostly just standard barrels. Reedo is in a better position to answer this, but I think the expected life is about 10k rounds.

ETA: this may be a good read for ya.
http://www.m4carbine.net/archive/index.php/t-44818.html

ETA2: I got a warning for violating two EE rules.

Originally Posted by Sentaruu

quick question, whats the difference between the BCM standard barrel, and their BFH barrel. i know that the BFH is cold hammer forged, but how does that make it different performance and durability wise in comparison to the standard?

The metal is a lot harder and more resistant to heat and wear. As Serbonze pointed out, it will last a lot longer than normal cut barrels. Average carbine barrels are good for 10-15k rounds, but CHF (BFH) barrels are good for 40-50k rounds. It's basically a high-service barrel and given that they're only $100 more in most cases, it's by far a better option than a conventional chromoly barrel. If you plan to shoot a lot of XM193/855 ammunition that is much higher pressure, it's a good idea to run CHF since those loads will burn out other barrels faster. They don't seem to do that with CHF barrels.
One caveat is that SBR barrels do not last as long carbine length barrels, so your service life for a 11.5" won't match that of a 16".

Originally Posted by Adam@Euro-Spec

In the classes you attended was anybody running stainless steel barrels or all bhf/chf? I need to pull up the weight spec differences but i wasn't sure how ss barrels held up on heavy rates of fire.

SS barrels will have about 10k before they degrade to the point where they need to be replaced. This is dependent upon ammunition and service load (how much you shoot and how quickly you shoot it). SS barrels are exceptionally accurate, and usually will shoot sub-MOA with quality ammo. The pros is heavier, more rigid barrel with more accuracy. The cons are lower round count barrel life and higher weight.
If I were to be building a fighting carbine in 5.56, I'd use a CHF barrel. If it's a precision 5.56, it's a SS barrel.

I've never seen anyone running one in the classes I've taken; at least to my knowledge. However, that's not saying much since BCM has basically dominated the classes I've been at. The most recent one was actually dominated by Huldra Arms, but that's because half the class were Huldra employees.

Thanks, that's what I figured, I'll leave my 16" noveske barrel alone then. Leaning towards a bcm bhf upper with possibly a kac urx3 rail as my next build.

Putting together another AR. Using a spiked lower, and a spiked 14.5" spikes upper with a 1.5" compensator pinned and welded.

Originally Posted by GasKing

Putting together another AR. Using a spiked lower, and a spiked 14.5" spikes upper with a 1.5" compensator pinned and welded.

What made you decide to go with a 14.5" barrel?

How's Winchester 5.56 q3131? Anybody run it? Picking up 800 for $250 today from my buddy again, cheapest I can find it online is $10 a box, figured it should be good for plinking or a class.

Anyone got any connections/leads to a DD or Noveske MK18 upper in FDE?

@adam: do you run/is there any special buffer and spring for the pistol or would the standard carbine and buffer be fine?

Originally Posted by GasKing

Putting together another AR. Using a spiked lower, and a spiked 14.5" spikes upper with a 1.5" compensator pinned and welded.

Why are you wanting a 14.5" pinned barrel in lieu of a 16"?

Originally Posted by Adam@Euro-Spec

How's Winchester 5.56 q3131? Anybody run it? Picking up 800 for $250 today from my buddy again, cheapest I can find it online is $10 a box, figured it should be good for plinking or a class.

Generally speaking, pretty dirty and inconsistent. Also very inaccurate. The Q3131 is US made, but check to make sure it's not the Q3131A stuff made overseas (Israel for that stuff). The Q3131A is junk. A lot of negative posts on it over on Lightfighter. Not too many people saying anything good about Q3131 either. My own experience with Q3131 has been okay for just general range use, but it's definitely a step down from Federal XM193. I would never run it in a class, but wouldn't have an issue running it on the range on my own.

Originally Posted by 04_e46

Anyone got any connections/leads to a DD or Noveske MK18 upper in FDE?

Rainier Arms has the DD Mk18 FDE upper in stock.
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=sho...roduct_id=2593

Noveske should have their Mk18 in stock, as per their website. Rainier Arms can also order it, as they're the chief distributor for Noveske; though getting it direct from Noveske is pretty easy also.
http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin...status=&title=

There really is no difference between the two setups, except that one barrel is made in-house by Daniel Defense and one is made by FN (to Noveske's specifications).
Both come with a milspec BCG and charging handle.

Originally Posted by 04_e46

@adam: do you run/is there any special buffer and spring for the pistol or would the standard carbine and buffer be fine?

Running a carbine gas system with a 10.3/10.5" barrel will require more buffering or spring weight to reduce bolt speed. Look at an H2 buffer with either a Blue or Red spring by Sprinco.

Originally Posted by Serbonze

What made you decide to go with a 14.5" barrel?

I live in an ban state so I cannot have an threaded barrel, and to get a 16" upper for the most part I would have to buy the upper, have a compensator pinned and welded which around here add's over a $100 to the cost of it. With this upper all I have to do is chop the bay lug off and re-blue it (10 minutes of my life) so it was just easier and cheaper going this route. Plus it looks so badass and its closest to the sbr look we can get around here.

Originally Posted by Reedo302

Generally speaking, pretty dirty and inconsistent. Also very inaccurate. The Q3131 is US made, but check to make sure it's not the Q3131A stuff made overseas (Israel for that stuff). The Q3131A is junk. A lot of negative posts on it over on Lightfighter. Not too many people saying anything good about Q3131 either. My own experience with Q3131 has been okay for just general range use, but it's definitely a step down from Federal XM193. I would never run it in a class, but wouldn't have an issue running it on the range on my own.



Rainier Arms has the DD Mk18 FDE upper in stock.
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=sho...roduct_id=2593

Noveske should have their Mk18 in stock, as per their website. Rainier Arms can also order it, as they're the chief distributor for Noveske; though getting it direct from Noveske is pretty easy also.
http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin...status=&title=

There really is no difference between the two setups, except that one barrel is made in-house by Daniel Defense and one is made by FN (to Noveske's specifications).
Both come with a milspec BCG and charging handle.


Running a carbine gas system with a 10.3/10.5" barrel will require more buffering or spring weight to reduce bolt speed. Look at an H2 buffer with either a Blue or Red spring by Sprinco.

Thanks I'll just plow through it for range use then and save my xm193 for a class.

G&r tactical also had dd mk18 in stock last time i checked. Gun gallery in Jacksonville was about $100+ cheaper then anybody else i could find for a complete dd mk18 rifle so might want to give them a call too.

I just got in a red, blue, white springco spring and h,h2, t2 t1 and t3 buffer in so I'll report back when i get to the range what set up i stuck with.

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Originally Posted by GasKing

I live in an ban state so I cannot have an threaded barrel, and to get a 16" upper for the most part I would have to buy the upper, have a compensator pinned and welded which around here add's over a $100 to the cost of it. With this upper all I have to do is chop the bay lug off and re-blue it (10 minutes of my life) so it was just easier and cheaper going this route. Plus it looks so badass and its closest to the sbr look we can get around here.

Man, that sucks. So many states I would absolutely hate to live in... wow.

I've never understood why people in a ban state don't just buy a pre-ban rifle and outfit it how they want it...

Originally Posted by david05111

I've never understood why people in a ban state don't just buy a pre-ban rifle and outfit it how they want it...

I have many pre bans, but your paying a massive premium to have a telescoping stock, a bayo lug, and a threaded barrel. The way I have my spikes setup, it would cost twice as much for a couple un-necessary features.

Plus with prebans you dont get the badass lowers that are out today, plus this is my first non franken ar, as in matching lower and upper which i couldnt of done with a pre ban (atleast in this setup)

Originally Posted by Reedo302

Man, that sucks. So many states I would absolutely hate to live in... wow.

Dont even get me started, its the peoples republic of new yorkistan

Originally Posted by GasKing

I live in an ban state so I cannot have an threaded barrel

Originally Posted by Serbonze

It womps, but what it really makes a little differnce, we still can have High cap mags as long as they are preban. I pin my stock to the length I want it, I cant have a bayonet (dont care) the only thing I wish we could have is a flash suppresor and a thread barrel. I have prebans for my evil features.

Was looking for a multi tool and came across these...seems very expensive for an AR multitool, but a cool idea.

http://www.weaponoutfitters.com/mult...multitool.html

Anybody know who manufacturers bcms bcg? There's a friendly debate going on in my local forum about bcm vs wmd/spikes nib bcg

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Please tell me that your screen name is IHasCrabs?! If so, that's fucking hilarious!!!