Dirty Bird Brand AR-15 PartsAR Parts and Accesories, AR-15, AR-15 Barrels
How to Choose the Right AR-15 Barrel for Your Next Build
Oct
Table of Contents
AR-15 barrels are the heart of your rifle, playing a crucial role in accuracy, reliability, and overall performance. If you’re new to ARs, and you want to keep it simple, the barrel is where the “explosion” occurs, where the bullet gains its spin and velocity, and ultimately, what determines the rifle’s capabilities.
When we’re looking to build a new AR, the very first thought we have centers around the barrel it will have. When selecting an AR-15 barrel, the first and most crucial step is to identify its primary purpose. Are you building this rifle for recreational shooting, participating in rifle classes, or are you aiming for precision shooting at distances up to 1,000 yards? Or, is this an AR you want to defend your family and your home. These questions are important to ask yourself, as your intended use will guide you toward the right AR-15 barrel specifications.
Starting with 5.56 or .223 Wylde AR-15 Barrels for New Builders
Right off the bat, if you’re new to building AR-15s, we think it is wise to stick with 5.56 or .223 Wylde chambered AR-15 barrels. These calibers are popular and compatible with a broad range of parts, making them an excellent choice for first-time builders. The long history of these specifications ensures a wide selection of interchangeable components, which can save you a lot of hassle during your build.
While both 5.56 NATO and .223 Wylde AR-15 barrels can safely fire .223 Remington ammunition, they have some key differences. 5.56 NATO chambered barrels have slightly looser tolerances, prioritizing reliability in adverse conditions, making them ideal for combat or duty-oriented builds. On the other hand, .223 Wylde barrels offer a balance between the pressure handling of 5.56 NATO and the accuracy potential of .223 Remington, making them excellent for target shooting or competition builds.
Invest in Quality Tools for AR-15 Barrel Installation
Before we go any further and you start shopping for barrels, we want to stress to you how important it is that you install your new barrel correctly. This means you’ll need the tools and the knowhow to do so. For starters, that would mean that you invest in quality tools from the start. Proper tools like punches, roll pin starter punches, reaction rods for barrel installation, and headspace gauges are essential. A good toolset enables you to install your AR-15 barrel correctly and avoid common pitfalls, such as using improper tools or not torquing the barrel correctly. While these tools may be a one-time purchase, they will make the assembly process smoother and prevent issues down the road. If you’re going to be installing a barrel for the first time, make sure you’re informed on how to properly build your upper.
Match Your Barrel and Bolt
When choosing an AR-15 barrel, it’s advisable to buy a matching bolt from the same manufacturer if possible. While this is not always possible, this increases the likelihood of compatibility and ensures that the components will work together seamlessly, giving you a more reliable build. This is why we absolutely love combos like the Rosco Sauce pack. Matching the AR-15 barrel and bolt is crucial for proper headspace, which is the distance between the face of the closed bolt and the point in the chamber that stops the forward motion of the cartridge. Correct headspace is essential for safe and reliable function, affecting both accuracy and extraction reliability.
What to Look for in a Quality Barrel
After determining the purpose of your rifle and ensuring that you have the tools and the know-how to out together an AR upper, it’s then time to consider the qualities that make a good AR-15 barrel. Here are some key factors you’d be wise to keep in mind:
Rifling Quality: The barrel’s rifling should be smooth, free of burrs, and debris. Proper rifling is essential for accuracy and the overall function of the rifle. The quality of rifling affects the bullet’s stability in flight and the consistency of the spin imparted to the bullet, which directly impacts accuracy.
Chamber Finish: A well-finished chamber is crucial for reliable function. Roughness or buildup in the chamber can lead to extraction issues and compromise performance. A smooth chamber finish ensures consistent cartridge seating and reliable extraction, contributing to the overall reliability of the barrel.
Barrel Crown: Inspect the crown (muzzle end) of the barrel to ensure it is smooth. A damaged or rough crown can affect bullet trajectory and accuracy. The crown is the last point of contact between the bullet and the barrel, and any imperfections here can cause the bullet to yaw as it exits the barrel, severely impacting accuracy.
Stress Relief: Quality barrels undergo stress relief processes to reduce internal stresses within the metal, which helps maintain accuracy over time. Stress relief prevents the AR-15 barrel from warping or shifting point of impact as it heats up during use, ensuring consistent accuracy across strings of fire.
Combat vs. Match Grade Barrels
As we mentioned earlier, the best AR-15 barrel depends on your intended use. Many of the customers we have here at Dirty Bird Guns & Ammo are looking for a general purpose do-it-all type rifle. For general duty use, a combat-grade AR-15 barrel might be the right choice. These barrels offer a balance between durability and accuracy but may not be as consistent as match-grade barrels. On the other hand, match-grade AR-15 barrels are designed for precision shooting but typically have a shorter lifespan under hard-use conditions.
Chrome-Lined vs. Nitrided AR-15 Barrels
Another consideration is the type of barrel finish. Chrome-lining extends the life of the barrel by providing a hard, wear-resistant surface that also protects against corrosion. This makes chrome-lined AR-15 barrels ideal for high-volume shooters or those operating in harsh environments. However, the chrome-lining process can slightly reduce accuracy potential due to microscopic inconsistencies in the lining thickness. Nitrided AR-15 barrels, on the other hand, often offer slightly better accuracy until they eventually wear out. The nitriding process creates a hardened surface layer without adding material, maintaining more consistent bore dimensions. For most shooters, the difference is negligible unless you’re pushing your AR-15 barrel to its limits with aggressive firing schedules. Choose the finish that best suits your shooting habits and requirements.
For hard-use AR-15s, especially those that will experience high volumes and sustained heat, a cold hammer-forged barrel is often the preferred choice. The hammer-forging process creates a barrel that can handle heat better and typically offers greater longevity. These barrels are known for their durability, making them ideal for firearms expected to endure high round counts.
Button-cut chrome-lined barrels are also a solid option for many uses, though they may not offer the same heat resistance as their cold hammer-forged counterparts. Match-grade stainless steel barrels, while excellent for precision shooting, can suffer from rapid wear and reduced lifespan if subjected to high heat. Issues such as throat erosion and gas port erosion can arise when match barrels are used in applications outside their intended scope.
The cold hammer-forging process is less common in the U.S. due to the high cost of the required machinery. However, it’s more prevalent in European manufacturing, where its advantages in longevity and durability are widely recognized. Despite some misconceptions about accuracy, cold hammer-forged barrels can perform exceptionally well. Notably, the M24 sniper rifle used by the U.S. Army for years featured a cold hammer-forged barrel, proving that this process can produce barrels with both excellent durability and precision.
AR-15 Barrel Length and Gas System
The barrel length you choose will significantly impact your rifle’s performance characteristics. Longer barrels generally provide higher muzzle velocities and better long-range performance, while shorter AR-15 barrels offer improved maneuverability at the cost of some velocity.
Common AR-15 barrel lengths include 16″ for a versatile all-purpose rifle, 14.5″ for a more compact option (requires pinning and welding a muzzle device to be legal), and 20″ for maximum velocity and long-range performance. If this is your first AR, we think your best bet is to keep it simple and look for a 16″ barrel.
The gas system length should be matched appropriately to the barrel length. Longer gas systems generally provide a smoother recoil impulse and can extend the lifespan of internal components. For example, a 16″ AR-15 barrel typically works well with a mid-length gas system, while a 20″ AR-15 barrel is often paired with a rifle-length gas system.
AR-15 Barrel Profiles
The AR-15 barrel profile refers to its external shape and thickness along its length. Different profiles offer various balances of weight, heat dissipation, and rigidity. Common barrel profiles include, but are not limited to:
Government Profile: This is the standard profile used in many military M4 carbines, featuring a thinner profile under the handguard and a thicker profile near the muzzle.
SOCOM Profile: Similar to the Government profile but with more mass near the muzzle, designed for mounting suppressors and heavy use.
Pencil Profile: A lightweight AR-15 barrel profile that reduces overall rifle weight, ideal for builds prioritizing mobility.
Bull Profile: A heavy, uniform diameter AR-15 barrel profile that offers maximum accuracy and heat absorption at the cost of increased weight.
Fluted Profile: Features grooves cut along the length of the AR-15 barrel to reduce weight while maintaining rigidity.
Choose an AR-15 barrel profile that aligns with your intended use, considering factors like desired weight, accuracy requirements, and expected firing schedule.
Barrel Twist Rate
The twist rate of a barrel is a crucial factor that affects the rifle’s ability to stabilize different bullet weights. It’s expressed as a ratio, such as 1:7, which means the bullet will complete one full rotation every 7 inches of barrel length. Common twist rates for AR-15 barrels include:
1:7 – This faster twist rate is ideal for heavier bullets (69 grains and up), making it versatile for a wide range of applications including long-range shooting. This is the twist we’ve been going with for our defensive ARs, as we know that our go-to self-defense ammo is 75 to 77 grain.
1:8 – A good all-around twist rate that can stabilize most common bullet weights, from 55 to 77 grains.
1:9 – Better suited for lighter bullets up to about 69 grains, which is fine for most general-purpose shooting.
Choose an AR-15 barrel twist rate that matches the ammunition you plan to use most frequently. If you’re unsure or plan to use a variety of ammunition, a 1:8 twist offers a good balance of versatility.
Research and Ask Questions About Barrels
When selecting a barrel brand, do thorough research. Check for details on gas port sizes, gas block journals, base metals, thread pitch, and gas system lengths. A reputable barrel manufacturer should be able to answer questions about their barrels. If they can’t, consider it a red flag. Don’t ever forget that the barrel + bolt is the heart of your rifle, and its worth the time to do the extra research needed.
Featured AR-15 Barrel Brands to Consider
Here’s a breakdown of some barrel manufacturers known for quality and performance:
Faxon Barrels
Key Profiles: Gunner, Match Series, Pencil, Fluted
Overview: Established in 1978, Faxon has a long history in various industries, including oil, gas, automotive, and aerospace. They use button rifling, an in-house process that allows them to control manufacturing quality while keeping costs down.
Why Choose Faxon: Faxon’s button rifling provides highly accurate AR-15 barrels while being an efficient process, resulting in competitive pricing. Their flagship profiles include the lightweight Pencil and the versatile Gunner, which balances weight and durability.
Ballistic Advantage
Key Profile: Hanson Profile
Overview: Known for precise attention to gas port sizing, Ballistic Advantage customizes their AR-15 barrels to suit different setups. Their Hanson Profile barrels feature a shoulderless design that helps reduce barrel whip for improved accuracy.
Why Choose Ballistic Advantage: They meticulously size gas ports for optimal performance and focus on ensuring that their AR-15 barrels function reliably, whether used suppressed or unsuppressed.
Rosco Manufacturing
Key Series: Bloodline, Purebred, K9
Overview: Rosco manufactures its AR-15 barrels from scratch, with strict quality control at every step. They offer various barrel lines, including the durable Bloodline made from 4150 chrome moly vanadium and the Purebred series for those seeking maximum accuracy.
Why Choose Rosco: Their commitment to quality control and US-made products makes them a trustworthy option. Their K9 series offers a combination of a nitride finish with stainless steel construction, providing both durability and precision.
Proof Research
Key Feature: Carbon Fiber Wrapped Barrels
Overview: Proof Research uses a proprietary carbon blend to wrap their AR-15 barrels, resulting in lightweight barrels with superior accuracy, durability, and thermal performance.
Why Choose Proof Research: If you want a lightweight yet highly accurate AR-15 barrel, Proof’s carbon fiber technology offers the stiffness of a heavy target barrel while maintaining the weight of a pencil profile.
Criterion Barrels
Overview: Known for producing match-grade AR-15 barrels with tight tolerances, Criterion barrels are well-regarded by competition shooters. These barrels are focused on accuracy and should be considered for precision shooting.
Why Choose Criterion: They offer high-quality, match-grade AR-15 barrels ideal for those prioritizing accuracy.
Centurion Arms
Overview: Centurion produces hammer-forged AR-15 barrels designed for hard use. Although they come at a higher price due to the forging process, they are backed by excellent customer service.
Why Choose Centurion: Ideal for those needing a durable, reliable AR-15 barrel for heavy use.
Sons of Liberty Gun Works (SOLGW)
Overview: Sons of Liberty Gun Works is known for producing high-quality, combat-ready AR-15 barrels. They focus on durability and reliability, making their barrels suitable for duty use and high-volume shooters. SOLGW AR-15 barrels are made from 4150 CMV (Chrome Moly Vanadium) steel and are chrome lined for increased durability and corrosion resistance. They feature properly staked gas blocks for enhanced reliability and are available in various lengths and gas system configurations.
Why Choose SOLGW: Their AR-15 barrels are designed with a focus on real-world performance and reliability. SOLGW is known for their rigorous quality control and their barrels are favored by many professional users. They offer a lifetime warranty on their AR-15 barrels, demonstrating confidence in their product’s durability.
Final Thoughts on AR-15 Barrels
Selecting the right AR-15 barrel involves understanding your rifle’s purpose and the features that matter most for your intended use. Be prepared to research, ask questions, and invest in quality components. By doing so, you’ll ensure a build that meets your expectations in both performance and reliability.
This article is part of a series by Dirty Bird Guns and Ammo, aimed at guiding AR-15 builders through the process of selecting components, with a focus on AR-15 barrels.