Anyone else here love the thin barrel

[PKO101]

When I first purchased an AR 15 it came with an HB barrel, I was not at all impressed by it's balance. More recently I bought an AR 15, with a thin barrel otherwise known as the Vietnam barrel, which I really love the balance. Since it's been 39 years since I ETS'd out of the Army I could not remember what it felt like until I got the thin barrel version AR. Which type barrel do you prefer?

[Emptymag]

To me, a thin/lightweight barrel on an otherwise "current configuration" AR/M-forgery looks as gay as skinny tires on the back of a bright red, 1970 Chevy Camaro.




That said, the "skinny barrel" AR would handle much better.



I'd like to build a lightweight AR one day.

[RandomTask]

I like the thick barrel; much better for blasting squibs out of the way.

[Nate7667]

I like the thick barrel; much better for blasting squibs out of the way.

Im reading that sentence as: I like the heavy barrel because i can shoot a bullet out that is lodged in the barrel from the previous weak shot.

Please tell me you are joking.

[arrrrgh15]

the irony is that the m16a2 barrel profile is the same thickness under the handgaurds as the m16a1 barrel. They just fattened it up from the FSB forward.

Having stomped around the swamps and hillsides with both, the reduced weight is a plus.

I have an M16A1 upper with a new, never issued colt barrel from 1968ish on it and the side by side weight comparison to the A2 is noticable. But I'll take the 1:7 twist over the 1:12 to launch the heavier bullet.

[ungawa]

The A1 barrel, no contest. The A1 handles like a dream. The balance is incredible. It's an amazing weapon.

Of course, I use the HB to blast the shit out of it

[27hand]

Both my Bushmasters have "thin profile" bbls.

27

[joelad]

I have a 16" pencil barrel attached to an A2 upper. It's a LWRC gas piston conversion. Magpul ACS stock makes the whole thing quite handy.

[Mity2]

I have skinny barrel on both of my AR's....

I've had M4 barrel, but like OP said, thought it was not balanced well...

[Konsukah_19]

When I first purchased an AR 15 it came with an HB barrel, I was not at all impressed by it's balance. More recently I bought an AR 15, with a thin barrel otherwise known as the Vietnam barrel, which I really love the balance. Since it's been 39 years since I ETS'd out of the Army I could not remember what it felt like until I got the thin barrel version AR. Which type barrel do you prefer?

Both have their pros and cons. It would depend what I was going to be using the rifle for. Pencil barrels heat up quick, but cool down quick as well, and a heavier barrel has less barrel whip but takes longer to cool down. Quite honestly..I think it is a matter of what you prefer. But, the lighter barrel helps with the handiness of the rifle.