AR barrel profile?

[Patrick Henry]

I am confused by the different profiles.  I understand the M4 cut out for a grenade launcher, and a heavy barrel for improved accuracy but beyond that I cannot find on the internet an explanation of the pros and cons or design purpose of the different profiles.  Which profile(s) are good for a 16" mid-length general purpose rifle and what are their pros and cons?  Thank you.

[res308]

Well, the pros are good, and the cons are bad. Other than that I'll just sit back and watch and learn something myself. :stalk:

[Ted S.]

A lot of the profiles have to do with weight, gas port length, and heat dissipation. I'm sure you can get a guru on here to talk about barrel harmonics, but I don't know much about music.

[res308]

I do believe with a midlength profile, you need to go with a known quality manufacturer. I have read that on some midlengths there can be problems if the barrel gas port is not done exactly right. I used to have a Spikes lightweight midlength and had zero issues with it.

[Ted S.]

My Stag Model 1 had a midlength and it was overgassed, probably from an oversized port. Fixed it with an adjustable gas block.

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[TNWNGR]

Don't get to out of sorts on the barrel profile, concentrate more on the twist ratio and headspace. Monitor the leading edge wear and make certain that whatever flash suppressor/muzzle break you run fits squarley and has proper clearance for the fired projectile. Remember one of the reasons the military went with the larger OD barrel on the M-16 was soilders were bending it doing stuff they shouldn't have been doing with it. Personaly I can think of easier ways to open crates then with a rifle barrel.

Edited August 1, 2015 by TNWNGR