Alright guys, I recently posted a thread here about “YHM barrel vs. BCM” because I am planning to replace my 16" Bushmaster Heavy Barrel. I am set to get the BCM now. I would like to place the order tomorrow (Pay day) but I am torn between the standard M4 barrel and the M4 SOCOM barrel. I want a 16" barrel that is lighter than my HBAR but I also want it to be a heavy duty barrel. I am slightly leaning towards the SOCOM barrel but I am afraid that it might not make a difference on weight compare to my HBAR since I dont know the weight of my Barrel alone. I need some input / opinion from you guys who might have experience with these barrels. My AR-15 is my SHTF and target shooting rifle, just FYI.
Any input and opinions will be greatly appreciated
If you use automatic fire or lots of mag dumps a socom barrel may benefit you as they do not heat up as fast as a gov profile barrel. Excess heating of the barrel will cause the rifling in the barrel to fail. Accuracy is about the same between the two barrels. Lots of reading on the subject with some research.
All things being equal midlenght is generally considered to run a little cooler and softer than a carbine length system. Owning both I prefer my middy because it does feel softer to me. Also, I am running a FSB on my and the extra length in the handguard is also nicer for me too.
On a side note. What is the exact weight difference between a 16 inch BCM light weight barrel, standard, and the Socom? I’ve looked in the past and have seen some rather varying answers, ranging from about a 4 ounce difference between each one with the socom being about half a pound heavier than a light weight, up to nigh on a pound (10-12 ounces) variance between a standard and a socom. Only reason I ask is there is a guy who has a socom upper for sale local that keeps calling me and with tax returns and all I keep think my other BCM is getting lonely
I have been reading a lot about the Mid-length vs Carbine length gas systems, and my understanding is that the Mid-length gas system reduces the gas pressure going back to the BCG so the action is somewhat smoother and less felt recoil. I am really not worry about the length of the handguard and sight radius because I already have a 10" free floating hand guard. I am more concern about the reliability of these gas systems. I have my AR with carbine gas system for a few years now it never ever gave me a single problem. I would like to know if the middy is just as reliable as the carbine system as far as cycling the round. it’s nice to have smoother / lighter action of middy but I want to make sure that it would cycle 100% even if it has less pressure going back to the BCG. I also would like my AR to eat just about any types of 5.56/223 ammo I feed her just like it is now. If Middy is just as 100% reliable as Carbine length, then I may just have to order a mid length gas system barrel. but I would like to hear from you folks who have more experience with middy vs carbine
i think it may also depend on what kind of shooting you’re planning on doing. mid’s shoot softer but known to be slower too but if you’re popping off at semi-auto then it doesnt matter too much(?)
From my experiences the mid length is just as reliable as a carbine if not more so. Also the mid length has less harsh recoil which means your parts will not wear out as quickly as a carbine length due to less harsh recoil. After shooting carbine length in the service and when i 1st got out I tried a buddy o f mines mid length and have not went back. I have also heard from reliable sources that the mid length aids in extraction because it maybe a millisecond slower than carbine I have never been able to confirm that.
I know a 16" mid gov’t is about 4oz heavier than a LW. That’s 4oz from the FSB to the muzzle.
A socom is gonna be another 4-5oz added under the handguard.
I’ve had all of 'em and a 16" mid gov’t handles about like a 14.5" socom, maybe just a tad more clumsy.
I really prefer a LW barrel, I haven’t realized any benefit to the gov’t profile and the socom I had was accurate, but I had to bench rest it to get the accuracy.
I say neither. Get the 16" LW or regular mid-length and don’t look back. After you start hanging lights, optics, ammo, and such on the rifle, the weight starts to add up quick.
There are PLENTY of mid-length threads here to answer your questions about them. In a nutshell, they are great. I have three.
A properly gassed 16 carbine is not a problem. The Middy came about because of all the junk manufacturers dumping crap, oversized port barrels on the market for years. And an overgassed barrel with the duell time of a 16 carbean is one of the worst possible combinations.
I’ve since rolled out a few NICE 16" carbine gassed guns that run like rifles… 2 Bergara barrels to be specific. When you get the port size right, the gas system’s length is less critical.
I run a 14.5 SOCOM because light weight barrels are useless to me. Light weight obsession has lead to some of the stupidest gun products ever. Carbon-15, Kel Tec ANYTHING, gay tube handguard match homo guns, etc. I’m not sure what long marches all these light weight fags are going on… Walk for the cure or some shit? But I suspect most are driving to a range and not much more than that. :sarcastic:
