This is sense in barrel making. Glad somebody is breaking the conventions for better design. Taper profile is the way to go. Note to everyone comparing this to the enhanced lightweight barrels that these enhanced midweight barrels are marketed for higher rates of fire.
I agree with the taper profile is the way to go. In my mind, it’s a matter of the right tool (barrel) for the intended job. I have a need for a light weight and responsive barreled gun, and the ELW-f uppers handle this well. I also am looking for something along the lines of a REECE or a DMR gun. For this application, I would like to see BCM take this new enhanced mid weight barrel design and offer it in 16" and18" lengths. Add an option for CHF barrels and I think with this selection, BCM would soon own the barrel market!
I keep seeing the words “heavy” and “recce” thrown around alot in this thread. You do realize this barrel is the same weight as a 14.5" gov’t profile barrel right? I suppose we’ve gotten spoiled and consider the M4 profile “heavy” now-a-days. This is nothing new, Noveske did something similar with their N4 barrels except with no fluting and their taper is less pronounced.
Why? What makes you think this is a target barrel? BCM sells good stuff but in the end this is a chrome lined service grade barrel. Add 193 and a dot most of us would be happy 1.5-2" groups at 50. You might get lucky and get one that does better but I wouldn’t count on it being any more accurate than any other BCM chrome barrel.
Go to the DD website. They are now offering a 16" S2W middy. https://danieldefense.com/cold-hammer-forged-barrels/16-inch-chf-barrels/16-mid-length-1-7-s2w-profile.html
I’m joking.
Does anyone know how the 16" version compares in weight to the govt profile?
This. Commercial AR makers should have abandoned military profile barrels years ago. A tapered barrel means the metal is at the chamber end where it’s mass aids in cooling and is closer to the CG of the rifle to keep it from being muzzle heavy.
CHF barrels are over rated. CHF was developed to mass produce barrels faster and at lower cost. Makers have somehow convinced shooters they should pay more for a CHF than a button rifled barrel because it’s made for an AR
I remember hearing this at shot of 2014 I believe it was
Now that these have been out for a little while, I’d like to hear some reports.
I’m 90% sure I saw upper options with the EMW barrels awhile back, but I looked the other day and saw nothing.
6800 rounds, 5150 of which were done in 6 days during 2 separate HSP D3 Carbine Vehicle/Darkness classes. Barrel was matched to a already complete BCM Dark Bronze carbine and topped with a Leupold VX-R 1.25-4 Patrol optic. No issues at all, accuracy is better than the ELW 14.5 and Standard Profile 14.5. My 16in SS410 is still slightly more accurate but this isn’t a precision barrel, its a combat, high round count barrel that is to provide better than standard accuracy and not be effected by heat as badly as other none-taper/heavy/SOCOM barrels.
Its definitely an excellent upgrade and the weight distribution makes the gun feel more balanced that with the ELW or Standard profile barrels.
Looking forward to these barrels in 16". I can live without the fluting as well but whatever.
Glad to hear you had a good experience jw.
Good stuff Jon. Thanks! I bought one of these 14.5 uppers over the weekend and was curious about it. Somehow I completely missed the introduction and just happened to stumble across one on the BCM website. I look forward to getting mine.
I’ll be buying a 16" when they decide to make them.
Can you explain your comparison with the ELW?
Waiting for 16" as well, and hopefully eventually 20". Never liked pencil profile and gov profile is just like the government lol
I’m interested in these as well.
JW, how does it compare weight and balance wise compared to your 16" SS410?
Has anyone heard if these will be available in 11.5"?
Uh oh…might have to get one of these when 16s come out.