I am looking at building a M4A1 Upper and not ready to choke-up $500.00 for a Colt14.5’’ SOCOM barrel from SAW. I would like to know if CMMG 14.5’’ SOCOM Barrel will shoot as straight and hold up like the Colt 14.5 SOCOM Model? Are they even close to compair them side by side in quailty wise?
The biggest problem that I find with CMMG barrels are VERY soft taper pins. When I use them I knock them out and replace them with Colt taper pins ($4ea from Brownells).
The Colt barrel is a superior barrel but for most people I don’t think you will see a big difference. The Colt barrel is 4150 steel I’m not sure what CMMG uses. That said other than the taper pins I haven’t had any problems with CMMG barrels.
You can always try AFCOM’s EE those Colt barrels do pop up there.
What is your intended use for this setup?
If you want virtually the same barrel at the Colt at half the price then CMMG is your answer. I too am not sure what steel CMMG uses & they will not advise the specs. CMMG makes fine barrels & I don’t think my Colt is any better quality wise.
as far as I know the LMT 4150 uppers are as close to Colt as it gets. without getting into the whole 4150 isn’t needed thing (I happen to believe 4150 is better ) he want’s as good as Colt and that’s what he want’s . Colt barrels have a rep for lasting and preforming . honestly I can’t see you doing better than the LMT upper ,no need to build one .
CMMG advertises that they use 4150 steel.
I own and plan on buying 2- more LMT Uppers,14.5’’ and 10.5’‘. I just want to own a clone M4A1 SOCOM Upper and didn’t want to pay the SAW $500.00 What I plan on doing with it , something to play with and to dicide on which upper I will use down the road when my Chief let me carry a Partol Rifle/M4GRY and it with be all LMT 14.5’’ with a extend SDI A2 Flashider.
Then CMMG is your answer since they are the only other company I know that makes SOCOM barrels. Note I said the only company I know of, I could be in error, but you can’t go wrong with a CMMG until if/when I ever start having rifle related gremlin possession. I use mine for LE work. It’s not been used as hard as my issue rifles while I was active duty mil, but it’s been used, not intentionally abused & it’s serving me very well.
As a side note, I think I’m going to buy a LMT 14.5 gov’t profile for one of my SBR lowers so I have a similar upper of what I used to carry on active duty. LMT is good stuff too from what I hear:) . I just don’t get excited about the fact LMT has gov’t contracts & owning products from such companies just for that reason. I use what I’ve found to work for me & my mission after I have my experience with a certain piece of gear.
Questions:
Who is “SAW?” Link?
Who is the OEM for the USGI M4A1 replacement bbl?
SAW = www.specializedarmament.com
Colt for replacement barrels on M4s.
A while back there was a guy on TOS selling M4A1 barrels for a decently cheap price compared to SAW, how are people able to get ahold of actual Colt barrels and sell them at that price, when SAW is about the only place to get one?
I have a Colt 14.5 SOCOM barrel on my M-4 carbine. Gad it is a wonderful piece. Spend the extra bucks if you plan on it being your main carry piece.
I have a CMMG 14.5 SOCOM and a 16inch SOCOM profile barrels and have put together 2 other 16 inch SOCOM uppers and they all shoot very well. CMMG says they are 4150 and they use U.S. Chrome for the bore and chamber. They are MP tested and 1 in 7 twist. IMHO they are good to go!
Billy
I have a Colt 10.3 and 2 CMMG 10.3’s - virtually impossible to tell part cosmetically - and they seem to shoot the same.
Thanks.
Is this the only comercial source of Colt OEM parts? At these prices you could buy some of the over engineered parts from LMT and the various custom shops. Supply and demand I guess.
By the way, what are those flat spots on the bbl for?
To allow an M203 grenade launcher to fit on it. They’re not needed on the previous lighter weight M4 profile barrels.