IG,
Any updates on these? I read on JTT that the 11.5" are coming out next week. I look forward to a 16" lightweight melonited and the 18.5" stainless.
Barrels are in final process of finishing, laser engraving, etc… Some of the barrels will be made available soon. We are just checking the numbers and making sure we have what is needed for the police dept. orders.
Hopefully you guys decide to keep the 16" CL mid length that I’ve been testing for a few months now.
I hope to perform some 750yd testing with it in the near future, and conclude my overall thoughts and evaluation of it. After 1k of shooting with 10+ types of different ammo, it’s been flawless and held everything within a 3MOA/10rd/100yd group standard. Zero malfunctions during the testings thus far as well.
I put that barrel model in the exact same category with the new ALG EMR rail…incredible bang for the buck. I’m not sure there is a better serious/hard use barrel or rail for the dollar than the SIONICS 16" CL, or the EMR rail.
Alex,
Absolutely we are keeping it. We just tried to diversify the product line and give people some other options. I will have a chance to shoot the 11.5" next week at the Scottsdale Gun Club anniversary sale.
I just saw a post on JTT today about the 11.5" barrels. It mentioned a choice between chrome or melonite, that’s pretty awesome. I’d love to get my hands on a nice 12.5" melonited barrel some day when I get back to a free state- but I suppose I could settle for 11.5"
That’s excellent news for the AR community. Hopefully in time people will realize the copious amount of bang for your buck in both the SIONICS barrels (given they hold the general same price point), and the EMR which will only be getting cheaper w/ the new M-Lok design.
The SIONICS 16" CL mid length med. contoured barrel thus far is every bit as accurate, reliable, and well crafted as my LMT/Mike Rock 16" CL mid length med. contoured barrel in terms of an apple to apple comparison. The SIONICS barrel is over $100 cheaper.
Are there any plans to do a LW barrel in midlength?
I think some T&E barrels may be available. I will have some more info next week as I will be starting the builds on the Axelson Tactical Commemorative SPR’s and other stuff.
I appreciate you keeping us informed about this and I’ll keep an eye on the Sionics site.
I forgot to revisit this thread and say thank you IG for the update. Also thank you TRIDENT82 for your test of the 16" CL mid; that put Sionics barrels on my radar in the first place for my next build. I still might hold out for a BCM ELW BHF, though I’d like to see what Sionics has cooking and how much I can save with them.
For what it’s worth to everyone, I purchased a Sionics barrel for a build using a MUR, chainsaw Noveske FFL and an NSR. I have run 400 rounds through it to date of various ammo and I am impressed. I will do a full review and write up soon. I will purchase an 11.5" when they become available for my SBR. Great value!
I was able to shoot the midlength 16" LW Melonite barrel and I was pretty damn happy to say the least. We only had a 25 yard range to use on the fly, but it was very good to say the least. Combined with the Midwest 15" Key Mod rail it was a very light and balanced 6 lb. approximate carbine.
You need to bring stuff like that out and let us run full house work ups on it. Hand loads, chrono data, everthing.
New barrels and uppers are here.
16" 1/8 LW Melonite midlength barrels.
11.5" 1/7 chrome-lined barrels (stripped and FSB) and Melonite barrels.
11.5" Geissele MK3 Upper Receiver Group with choice of barrel (chrome-lined or Melonite).
IG why the Melonite on the LW barrels instead of chrome?
We wanted to offer something different. Initial testing is showing it to shoot good.
I could use another lite weight. The website says it has a .750 gas journal. The pic looks like a .625, is the website correct? I’m talking about the 16" melonited pencil to be clear.
Edit: Disregard the website is wrong. Also says it is chrome lined.
Thx for the heads up. Will order one.
The web guy wasn’t paying attention and we are getting with him in the AM to make the corrections. They are correct .625 with Melonite.
Is the weight posted on the site correct? 29oz sounds heavy for a .625 pencil. GH
Corrected specs are online for the 16" LW:
11595E CMV 4150 Steel
M4 Barrel Extension
5.56mm NATO Chamber
1/8 Twist Rate
.625 Gas Block
Light Weight Contour
Melonite Finish
Standard 1/2X28 Muzzle Threading
Mid-Length Gas System
X-Rayed and MP Inspected
Barrel Weight - 1 lb. 6 oz.
This barrel might be lighter than BCM’s 16" ELW (1 lb, 6.74 oz) and closer to the fluted ELW (1 lb, 6.21 oz). BCM’s 16" Standard LW Middy is about 1 lb, 8 oz.
I think this is the best value in quality 16" barrels today. For example, the BCM ELW is almost $50 more and isn’t melonited (but has a theoretically superior profile). The ARP 16" LW is $20 more and weighs 3 oz more, though it has a Wylde chamber. I tried a Brownells 16" LW melonited barrel but the gas port was so huge, I returned it.
I might have missed it - are all Sionics barrels dimpled for gas block set screws?
Interesting sidenote - I found the 18.5" SS online; I wish Sionics would list the specs and sell them directly.
http://www.rogtac.com/upper-parts/sionics-ss18-barrel.html