Pictures: "Government" Barrel vs. "Pencil" Barrel Weight Difference

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

I’m new to AR-15 builds, so please bear with me if I make any mistakes.

That being said, for those who are curious about the actual weight difference between a “government” barrel profile (also known as an A2 barrel profile) and a “pencil” barrel profile (also known as an A1 barrel profile): (EDIT: this picture/schematic isn’t mine; I found it in a Google search, but I don’t recall where)

I did an apples-to-apples comparison between two barreled upper assemblies from Palmetto State Armory (PSA). Both have 16" barrels with a midlength gas system; both have rear back-up iron sights (BUIS), bolt carrier groups (BCG), charging handles (CH), front sling swivels, and muzzle devices removed.

I know it’s an informal test at home (using a baby scale, no less), but the government/A2 style barreled upper assembly came in at 2 pounds, 13.5 ounces (sorry about the glare):

In contrast, the pencil/A1 style barreled upper assembly weighs 2 pounds, 8.0 ounces (again, sorry about the glare).

The weight difference may seem negligible, but it really does seem to assist with handling/weight perception.

But it could be all psychological…

2

The weight difference in handling is exaggerated by the leverage of having that extra weight on the end of the barrel.

3

I think you’ve got a solid point. It’s only 5.5 ounces, but it’s forward of the center of gravity, so physics!

4

Yea, 5-6 ounces in front of the sight is a ton. BTW, I wonder if his wife knows he is weighing gun stuff on the baby scale?

5

The FSP location on a midlength does throw the balance away forward.

The BCM ELW barrels are beautiful!

6

The difference in moment is approximately 60 in/oz, or about 4 in/lbs.

7

Yeah but the major point is what does that extra 6 oz in front of the FSP gain you, not a f’ng thing, move it back under the hand guards and it adds heat sink out front it does nothing except spoil balance. What makes sense is a SOCOM profile under handguards and a pencil front end but does anyone make that profile, h@ll no. Rant off.

8

100% agreed. I make this very point in pretty much every barrel video on my channel. Problem is, most consumers have no idea what a “barrel profile” is never mind which is best nor why it is so.

9

That style of tapered profile has been made, but it doesn’t sell well.

OP- Your pics? Or does that first one belong to someone else?

10

Yes, first picture is not mine, but was taken from a Google Images search. If I’m violating copyright or trademark, I’m sorry and will delete it.

11

At a minimum you should have quoted where you got it from, and not just Google, but the actual website or individual you are taking from. Yes you are violating copyright, but there is a multipronged portion that needs to be met for financial compensation to be involved and the arguement could be made you are trying to be educational.

In short, just say when it isn’t yours and list who it belongs to. That keeps it easy since you aren’t trying to sell anything or make money off the work of someone else.