These Amazing CHF barrels are extremely durable with a 20,000+ round service life. These CHF barrels are turned to ST’s New Optimum barrel Profile. This New profile is lighter than government profile but beefier than a lightweight profile, it’s an “Optimum” profile. It weighs 26.4oz with M4 Barrel extension and no FSB on the 16" Barrel. The barrels have a .750" gas block seat with a properly sized gas port and the muzzle is threaded perfectly concentric to the Bore with 1/2x28 threads. These CHF barrels are made to the Mil-Spec for the M249 SAW. The Cold Hammer Forging process Work Hardens the steel around a rifled mandrel, which creates the lands and grooves. These barrels are chambered in 5.56 NATO, with a 1/7 Twist Rate. The barrel blanks are the correct Certified CMV material and they are also Hard Chrome lined to the M249 SAW Mil-Spec, which is almost twice as thick as the Hard Chrome on a Mil-Spec M4. The End Result is a Rifle that can be Run Hard Day after Day! Each barrel is HPT and MPI. They have Mil-Spec M4 barrel extensions, Mil-Spec Phosphate finish on the outside (under the front sight base as well).
I got offered this barrel, does anyone have any pros or cons?
They are excellent barrels. I’ve built quite a few rifles with them and all have been great shooters. They are the perfect profile imo, not too thin, but not too heavy.
I’m running one on my 16" rifle. It’s a definitely of good quality and a good shooting barrel.
Pros:
Quality barrel
Accurate with anything I’ve put through it (~1.5 MOA with XM193 / M855 / and my own reloads using 55gr Hornadys).
The barrel profile is in between a lightweight pencil barrel and a gov. profile barrel. I’m a fan of it. Seems to be a good ‘just about right’ barrel profiile and weight.
Price was great when I bought mine ($150 introductory price when they first came out).
Feed ramps lined up perfectly with the BCM stripped upper I used.
Cons:
None that I can see other than some here people don’t care for Spikes as a business.
I can’t say anything for the claimed longevity of the barrel as I only have about 5000 rounds through mine.
Their FN barrel was shot out by 6,000 rounds when subjected to a heavy firing schedule of ammo. That said I am not a Spikes fan due to the owners childish behavior towards other industry professionals over on TOS and his claims of the SEALs and numerous other SoF using their rifles.
I wonder if the claimed 20,000 rd. barrel life is shooting copper jacketed bullets vs the bi-metals? Is that FN or Spikes claim?Although I’ve yet to take a carbine course, I haven’t experienced any problems out of my 16 in. Spikes Optimum FN midlength upper shooting a mix of Federal, PMC, or various Russian steel cased ammo. It really is an accurate and light barrel.
In the middle of the article/test, the Tula Bushmaster was switched with a Spikes FN barreled Midlength. And the test continued with Tulammo until it started keyholing around the 6000 mark.
It was made by FN who is known for turning out good barrels. I wouldn’t get wrapped around the axle about claimed barrel life, it means about as much as mileage claims on a tire- it varies according to conditions
Thanks guys, good info, I am being offered this barrel for $200 “used” with no more than 300 rounds through it. Funny thing is I called spikes tactical because the barrel that I have in hand does not say “M249” on it, spikes tactical said Per FN they can’t Mark that on the barrel anymore. Barrel Mark: FN DIN 21CrMoV511 CHF 5.56 NATO 1/7 CL HP MP
Aim had them few days ago for $269. Ordered one right away. And the next morning they emailed and offered me $40 off due to minor scratches or dents on it. But they assured me that it is still functions 100% and unnoticeable inside the rail.
I don’t mind and took the offer. Still waiting for the shipping confirmation.
I have 3 of these barrels by FN, two in 14.5" Mid and one 16" midlength, and while none of them has over 1000 rounds through them, they all worked great right out of the box with Wolf and XM193. Mine are older, still marked M249, though I can see why they might not anymore. I get that Spike’s may have a tarnished rep with some people, but it’s not for these FN barrels.
As companies go, well, Spike’s Tactical honored my original $55-each dealer price purchase order for forged lower receivers in the middle of the 2012/2013 Gunpocalypse. The gun store I was buying merchandise for was very happy to have lowers at that price, right at Christmas time. Spike’s was selling them to dealers for more at that point, but they honored the $55 listed price from when I ordered them. That’s good business in my book, even though it took them a while to fill the order.
I’m a big fan of FN hammer forged barrels. I think I’m into my fourth or fifth one.
I’m much less a fan of companies who thing ‘marketing’ means trash talking the competition. This has caused me to see nothing but man-parts when I look at their logo; and since I disdain both shit talking shills and dicks on my rifles, I get my FN barrels from elsewhere.
