Where are all the mid-length barrels?

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

With all of the benefits of the mid-length gas system why aren’t more manufactures offering them. The only real option I can see right now (in chrome lined 1/7 16" version) is Saber Defense and those seem to be pretty scarce. I know CMMG makes that style but from what I have read throughout this forum they can be hit or miss. What gives?

2

Midlengths available right now are:

Noveske, White Oak Armament, & Sabre Defence (probably the three best available at this time.)

midlengths are also available from RRA, KAC, CMMG, LMT (on MRP), and Armalite.

3

I suppose I should clarify: government profile, 16" chrome lined. I did know about Noveske; they are a little heavy for my taste, but I heard of someone else around here with a light weight barrel of theirs. That would be perfect. The LMT MRP stuff is nice but I want to stay with the standard configuration upper. I did not know KAC made them. I have heard about the DD middy barrels but the info on those is very hard to come by it seems. I admit I do not know much about the RRA and Armalite barrels.

Thanks for the reply gotm4.

4

I spoke to ADS today and they said that their 16" middy barrels are at the chromers as we speak, so there will be another option soon.

C4

5

Now THAT is cool!

6

Do you have the specs on these? Barrel steel, twist etc? Also, I know this is a new offering from them but have you heard any long term reports (i.e. high round count) from their other products that you can form some sort of base line opinion on these barrels. I assume they will be on par with the rest of their products. BTW, I have not heard a whole lot about their other stuff either. :frowning:

Thanks for any info.

7

RRA does have a 1x9, lightweight, chrome-lined middy. It’s not 1x7 or 4150, but it is available.

-RD62

8

My 3gun rifle has a RRA chrome lined 1x9 bbl. It was an HBAR but I had Randall thin it down to .650 behind the gas block and then I Norrelled it tan.

9

My set up is similar to Robb’s but with a RRA 1/8 SS. With a 4 power ACOG it does 1 MOA till you get past 100 and thats just because I can’t do better with that magnification past that.

10

Here’s a pic of Dan the mans 3gun rifle. Same pic as his avatar.

I did the Hack-Fu gunwerks ‘shave’ on the FSB, for a low-pro pinned gas block, Randall (AR15barrels.com) reprofiled his barrel to .650 behind the gas block and bead blasted it, I installed it on Dans RRA upper using a JP VTAC rifle length tube, installed the full length top rail and the Bennie Cooley brake.

11

I too have a RRA chrome lined middy, and I had ADCO turn mine down under the handguards. It made a big difference in handling.

-RD62

12

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I will go with the Noveske and just deal with the weight.

Much appreciated.

Wes

13

Yes. Here they are:

4150
M4 Barrel Ext.
1/7 Twist
F Marked FSB
ROBAR Black oxide finish
Chrome lined

All their other products are GTG without a single return or issue.

C4

14

If you’re going to step up to a noveske you might want to look at the Krieger.
I got the 16" midlength recon and it is a tack driver.

15

I myself am planning on the 16" Sabre but yes, I’m finding they are out of stock everywhere. One place (talonarms.com) indicated they expected them in about a month, maybe less. I’m not in a huge hurry so I figure I’ll wait awhile to see if they show up in stock. Gives me more time to refine my first build plan and start gathering the other parts.
Cheers,
cc

16

Grant;

any time frame for the ADS middy’s. When do you think you will have them?

17

ADS has advised that they are chroming right now. So I think we will see them soon.

C4

18

Mine is set up similar to Dan’s and GotM4?'s only the barrel has not been turned down so its actually very heavy for a 16" gun:

It also uses the S.S. RRA but with a Weaver 1-3.5X22 Classic and a no-name mount and a custom side-charging upper.

Here is an RRA that they custom-built for officer Phil Strader in an outstanding photo that was taken by GotM4?'s wife (9x19) and later published in a major American gun publication:

-however its unconfirmed rumor that he may have since switched to a Saber Defense rifle and an Elcan scope.

19

Quick reminder on price on the ADS upper? Last time I looked middys would be same price as carbine ($525) which includes CMT or LMT BCG, SA or FA. I ordered a CMMG a few months ago ("It’ll just be another few weeks)…yeah, thowing dice…since I wanted a LW and the price was right. Now, if the ADS middy is GTG, I may have to go that direction and to heck with the extra oz. past the FS.