Would you cut a Colt barrel?

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

I have decided to do a 12.5 inch SBR. I have pretty much everything except the barrel, and availability of any quality barrels seems to be non existent.

I do however have a colt 16 inch M4 barrel that serves no purpose. Is there any reason to not have it chopped down and re threaded? My main concerns would be chrome flaking and gas port size being off, but I have no idea if those are real concerns or just paranoia.

2

I wouldn’t. There are 12.5" barrels available. Here are some 12.5" & 12.3" barrels in stock that I found.

https://criterionbarrels.com/products/ar-15/ar-15-sbr-ultralight-barrel-chrome-lined/?v=7516fd43adaa

https://www.primaryarms.com/triarc-systems-track-2.0-556-mid-length-barrel-12.5in

https://www.primaryarms.com/ballistic-advantage-modern-series-556-barrel-gov-carbine-12.5

https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/12-3-5-56-ba-hanson-carbine-length-ar-15-barrel-w-lo-pro-performance-series.html

https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/12-5-5-56-government-profile-carbine-length-ar-15-barrel-modern-series.html

3

Its just a barrel, cut away. I assume it will be cheaper then a new barrel.

4

Midway has 7 different Noveske 12.5" barrels in stock.

https://www.midwayusa.com/rifle-barrels/br?cid=23861&Length=12.5+Inches

5

I would 100% cut it down. Just remember that you will likely have to open up the gas port a tad (~0.065")…

6

I wouldn’t hesitate. I cut down a 14.5 to 10.3 and left the gas port alone and it runs fine both suppressed and unsuppressed.

7

This 100%.

Send it out to John Thomas of Retro Arms Works and you won’t be able to tell it was ever chopped. 0.065" port is about perfect on a 12.5" too. You’ll save money and have a better barrel than if you bought a similarly priced barrel.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

8

Another recommendation to send it Retro Arms Works.

You’ll have a better barrel, ported how you want it vs buying something off the shelf.

9

I would. Cr flaking is not an issue.

10

Thanks guys, I appreciate both the links to available barrels, and the advice on cutting my down. I was looking at a lot of the manufacturers website, and didn’t see them there. I honestly didn’t check some of the sites listed.

I did have my scar barrel cut down by a local shop. And they did an amazing job. But I was especially worried about the gas port on a DI gun. I think he only charges like 75 bucks. But I will look into the other recommendations given as well.

11

No only would I, I am going to. Back before thing were stupid I picked up 3 Colt barrels. I plan to cut one down to 10.3 for an MK18ish build. I already have Criterion Core for my 12.5"

12

Another vote for yes - cut a Colt 16” to 10.3 and had the port opened up. Runs great.

13

Yes. Given the shortage of barrels + the crazy prices when they are in stock, I’m actually doing this right now.

14

15

Never.

And I don’t shoot my ammo because that turns it into once fired brass instead of ammo.

I don’t shoot metal targets because it wears them out.

I never turn on my PVS because it only has 10,000 hours of life…

Did you know that magazine springs only have a limited number of cycles on them? Scary, I know.

16

Are you the guy who’s got that vintage Camero with no miles on it…

I think in this day and age good barrels are easy to come by relatively cheaply. As previously mentioned; BCM, BA, Criterion, Rosco, Etc.

17

I’m the guy who thinks mass produced consumer goods should be used for their intended purpose. They aren’t gold plated artifacts from some ancient civilization that to quote Indian Jones, “Belong in a museum”. They have a purpose, use them, when they wear out, replace them and throw that busted shit away. The purpose of rifle barrels, steel targets, ammo, mags, NODS---- is to BUILD SKILL AT ARMS. If it dies a glorious and loud death in that process, it has fulfilled it’s purpose.

18

I agree, with the caveat that like everything else there tends to be a bell curve of usability as well as purpose and need, those constantly shift and as such it can be hard for a person on a budget or someone just getting started to navigate.

19

No arguments here. My concerns were practical not because it is a magical Colt barrel. I only brought up the brand since they are known quality barrels. I figured the quality of the item in question factored into whether it was worth it or not.

20

Crane cut them all day long, it’s still a great barrel, it’s not like you’re cutting the Colt part off.