Barrel Question

[marlow1024]

I am looking at upgrading the barrel on my MP sport II. Looking on suggestions on a great barrel and why you recommend it. Thank you for help in advance. I mainly just shoot this gun on the weekend or occasional trip to the range.

 

[cyphertext]

Why are you wanting to change the barrel? What does the current barrel not do for you? Are you wanting a different length barrel? Different gas length setup? Different twist rate?

 

[Scotiapilot]

I am looking at upgrading the barrel on my MP sport II. Looking on suggestions on a great barrel and why you recommend it. Thank you for help in advance. I mainly just shoot this gun on the weekend or occasional trip to the range.

Gotta give more information. hard to give advice

 

[marlow1024]

Sorry guys. I am looking to slowly upgrade to longer lasting parts. I intend on shooting more and more this winter and what I've read a stock barrel is good for 8-15k rounds and i'm roughly 12k now.

 

[Scotiapilot]

Sorry guys. I am looking to slowly upgrade to longer lasting parts. I intend on shooting more and more this winter and what I've read a stock barrel is good for 8-15k rounds and i'm roughly 12k now.

if the bore/rifling is good then I wouldn't replace it.

As for barrels, MY opinion is i'd stick with mil spec Colt production or SW production. Maybe even go midlength.

its a slippery slope when you look at all the available options. Kid in a candy store. I have an M16 with a 7.5 inch that has close to 70K+ rounds and still with iron sights will ring a gong at 300 yards. I have melted several gas tubes doing beta mag dumps too.

I say the above because you can never really tell how long a barrel will last.

What are your first thoughts on a new barrel?

 

[cyphertext]

Agree with Scotiapilot... if accuracy is still there, no reason to replace it... However, if you do want to replace it and the current config works for you, my first call would be to S&W to see about getting a like for like replacement.

If not, then you will have to decide on all the variables and narrow it down to what you want. Colt, BCM, or Faxon would be my starting point...

 

[marlow1024]

Still straight as can be. I just like to fix things before they fail. Thank yall for the info. When I do I am thinking about a colt forged but didn't know a whole lot about them.

 

[Scotiapilot]

Still straight as can be. I just like to fix things before they fail. Thank yall for the info. When I do I am thinking about a colt forged but didn't know a whole lot about them.

Unless your are scoping and doing long range stuff. A standard colt barrel will be great. I think the better thought would be the style you want. I know lots of guys like the M4 cut but I never really could appreciate it. Don't get me wrong it looks very cool but I do like simplicity and YMMV.

I have been shocked by the SW barrels. They are amazing and for me they shoot better or as good as any Colt. But keep this in mind. Most shooters will never get the best of a barrels accuracy. It usually if not always a shooter issue.

 

[Shoo2tr]

I'm with the others if it's not shot out at this point keep enjoying it, however, with an eye to the future I'm a fan of the Ballistic Advantage Premium Series barrels.

With the Premium series you get a mid-length gas system with a pinned BA gas block included. You also get the Hanson profile and the .223 Wylde chambering- in my opinion an upgrade from 5.56 NATO. I just finished a lightweight build using the .625 barrel and it is impressive. These are great barrels with a Sub MOA guarantee with appropriate ammo. The twist rate is 1:8.

Granite Ridge Outfitters is selling these barrels along with a VG6 muzzle device of your choice for $199 shipped to your door. This deal was a no-brainer for my build. Faxon are also good barrels, I used one in my 9mm build but I'm really impressed with BA as far as the quality and features you get for the $.

 

[MichiganScott]

Sorry guys. I am looking to slowly upgrade to longer lasting parts. I intend on shooting more and more this winter and what I've read a stock barrel is good for 8-15k rounds and i'm roughly 12k now.

If that is the case, wear the Sport barrel out first, then replace it. No reason to replace the barrel until the OEM barrel is toast.

 

[Rastoff]

I intend on shooting more and more this winter and what I've read a stock barrel is good for 8-15k rounds and i'm roughly 12k now.

Don't replace your barrel until the rounds start key-holing or your group size doubles.

However, your intention is correct. Have the replacement, and necessary tools, on hand for that eventuality.

I highly recommend this barrel: PSA 16" Mid-Length 4150V Nitride 1/8 with "5.56 NATO 1/8 FREEDOM" Barrel - 516445672

It's inexpensive and just as nice as the factory barrel. It does have a mid length gas port so, you'll need a longer gas tube and maybe a forearm if you haven't swapped out the original.

I've had great success with 1/8 twist barrels with both 55gr and 64gr rounds.

 

[hdrolling]

There are so many different directions you could go with your current platform.

You could just swap in another 5.56 barrel, maybe a different twist or length or gas system.

You could change caliber, just use a 300 blackout barrel and muzzle device and everything else stays the same except the 300 BLK ammo.

Or you could add a 6.5 grendel barrel with muzzle device and swap out your bolt with a 6.5 bolt and now you looking at hitting targets from 600-1200 yards.

There are many things you could do....

 

[agksimon]

Sorry guys. I am looking to slowly upgrade to longer lasting parts. I intend on shooting more and more this winter and what I've read a stock barrel is good for 8-15k rounds and i'm roughly 12k now.

If you use cartridges with bi-metal bullets, yes, you'll wear out the rifling in 5000-8000 rounds.
If you use copper jacketed lead, it should last 40,000-50,000 rounds. Of course, the powder you use can affect lifespan too.

 

[cyphertext]

If you use cartridges with bi-metal bullets, yes, you'll wear out the rifling in 5000-8000 rounds.
If you use copper jacketed lead, it should last 40,000-50,000 rounds. Of course, the powder you use can affect lifespan too.

I shared a post a while back that showed that it is more likely the powder used in the steel cased imports than the bi-metal projectile... I'll have to look for it again... should have bookmarked it.

 

[hdwhit]

marlow 1024 wrote:
I am looking at upgrading the barrel on my MP sport II.

I am looking to slowly upgrade to longer lasting parts.

I intend on shooting more ... i'm roughly 12k now.

In a rifle that sees heavy use, you have a choice to 1) treat the barrel as a wear-item and periodically replace it, or 2) look for the longest lasting part you can find even if it costs more.

If you want durability then you need to look at the material the barrel is made from.

Most AR barrels are 4140 steel. This is a Chromium-Molybdenum-Manganese steel with a Carbon content of about 0.4%. As you noted, it is reputed to be good for about 10,000 rounds of normal use.

The military specifies 4150 steel which is chemically similar to 4140 except the Carbon content runs around 0.5%. That small difference makes a big difference in how durable the barrel is. So, if you want longer-lasting, you need to pay more for a barrel made from 4150 steel.

You may also want to consider paying even a bit more and getting a barrel that has been chrome lined which also increases durability.

 

[agksimon]

You may also want to consider paying even a bit more and getting a barrel that has been chrome lined which also increases durability.

From everything I've been able to read, there are other treatments that are just as durable as a chrome lining, without the resulting slight loss in accuracy. I can't verify this though.

 

[Slater]

Regarding barrels, what makes S&W's "5R" barrel more desirable than other configurations?

 

[Westie1]

The theory is that the 5R rifling is more accurate because it distorts the bullet less. It also reportedly makes the barrel easier to clean.

I've seen reports that the accuracy claim only truly works when shooting the typical fmj bullet. And that is due to those bullets being open based, and the lead core being partially extruded. That causes the bullet to be slightly out of balance, which effects stability.

One thing that I do know is that premium barrel makers like Shilen and Krieger don't use the 5R.

If you really want to learn about barrels, there is a series of vids on Utube that will give you more then you'll expect. The series is on Inrange tv, and is done with faxon barrels.

 

[cyphertext]

One thing that I do know is that premium barrel makers like Shilen and Krieger don't use the 5R.

You sure about that? Krieger does make 5R barrels...
Calibers and Pricing Krieger Barrels

 

[Rastoff]

You sure about that? Krieger does make 5R barrels...
Calibers and Pricing Krieger Barrels

They don't make the 5R for semi-auto barrels and we're talking about semi-auto here.