Looking for a Second Opinion on Quality of This AR Barrel

[MRE Milkshake]

DoubleStar AR-15 5.56 NATO 16" 1x7 DS-4 Chrome Lined Gov't Barrel w/Forged Sight Base AR560CL

DoubleStar AR-15 5.56 NATO 16" 1x7 DS-4 Chrome Lined Gov't Barrel w/Forged Sight Base AR560CL

www.cheaperthandirt.com

I checked out this barrel and am interested in buying it, I did a little research and the company is reputable and I don't see anything that could be wrong with the barrel. Anybody have any second opinions on its quality and/or experiences with barrels from this company?

 

[bwframe]

I cannot help with the barrel specifically.

My is on Cheaper Than Dirt. I'd much rather any gun owner not patronize them. They are famous for severe price gouging during shortages.


.

 

[Leo]

You can never count on premium quality when spending discount price. That said I have seen lower range, like Shaw barrels that shoot pretty well, but I have also seen them be marginal. None of them stacked up to something like a Douglas Ultra Match barrel.

You have to define your use. A reliable barrel that shoots combat rifle groups may be acceptable. If you are wanting premium accuracy, cheaper than dirt is not your vendor

 

[jdeanp]

Found this with just a quick search. I haven't kept up with barrel reviews much lately, but BA stuff usually gets favorable reports. This one doesn't have the FSB, but those are easy enough to install.

$105.95

BABL556014M - Ballistic Advantage 16 5.56 M4 Profile Carbine AR-15 Barrel, Modern Series - AR15Discounts

This 16” M4 QPQ Corrosion Resistant barrel from Ballistic Advantage is chambered in 5.56 NATO with 1-7 twist rate. Buy with confidence, all barrels are backed by our satisfaction and low price guarantee. Get it now!

ar15discounts.com

 

[rooster]

IMO everyone gets hung up on “quality” of barrels.

Are you shooting long range? Are you planning on running 10k rounds through your AR? Are you planning to run full auto or mag dump all the time?

If your gonna shoot close range,run 500 rounds through it one at a time slowly and then let it sit and gather dust………

Barrel “quality” perceptions in AR’s are also heavily influenced by accuracy which in dependent on how you install it. You could have the best barrel in the world but if you don’t lap the face when you install and you under or over torque it you may just as well have bought a bear armory built upper.

(Disclaimer: I own a bear creek armory 350 upper, runs good and is definitely accurate enough for an indiana deer rifle)

 

[bobjones223]

IMO everyone gets hung up on “quality” of barrels.

Are you shooting long range? Are you planning on running 10k rounds through your AR? Are you planning to run full auto or mag dump all the time?

If your gonna shoot close range,run 500 rounds through it one at a time slowly and then let it sit and gather dust………

Barrel “quality” perceptions in AR’s are also heavily influenced by accuracy which in dependent on how you install it. You could have the best barrel in the world but if you don’t lap the face when you install and you under or over torque it you may just as well have bought a bear armory built upper.

(Disclaimer: I own a bear creek armory 350 upper, runs good and is definitely accurate enough for an indiana deer rifle)

+1 on the BCA uppers.

I have a 10.5" 7.62X39 upper from BCA that I use with a brace on public land for deer (it is legal because it is a "pistol") and it will hit Lifesavers all day at 50yd with cheap steel cased crap. Sub MOA with quality hunting rounds.

I also agree some people get so hung up on putting the most expensive stuff into their AR's. If that is your thing then you do you but I cannot wrap my head around it.

If it is purpose built for long range and you do that a LOT I can see spending the extra for a few choice parts that will help but "most" people will not see the benefit of spending the extra $$

 

[bwframe]

My limited experience has been that cheap ammo vs quality ammo can make a noticeable difference on accuracy, at least out of my stock Palmetto pencil barrel.

 

[Mgderf]

There are scores of "premium" AR-15 barrel makers out there.
As stated above, with AR barrels, as a rule, "you get what you pay for."

There are exceptions of course, like the over-priced stuff CTD carries.

I have one AR barrel from these people,
www.dezarms.com
It's a nice barrel, and it shoots well for me.

 

[55fairlane]

Minute of person or match rifle.....you get what you pay for, the better question is, at this price point will this "widget " satisfy my goal?
Chances are if this is a plinker/home defense gun....and using plain cheap 55 ammo, you will be very happy.....if this is going into your match rifle your not gonna be happy.
In this day or non corrosive ammo, why bother with a chromed barrel?

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

JAGA thread

 

[Indiana_Jeff]

+1 on the BCA uppers.

I have a 10.5" 7.62X39 upper from BCA that I use with a brace on public land for deer (it is legal because it is a "pistol") and it will hit Lifesavers all day at 50yd with cheap steel cased crap. Sub MOA with quality hunting rounds.

I also agree some people get so hung up on putting the most expensive stuff into their AR's. If that is your thing then you do you but I cannot wrap my head around it.

If it is purpose built for long range and you do that a LOT I can see spending the extra for a few choice parts that will help but "most" people will not see the benefit of spending the extra $$

Thank you for your posting. It's high time most AR builders accept that the core design is for a combat rifle and is not inherently the foundation for a Match Rifle without major investment. For most plinking, hunting, and self defense uses, we all should follow a "Good enough is best." approach. There's little benefit to putting a $500+ barrel on a $300 AR for most users.

 

[Robert Richardson]

Gun owners can be the some of the most tightassed people in the world or, just the opposite.

 

[GregoryRomeu]

Realize that if there were ANY issues wi

DoubleStar AR-15 5.56 NATO 16" 1x7 DS-4 Chrome Lined Gov't Barrel w/Forged Sight Base AR560CL

DoubleStar AR-15 5.56 NATO 16" 1x7 DS-4 Chrome Lined Gov't Barrel w/Forged Sight Base AR560CL

www.cheaperthandirt.com

I checked out this barrel and am interested in buying it, I did a little research and the company is reputable and I don't see anything that could be wrong with the barrel. Anybody have any second opinions on its quality and/or experiences with barrels from this company?

Realize that if there were ANY issues with gun parts manufactured in the U.S. THAT particular company would be shut down or bankrupted by lawsuits.

Also realize the U.S. Government buys it's barrels and parts through the cheapest vendor possible to supply the U.S. military. So do MANY home gun builders. (I'm one of them).

With having over 40 builds under my belt and years of gunsmithing, I have used barrels from all manufacturers that offer the best prices. I have built .350 Legends, 300 Blackouts, 7.62 x 39 AR's, 7.62 x 51's and of course 5.56's. ALL shoot very well. The 350's and 7.62 x 51's (.308's) will easily punch out to 800-1,000 meters, all others I have no problems with tight groupings and head shots at 100 - 200 yards.

Personally? I use Bear Creek Arsenal and Primary Arms for the majority of a slew of various manufacturers of barrels. Just follow the instructions, be safe and get out there and MAKE SOME NOISE!

 

[GregoryRomeu]

Minute of person or match rifle.....you get what you pay for, the better question is, at this price point will this "widget " satisfy my goal?
Chances are if this is a plinker/home defense gun....and using plain cheap 55 ammo, you will be very happy.....if this is going into your match rifle your not gonna be happy.
In this day or non corrosive ammo, why bother with a chromed barrel?

Because they are just as inexpensive and VERY COMMON? https://www.primaryarms.com/expo-ar...me-lined-ar15-barrel-gov-profile-midlength-16

 

[GregoryRomeu]

"A reliable barrel that shoots combat rifle groups may be acceptable." 500 yards with only iron sights, ALL DAY LONG with cheap government USMC barrels.

 

[GregoryRomeu]

What do you call, "

Thank you for your posting. It's high time most AR builders accept that the core design is for a combat rifle and is not inherently the foundation for a Match Rifle without major investment. For most plinking, hunting, and self defense uses, we all should follow a "Good enough is best." approach. There's little benefit to putting a $500+ barrel on a $300 AR for most users.

NOTE: The upper photo is through a rifle scope. The bottom photo is through iron sights. Just WHAT are you calling, "MATCH"?

 

[Leo]

I have shot against the USMC, Army Marksmanship and other service members at the Nationals at Camp Perry. Even earned part of my Distinguished points there. Trust me, NONE of them are shooting random issue rifles out of the rack, or combat ammo. But they are Service rifles. VERY perfected service rifles. The Military team armorers are not pulling barrels out of a bin either. No scopes in my day.

Any shooter on a military team is Excellent, the best of the best. They are highly disciplined and well trained by the best of the best coaches. Of course they are not trying to raise a wife and kids, build their own rifle and load their own ammo for the weekend either. Shooting rifle matches is their life.

BTW, one of the two 1000 yard National Matches at Camp Perry allows an "any sight" option. I bought a good scope, the tapered base, and got it set for 1000 yards with 175 grain Sierra MatchKing bullets on my Palma rifle. I scored exactly the same Master Class score as with my iron sights. I never used a scope at Camp Perry after that. At 1K reading the wind is everything, if it was not for the wind, any fresh sharpshooter class competitor could lay on the mat and beat up the ten ring at 1K.

 

[tcecil88]

I have barrels from Classic Arms, BCA, AR Stoner, KAK Industries, Anderson & Ballistic Advantage in my builds. The Ballistic Advantage barrels are the best fitting and most consistent of the lot. Accuracy is great out of all of them, with no real edge to any of them. If I was to recommend any manufacturer of my barrel selection, it would be Ballistic Advantage.
I have always been amazed at how much people will spend on a build. Tailor your build to your needs and budget and don't get sucked into the mind set of if it costs more it has to be better quality.

 

[GregoryRomeu]

I have shot against the USMC, Army Marksmanship and other service members at the Nationals at Camp Perry. Even earned part of my Distinguished points there. Trust me, NONE of them are shooting random issue rifles out of the rack, or combat ammo. But they are Service rifles. VERY perfected service rifles. The Military team armorers are not pulling barrels out of a bin either. No scopes in my day.

Any shooter on a military team is Excellent, the best of the best. They are highly disciplined and well trained by the best of the best coaches.

When nobody is shooting back at them. And you're not shooting MATCH with iron sights.

 

[GregoryRomeu]

Only when nobody is shooting back at them.

I also worked at Camp Perry. Ask the Big Dog in the Tower or those that are running the NRA Range Safety Officers about who I am. I was the ONLY Range Safety Officer in CMP history to become a Block Officer within 3 days, not the typical 2 years waiting period and good graces to get that position.