Heavy VS Regular AR-15 Barrels

[chasep255]

How much does getting a heavy barrel improve accuracy? I don't know if it is worth the extra weight.

[zoomie]

None. It only makes the accuracy last longer during strings of fire. Whether it's worth it depends on the use.

[Jimro]

chasepreuninger,

You've asked this before.

If you aren't kicking down doors and the first man in the stack you probably won't ever get tired from lugging around an HBAR AR-15.

Get down to a gun store and handle a couple, you'll find the one style that you like better than the rest, go with that one.

Jimro

[Water-Man]

Little to none.

[sonrider657]

Heavy barrels heat up more slowly due to the increased mass but the also cool off more slowly for the same reason.

[chasep255]

I was just thinking that maybe i should get a dissapator since it has the rifle length sights. What is the downside?

[jman841]

I have heard that Rifle length gas systems on a 16 inch barrel is not a very reliable set up. There is not enough pressure developed before the bullet leaves the barrel to reliably cycle the BCG 100% of the time. I don't have any experience with these however so maybe others will know better.

[ForneyRider]

Heavy barrel has less barrel whip.

Pencil barrel - do any of these offer better than 1.5MOA?

Standard - CQB and plinking. Handy for stalk hunting.

HBAR profile is nice for general hunting.

Bull barrel is nice for stationary hunting or bench shooting. Mine is a beast to carry around with big scope, bi-pod and 30 round mags.

[bfoosh006]

My 2 cents
The quality of the barrel is the most important part of the barrel to me. If you are looking for accuracy, free float the barrel and get a quality barrel (Krieger,Noveske...etc..) I've never been fond of heavy AR 15 barrels.

[kraigwy]

I think you need two ARs to shoot competition. I like the heavy barrel for High Power. However if you are shooting 3 gun or multi gun matches I would go for the lighter barrel like on the A1. You dont normaly shoot over 400 yards, and they are quicker and lighter.

W/the Heavy barrel on my White Oak Service Rifle, I had to put weight in the stock to balance it. Its ok for High Power but not too hot if you have do run-dodge-and-jump.

[riggins_83]

Less barrel whip and slower to heat up during high rates of firing. My policy is if it's a gun designed to be shouldered a lot, standard barrel. If it'll be shot off the bench or prone, heavy barrel.

[ISP 5353]

My heavy barrel is more accurate, but not because it is heavier. My heavy barrel is a Krieger and my other is the standard RRA.